11 Powerful Quotes About Equal Pay

April 12 is Equal Pay Day, but of course, gender-based pay discrimination is an issue more than just one day a year. According to an analysis by TIME and Motto, women earn less than men at every single point in their careers, from 15% less between ages 22 and 25 to 38% less between ages 51 and 64.

While we may not solve pay inequality anytime soon, we can at least continue the dialogue to shine light on this persistent issue, as many celebrities, athletes and public figures do.

Carli Lloyd

“When I joined four teammates in filing a wage-discrimination complaint against U.S. Soccer late last month, it had nothing to do with how much I love to play for my country. It had everything to do with what’s right and what’s fair and with upholding a fundamental American concept: Equal pay for equal play.” —via The New York Times

Jennifer Lawrence

“Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper all fought and succeeded in negotiating powerful deals for themselves. If anything, I’m sure they were commended for being fierce and tactical, while I was busy worrying about coming across as a brat.” —via Lenny Letter

Read more: So You’re Making Less Than a Man—Now What?

Patricia Arquette

“To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation: We have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. … It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America.” —via her acceptance speech for the 2015 Best Supporting Actress Oscar

Emma Watson

“The reality is that, if we do nothing, it will take 75 years, or for me to be nearly 100, before women can expect to be paid the same as men for the same work.” —via a speech at the United Nations Headquarters in September 2014

Amanda Seyfried

“A few years ago, on one of my big-budget films, I found I was being paid 10% of what my male costar was getting, and we were pretty even in status. I think people think because I’m easygoing and game to do things, I’ll just take as little as they offer. But it’s not about how much you get, it’s about how fair it is.” —via The Sunday Times

Read more: How to Negotiate Salary: 5 Secrets Backed by Research

Viola Davis

“I have to be honest with you. I believe in equal pay, first of all. I’m sorry, if a woman does the same job as a man, she should be paid the same amount of money. She just should. That’s just the way the world should work.” —via Mashable

Sheryl Sandberg

“It’s indisputable that there’s a real pay gap. People can argue about how big, but that’s almost besides the point. … The point is that every woman, every girl deserves to get paid what they’re worth.” —via an interview with HuffPost Live

Elena Delle Donne

“[Sexism] is in the workforce, as well. There isn’t even equal pay, so it’s not just in sports—it’s everywhere. Women out there need to keep pushing, and don’t let it deter you. Because we need all strong women to come out and speak about it. Equality’s coming, we just have to talk about it.” —via Motto

Read more: Here’s the History of the Battle for Equal Pay for American Women

Beyoncé

“Men have to demand that their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters earn more—commensurate with their qualifications and not their gender. Equality will be achieved when men and women are granted equal pay and equal respect.” —via The Shriver Report

Daniel Craig

“A man is still likely to earn more money than a woman, even one doing the same job. You have a far better chance of entering political office or becoming a company director. … Women are responsible for two-thirds of the work done worldwide, yet earn only 10% of the total income and own 1% of the property. … So are we equals? Until the answer is ‘yes,’ we must never stop asking.” —via a 2011 video for International Women’s Day

Joe Biden

“Equal pay for equal work. It’s common sense. It’s also overdue. Let’s close the gap and let’s do it now.” —via Twitter