10/02/2026
What does labor really mean for Black women? It’s not just wages—it’s paid work, caregiving, health, and the everyday labor of keeping families and communities afloat. A recent Labor Day conversation hosted by Senator Natalie Murdock, Oxfam America, Forward Justice, and North Carolina Black Alliance highlighted a harsh reality: Black women face a wage gap (64 cents to every dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic men in 2025) and, in North Carolina, ranks 52nd on Oxfam’s Best States to Work Index due to policies on minimum wage, paid leave, and worker protections. Yet care, maternal health, and economic security are inextricably linked to labor policy.
The takeaway was clear: we must value Black women’s labor in all its forms. That means fair wages, safe and supportive workplaces, accessible healthcare, and the power to influence the decisions that affect daily life — far beyond the ballot box. The event underscored a broader question: what would our policies and institutions look like if we truly valued Black women’s labor?
Share your thoughts: how can North Carolina build conditions where Black women not only survive but thrive? What policy changes would make the biggest difference in your community? Learn more: https://ncblackalliance.org/black-womens-labor/