Discrimination Against Women of Color

For years before many white women left the home for the workplace, African American women worked outside the home, first as slaves and later as domestic servants. While only 37 percent of the white women were paid employees as recently as 1960, 83 percent of African American women were in the workplace, nearly one-half as maids and servants. Although far fewer African American women are currently employed as servants a large number are still relegated to low-paying jobs.

From one perspective, African American women suffer the same types of workplace discrimination as African American men :-

• Both groups are less likely than white workers to be promoted, and when they are promoted, they are more likely to have waited longer for their promotions.

• Both groups are more likely to receive lower performance evaluations.

• Both group are paid less than their white co-workers.

• Both groups are generally excluded from executive and other high-paying positions and few ever achieve senior management positions.

Similar data show that Hispanic women are paid far less than white men and women, somewhat less than African American men and women and Hispanic men.

Discrimination against women of color arises, at least in part, from the values, beliefs, and expectations of business and professional’s leaders, a great majority of whom are white males. Unless a woman of color can somehow fit herself into a mold firmly established in and created by a culture of white males she is likely to be treated as an alien in the workplace. 

Level of education does not change this women's discrimination.