March 14 is recognized National Equal Pay Day, a day marked to show how far into the year a woman must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. 


Kate Philips, the co-owner and CEO of Parker Philips explained, "Research shows that women still make about $0.80 on the dollar to their white male counterparts, and that goes down for women of color. So, you know, at some point, I hope in my daughter's lifetime at least we have to get to a point where women are earning the same as men for the same jobs."

Over the past several decades, women acknowledge a lot of work has been done to level the playing field for men and women. Linda Stevenson, the Founder of ATHENA Powerlink reflected, "We've come a long way, baby. Back in the day when I was first in the work force, there was just a huge gap and we didn't know how much the guys were making, but we certainly knew they were making more than us."

Stevenson said if you are looking to start up your own business or you need help with your current business then to reach out to them to see if their resources can help you. For more information, click here.

From having an idea for a business to making in reality, groups like ATHENA Powerlink help women get the resources they need to get their business up and running.

Heidi Bemiss has learned a lot after owning and operating different businesses in Erie, she currently owns and runs The Original Popcorn House on West 8th Street. She said one of the things that's she's always remembers is the importance of work ethic. As Bemiss explained, "We work hard and we deserve to be compensated for make accomplished the same and and we're very organized. We're very ambitious, so we deserve to be compensated. We work hard and we deserve to be compensated for make accomplished the same and and we're very organized. We're very ambitious so we should be compensated just like everybody else."

Fellow businesses owner, Kate Philips said this day is not a day to compete with men, but to work together. "It's really not about competing with men. It's about uniting with men to understand that we're partners in this world and we all need to achieve and succeed for our country to move forward", said Philips.