Jessica Alba has always been a celebrity who uses her voice to advocate for change. This time, she shed light on the fight for fair pay. October 8 was Latina Equal Pay Day, and the actress and entrepreneur called out the staggering wage gap that continues to affect Latinas across the U.S.
The Honey star shared a picture wearing a white shirt in honor of the day with a brown Latina woman speaking into a megaphone that says "10 años de lucha," meaning "10 years of fighting" with a banner that reads "...and you still owe us."
“Today marks 10 years of #LatinaEqualPay Day — the day that represents how far into 2025 Latinas must work to earn what white, non-Hispanic men made last year,” Alba wrote in the caption.
“And yet, Latinas are still paid just 54¢ for every $1 earned by white, non-Hispanic men — a gap that widens even more for immigrant, rural, and Central American women," she continued.
The 44-year-old went on to call for “narrative change, accountability, and economic justice,” adding, “The pay gap harms Latinas, their families, and entire communities. We can’t — and shouldn’t — have to wait any longer to be paid fully and fairly. It’s time.”
Alba the activist
Alba has long been outspoken about creating opportunities for women and communities of color, both on and off screen.
Beyond the pay gap, Alba has used her platform to advocate for Latinas. Last month, in honor of Hispanic Heritage month, she honored the trailblazers who inspire her, like Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek, Zoe Saldaña, America Ferrera, and Dolores Huerta.
The businesswoman has also spoken up about the importance of representation in powerful roles. "When little girls see Kamala Harris, they're like, 'OK, I can now see myself in one of the highest offices in government'. When they see someone like me, they're like, 'OK, I can start a company one day and it can stand for something and have purpose,'" she said in 2020 at the online Web Summit conference.
She's advocated against things like toxic chemicals, too. In 2015, she went to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers and express concerns over a federal law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). And in 2010, she slammed Arizona's state immigration rules.
Her latest post is just another example of how A-list stars can use their platform for good.