Why Do Native Women Earn 1/3 Less Than White Males?

It all began with an unplanned visit to the Smithsonian “Girlhood (It’s Complicated)” exhibit which commemorates women suffrage and how girls changed history in the five areas of education, work, health, news and politics, and fashion. Each milestone display spoke of opportunities for girls being delayed or absent in these five key areas until there was a breakthrough. Slowly, I began to connect the dots as to why Native women are paid only 57 cents for every dollar paid to White, Non-Hispanic men.

While there were Native American women included, there were only five pieces in the entire exhibit which consisted of hundreds. So, here is my #thisiswhatyoumissedsmithsonian list! Each lady featured has broken barriers in at least one of the five exhibit key areas and made their mark within and beyond Indian Country.

“Americans have claimed girls’ bodies as community property.”

Education

Lourdes “Lulu” Pereira. Photo by Ms/Mr. Indigenous ASU Committee on Facebook.

I first heard about Lulu, now Miss Indigenous at Arizona State University, when she was fighting gender and racial discrimination at her high school graduation. She was banned from attending graduation because she wanted to wear her tribal regalia to the ceremony. This reminded me of the “Girlhood” Smithsonian exhibit and how school dress code policies are targeted primarily towards girls. Restricting the expression of young girls’ clothing, especially when it promotes their cultures, takes away their independence and identity. Since then, Lulu has been instrumental in changing policies so that school graduation dress codes are more culturally inclusive first in her own school district and now state-wide. Her advocacy and activism in academic institutions reminds us that representation does matter. Follow her journey at the Mr. and Ms. Indigenous at ASU Facebook Page.

Inspired by Lulu?

If you’re interested in starting or returning to a college experience that is culturally grounded, Tohono O’odham Community College is now extending free tuition for all Native American students affiliated with federally recognized tribes.

Work

Featured Indigenous female disrupting work barriers: Kamia Begay (Diné) of Nizhoni Soaps

Kamia Begay. Photo by Nizhoni Soaps.

Currently 13 years old, Kamia is, to our knowledge, the youngest Native girl soap boss to own three brick and mortar stores spanning across the Arizona and New Mexico state lines. I first met Kamia at the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of AZ holiday luncheon. I remember her thanking me and the other entrepreneurs for being women she could look up to as Native women business owners. I am proud of her because she had the courage to open up her brick and mortar stores during the pandemic. Her story touched a special place in my heart, too, because she’s on this business journey with her mom. You can purchase Kamia’s skincare online at www.nizhonisoaps.com or at her three stores located in Farmington, NM; Albuquerque, NM, and Mesa, AZ.

Motivated to be a boss babe like Kamia?

Follow @NativeWomenLead to learn more about funding opportunities and to be in the know about the #EqualityCantWait Challenge!

Health

Featured Indigenous female disrupting health barrier: Sareya Taylor (White Mountain Apache and Diné)

Sareya Taylor.

Sareya was the Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of Phoenix. I had the privilege of hearing her read some of her original pieces at the Heard Museum. Sareya’s warrior spirit came through as her poetic flow painted images of urban Native experiences with pride. I am inspired by Sareya’s activism and how she uses her words to bring light to silent issues that impact our communities like mental health.

Uplifted by Sareya?

Learn more about Sareya by watching the Eat, Learn, and Grow episode “Words Matter” https://youtu.be/MckpT3mnVGY

If you or someone you love is being affected by domestic violence or is in need of mental health support, please contact the Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition at www.SWIWC.org.

News + Politics

Featured Indigenous female disrupting news + politics barriers: Alyssa London (Tlingit)

Alyssa London. Photo by Tinhorn Consulting.

I first learned about Alyssa on social media as she was the first Alaskan Native to win the Miss Alaska Pageant. She was an interesting combo of Standford grad, former Microsoft employee, and Culture Story business owner. In other words, someone I’d like my little girl to know of as a fellow bi-racial Indigenous female breaking cycles. Call it “like attracting like” as I had the pleasure of getting to know Alyssa when she interviewed me at the Reservation Economic Summit and later cheering her on in person as she competed for the Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas, NV. She stunned the audience in a beautiful red Tlingit designed gown during the evening gown competition. Alyssa would later replicate the full sized dress for Barbies which she gifted to my Zoey. Her children’s book “Journey of the Freckled Indian: A Tlingit Culture Story” resonates with my daughter and I as we are also biracial. Her work reminds us how important representation is, especially for young Native girls. You can listen to Alyssa on Native America Calling and catch her as an FNX TV show host.

Want to change the narrative like Alyssa?

Learn more about Alyssa by watching the Eat, Learn, and Grow episode “Taking Risks to Follow Your Dream” https://youtu.be/FNo0Rmzpdko

Fashion

Featured Indigenous female disrupting fashion barriers: Valentina Aragon (Diné) of ACONAV

Valentina Aragon. Photo by Dotlizhi.

The blended identities and cultures of Valentina and her husband Loren (Acoma Pueblo) make ACONAV what it is. Their high-end Indigenous fashion has been recognized and featured across Indian country and beyond. ACONAV has walked the Phoenix Fashion Week, won Phoenix Fashion Designer of the Year, and a custom design has even been commissioned by Disney! “Evoking the Empowerment” of women is a conscious choice which has ripple effects into our next generations. I’m also impressed by the notion of working with your partner and mother-in-law. The success they’ve achieved is a testament to the importance of healthy relationships and kinship.

Inspired to be a fashion disruptor like Valentina?

Shop couture or ready-to-wear styles at www.aconav.com.

“American citizenship is not always desired. As members of sovereign, independent nations, American Indian families raised girls to pass on their languages, values, and traditions. In response, U.S. educators physically removed girls and boys from their homes and communities. These educators wanted to erase Indian cultures. And, yet again, the key target was girls because Anglo educators also believed girls would raise the next generation.”

This topic made me pause and give thanks and appreciate all the grandmothers who came before us to fight for saf(er) spaces in education, work, wellness, politics, and fashion. We have a ways to go, but it continues with young women like this and sharing their stories. As a mother, that’s our responsibility, just like my mother did for me. We all came from a woman and must have respect for women. No matter your gender, the way we treat and support Native women impacts our present and future as we raise the next generation.

Inspired to take action towards wage equality?