Hunter McCatherine:
Working longer for the same amount of pay. Today, March 24th represents how far into the year women need to work in order to earn what men did the year prior. An Oklahoma City organization that advocates for female professionals hopes their work can help eliminate the pay gap.

Shannon Rich:
People go, “Oh, it’s a few cents.” It’s just a few cents, right? The pay gap’s 20 cents. But if you look over a lifetime for a woman, you’re talking about 25,000 gallons of gas. You’re talking about putting two kids through a state college, owning a home outright.

Hunter McCatherine:
Shannon Ridge is the founder of Leaderboard, the only woman-owned online ranking service listing the top five female professionals in five career categories per city. Insurance agent Amy Spring making the Oklahoma City list.

Amy Spring:
I’ve very surprised that I’ve had so many people I haven’t seen or talked to in a very long time that have reached out to me and said, “Oh, my gosh. Congratulations. I didn’t know you were doing this or I didn’t know that’s exactly what your profession was. And can you help me with my business?” So it’s been a boost.

Hunter McCatherine:
Spring saying this kind of referral source has been needed for women for a while and had sparked a new fire in her.

Amy Spring:
Getting the recognition from Leaderboard, it has also given me the push that I needed to put myself more out there for my business, and also to encourage me to work harder for both my clientele and also for the community of Oklahoma City.

Shannon Rich:
We have to find a way to help each other, lift each other up, and talk about women in the workforce.

Hunter McCatherine:
Ridge says ensuring women have a seat at the table and a voice in the decision-making process will help bridge the wage gap.

Shannon Rich:
Whether you’re a CEO, whether you are an HR manager, everybody has an opportunity to close the wage gap. And that is simply by when you’re going to hire somebody, make sure that you include a woman.

Hunter McCatherine:
In Oklahoma City, Hunter McCatherine, Oklahoma’s News 4.