Newly-released data shows the national gender pay gap decreasing by the largest amount since 2007.

The data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey shows that while the female-to-male earnings ratio climbed to a record 80.5 percent, some of the increase was due to stagnating wages among men rather than increasing wages among women. African American and Hispanic women continue to face significant disparities, and black women even saw their wages decline.

We’re very pleased to see progress being made to close the gender pay gap, but there is clearly more work to be done.

This data should motivate policymakers to work even harder to empower women economically and ensure these gains are shared by all women, regardless of skin color or zip code. Women’s Foundation will continue to work for change and push for policy solutions that will accelerate this progress and end the pay gap once and for all.

Women’s Foundation has been actively pushing for research-informed policy solutions to close the pay gap in Kansas and Missouri, including issuing Pay Equity Best Practices Guidelines as a tool for employers and advocating for occupational licensing reforms to reduce the barriers faced by women trying to enter more flexible, higher-paying careers.

Wendy D. Doyle, is president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women and girls, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.