Equal Pay Day in 2026? Let's Talk, A Very Special Point of Personal Privilege

March 25, 2026



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Today is Equal Pay Day. It’s the day that working women have to work to earn the same amount that a man earns in 12 months. Does that fact surprise you? Sadly, it shouldn’t. I’m sharing details below on a bill we are working on that seeks to close the ever-present wage gap between men and women.

Yesterday, we had our annual Greek Independence Day celebration, and it was wonderful to welcome a large group, including a wonderful troupe of dancers, to honor the 205th anniversary of freedom from the Ottoman Empire. 
 
The week continues to be busy. Yesterday, we were in session to vote on appointed judges and executive nominations. The Senate is in session today.

We also continue to have many legislative breakfasts with advocates, committees are closing in on their final deadlines, and we have lots of remaining information sessions by various groups.

Remember, you can keep up with meetings, events, and session days by watching CT-N.com and by signing up HERE to follow bills as they wind their way through session. 
 
We only have about 14 session days left before we adjourn on May 6, which means now is the time to advocate for or against bills you have opinions on before we reach the end!
 
I hope you have a great week,

Eleni

Equal Pay Day in 2026? Let's Talk

Today, we held a press conference to acknowledge Equal Pay Day, the day all working women must work until to equal the same pay as a white man.

Black women would have to work until July 21, Latina women until October 8, and Native American women until November 19. And, for the second year in a row, nationally, women are losing ground, earning 81 cents on the dollar to men. In 2024, it was 84 cents. 
 
This year, HB5387 seeks to improve the wage gap by requiring salary ranges to be disclosed in public or internal job postings. This helps women be in a better position to negotiate and to require equal pay for equal work. 
 
Today, I’m sharing my comments from the press conference below. 
 
 

A Very Special Point of Personal Privilege

My grandmother celebrated a big birthday a little while ago, and I was so glad to take a moment to celebrate her 94th birthday. 
 
 

Greek American Independence Day @ Capitol

Yesterday, in addition to a full session day, we celebrated Greek Independence Day. Greece, as we know it today, is a younger democracy than the United States.

The war for freedom from the Ottoman Empire began in 1821, and Americans actually fought alongside the Greeks for this independence. The Greeks were inspired by the founding fathers fight for Independence.

Our ceremony commemorating the day was beautiful and inspiring, as you can see from the photos. 
 

What Helps, What Harms Housing? A Discussion 

I joined a panel with the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of CT, Inc. to discuss what helps create housing & what kills housing. This was part of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association & Lumber Dealers Day at the Capitol.
 

New Federal Workforce Pell Grants Implemented

The state will implement new federal Workforce Pell Grants through the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), marking a major expansion of financial aid for short-term, career-focused training.

Enabled by H.R. 1 Workforce Pell expansion, the policy allows low-income students to use Pell Grants for programs lasting 8–15 weeks (150–599 hours).

Previously, only programs of at least 15 weeks and 600 hours qualified. This change is designed to open faster, more flexible pathways into high-demand fields, especially for working adults and non-traditional learners.

OWS will coordinate a broad statewide effort involving agencies and institutions such as the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Connecticut, along with workforce boards and credentialing bodies. The goal is to align training programs directly with employer needs and regional labor shortages.
To qualify for Workforce Pell funding, programs must meet strict performance and quality standards:

  • Align with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries
  • Lead to a recognized, stackable postsecondary credential
  • Achieve at least a 70% completion rate and 70% job placement rate
  • Result in wages above the state median for high school graduates
  • Be in operation for at least one year

The initiative is intended to strengthen Connecticut’s talent pipeline while making education more accessible and outcomes-driven. Workforce Pell Grants are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
 

And Here's Another Scam Alert

A fake Amazon text says your order was recalled and prompts you to click a link to confirm your refund.  

Be wary of links that look unusual or do not include the name of the company. What should you do? Don't click the link, block the number, and only verify recalls on the Amazon app or official website.
 

Ellie: Back From Spring Break

I am back from spring break and jumped right back into the swing of things.

At the beginning of this week, I began working on the floor files for the planning and development committee.

These files are a compilation of all the essential documents for a bill, including the most recent version of the bill text, fiscal and bill analyses, the JF report, and impactful testimony.

This was an interesting process to see all the documents together and be able to track the history of specific bills.

All the best,
Ellie
 

Upcoming Events 
 

 Heads Up: Avon Community Shred Event May 10th

The 5th annual Avon/Canton community shred event will take place on Saturday, May 10th, at Northwest Community Bank, 277 Albany Turnpike, Canton, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and at Peoples Bank, 182 West Main Street in Avon, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Please see the note from organizers below: 

Bring your old bills, confidential mail, and other sensitive documents to be professionally destroyed by
INFO SHRED

Limit TWO (17" x 12" x 10.5") Copy Paper-Size Boxes | Personal Shredding ONLY | No Business Items Please

  • Place boxes in either your trunk or back seat
  • Stay in your vehicle
  • Acceptable Shred Items - Paper Only: bank records, canceled checks, credit card statements, medical records, legal documents, social security numbers, investment data, addressed mail, etc...
  • Paper Clips and Binder Clips ARE O.K.
  • NO BINDERS, METAL, OR MEDIA
  • We will not be issuing Certificates of Destruction
COST: NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS to be Donated

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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