BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend artist created a sculpture to break down barriers around pay equity. On Saturday, outside the Commons Cafe and Taproom in downtown Bend, Cassandra Kehoe wanted her work to spark discussion about the issue.
“I’m asking people how much they make,” Kehoe said. “So it’s a taboo question, but it’s a way that we can actually remove barriers to get people talking about pay.”
Equal Pay Day has a goal of ensuring individuals are paid equally for performing the same work, regardless of gender, race and ethnicity.
Kehoe unveiled her equal pay sculpture to the public on Saturday, and told us about the inspiration behind the piece.
“It honors Lilly Ledbetter, who’s an equal pay civil rights advocate, who’s been amazing, and it also honored (the late Supreme Court) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”
The sculpture includes a collection of upcycled materials. Kehoe hoped to buy people a cup of coffee to raise awareness about Equal Pay Day and what it’s about.
According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, Equal Pay Day, which is coming up on Tuesday, symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. The U.S. Census Bureau offers up some key stats about the day and issue as well.
The goal of Kehoe’s event was to spark conversation and bring about questions about the day.
“It’s one of the best ways that we can really effectuate change and make sure that we do have equal pay,” Kehoe said.
