Secret deodorant is making a big statement about equal pay. The brand, owned by Proctor & Gamble, announced they will donate $529,000 to the U.S. Women's National Team to help fill the pay between their team and the men's. The sum symbolically represents $23,000 donated to each of the 23 players on the championship team. The USWNT are now four time World Cup champs. Meanwhile, their male counterparts have only managed to advance out of the group stage four times. The women's team, however, is paid only thirty eight percent of what the men's team makes.
Secret made their big announcement with a full-page ad in The New York Times. They called for the U.S. Soccer Federation to pay the USWNT equally and "be on the right side of history." The ad also states: “Women just made history, but they have always deserved equal pay."
“But after all the toasts, cheers, parades and awards subside, the issue remains. Inequality is about more than pay and players; it’s about values,” the ad continues. “Let’s take this moment of celebration to propel women’s sports forward. We urge the U.S. Soccer Federation to be a beacon of strength and end gender pay inequality once and for all, for all players.”
The USWNT filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation back in March for alleged gender discrimination and calling for equal pay. They've had widespread support from fans and former players, however, Proctor & Gamble is one of the first major brands to join them in their fight for equal pay. Proctor & Gamble is a sponsor for the USWNT, as well.