the fact that the Equal Pay Act was signed more than 35 years ago, full-time working women between the ages of 25 and 35 earn only 84% of the weekly earnings of men their age. Alexis Herman, Secretary of the US Department of Labor, has the following to say: "This generation of women has invested greatly in education, returned quickly to the labor force after child birth, held more full time jobs and sought more nontraditional jobs than any in our nation's history. Their mere presence in the labor force has transformed our work culture, spurred new industries, and infused the nation's labor force with a ready supply of educated and skilled workers. It is difficult to imagine our nation's economy without them."
             Indeed, working women have come a long way since 1963 when the wage gap stood at 59%. In 1997, the ratio was down to 26%. The expansion of the female labor force in the 1960's and 1970's largely reflected the entry of married women into the labor force, especially those with children. In 1960, only a quarter of married women with children worked or was looking for work. By 1975, 44% of married mothers were in the labor force. The numbers of women graduating form college and graduate school grew as well. In 1960, 35% of all bachelors and first professional degrees were awarded to women. By 1975, 45% of all bachelors' degrees went to women. Women's' rising level of education and experience in the labor market, and their growing share of better-paying managerial and professional jobs have been critical in increasing women's real earnings during the 1980's and maintaining their level during the 1990's. Yet, even with these good-paying jobs, women's average earnings have not reached those of men. 1997 Bureau of Labor Statistics has weekly wage data showing that women earned less than men in 99% of all occupations for which data is available.
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