Jackson, MS – March 25, 2025 – The Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable (MS BWR) proudly announces the publication of an op-ed by Mississippi State Representative Zakiya Summers in Essence.com, coinciding with Equal Pay Day. In her powerful piece, Rep. Summers shares a deeply personal account of her journey toward understanding and combating pay discrimination within the workplace.
Rep. Summers reflects on her tenure as a journalist before elected office and acknowledges the pivotal role of MS BWR Executive Director Cassandra Welchlin in her realization of systemic discrimination. "Cassandra Welchlin opened my eyes to the subtle but pervasive discrimination I faced in my previous career," remarked Rep. Summers. "Her guidance empowered me to advocate not only for myself but for all women who experience wage disparities. I am honored to work alongside her and MS BWR to create policy change rooted in equity and justice."
Equal Pay Day, observed annually on March 25th, symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. The op-ed underscores the urgent need for legislative measures to address pay equity and workplace fairness for all women, especially women of color.
"We are immensely proud of Rep. Summers for her courage in sharing her story and advocating for change," said Cassandra Welchlin, Executive Director of MS BWR. "Her voice amplifies our mission to advance economic and social justice for Black women across Mississippi and beyond."
For further insights, read Rep. Summers’ op-ed on Essence’s website here.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tomika Anderson Greene
Director of Communications
Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable
Phone: 646-387-1865
Email: tgreene@msbwr.org