I Am Worthy

After I asked my company to fix my pay, they launched an internal "investigation" that took months. While I waited, I bought myself a ring. It cost about $1,000, an amount I'd never spent on myself before. I thought, I'll wear it in these meetings with men who keep devaluing me, to remind myself that I am worthy. My coworker, who makes $25k more in annual base salary alone, could buy two for each finger of each hand every year—and still not feel the pinch I felt buying this one. I am worthy of having that same level of discretionary income, that same level of financial stability, an equal ability to hire help or take risks or secure my family's future.