Aileen Rizo-Acosta, math consultant fights for equal pay

Aileen Rizo-Acosta

I love strong Latinas! Today I want to talk about Aileen Rizo-Acosta. She is my new inspiration, my new hero, and a woman I hope to meet in person some day.

Aileen is a math consultant and in the battle of her life, but actually in a battle for all us women who want equal pay. She teaches math to teachers in Fresno, California.

Recently NBC's Maria Shriver profiled Aileen's fight against the Fresno County Office of Education. Here's the news story.

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Want equal pay, fight for it

Some of you know you're getting paid much less than your male counterparts at work, and then maybe some of you don't know. I strongly recommend you find out.

Here's the reality, Aileen cannot fight this battle alone. If you're a woman you should be asking if you are getting equal pay. If you're not getting the same pay, ask why not?

You can't complain if you don't do your part.

1. Speak up and fight for equality. Keeping silent does not create change. 
2. Don't let fear or Goliath get in your way. 
3. Tell the media, the more people know the better.
4. Never lose hope.
5. Take it to court.  A lawsuit is not about money but about pushing for fair change.

Thank you Aileen for encouraging us to do our part for equality, and good luck on your lawsuit.


Rebecca Aguilar is the founder of Wise Latinas Linked. She was awarded LATISM's Social Network Leader award in 2011 and 2013. She's a journalist, television commentator, blogger, social media manager and public speaker.