Patricia Arquette: Minority Women Suffer 'Economic Suppression'

Patricia Arquette says African-American, Native American and Latina women are suffering “economic suppression.”

The actress, who made a call for equal pay part of her Oscar acceptance speech last year, spoke at the White House’s United State of Women Summit on Tuesday.

“A typical African American, Native American and Latina women earn .64, .59 and .54 respectively for every dollar paid to a typical man,” said the actress. “That is economic suppression.”

She called on corporations to introduce equal pay policies rather than wait for Congress to pass a paycheck fairness legislation.

She began with a tribute to victims in the Orlando shooting.

“Of course we are all here with heavy hearts and my prayers go out to all the survivors, the families and friends of those who were lost in Orlando,” she said.

The actress also honored an American “shero,” activist Lily Ledbetter, for challenging the pay gap between men and women. “I along with women across the country are forever indebted to her for her dedication and resolve to fight for what is right,” said Arquette.

“We also recognize that the work is far from being finished,” she said.

Also Read: Patricia Arquette Renews Attack on Wage Inequality, Child Poverty

The United State of Women Summit kicked off with a powerful speech by Vice President Joe Biden, who spoke on sexual violence. The summit includes speakers ranging from Kerry Washington to Warren Buffet, spanning many industries.

“If we’re serious about equality we can achieve this together,” she said.

Lena Dunham, Katie Couric Join TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast NYC (Photos)

Lena Dunham and Katie Couric attended TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC on June 9.
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TheWrap's CEO Sharon Waxman and "Girls" actress Lena Dunham arrive at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast NYC.
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"Orange Is the New Black" actress Jackie Cruz arrives at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
"Becoming Mary Jane" actress Gabrielle Union arrives at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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TheWrap CEO and editor-in-chief Sharon Waxman hugs Lena Dunham at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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Katie Couric speaks to Sharon Waxman at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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Katie Couric speaks to Sharon Waxman at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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Katie Couric speaks to Sharon Waxman at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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Lena Dunham on stage at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast NYC on June 9.
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Katie Couric at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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The audience at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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The crowd at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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Kathryn Finney, founder of The Budget Fashionista, speaks during a panel at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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TheWrap's CEO Sharon Waxman introduces a panel at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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Rachel Sklar, founder of Change the Radio/Theli.st, speaks on stage at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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Rachel Sklar and Kathryn Finney arrive at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast on June 9.
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The audience at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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From left, "Eclipsed" director Liesl Tommy, "Eclipsed" actress Pascale Armand, "Orange Is the New Black" actress Jackie Cruz and "Eclipsed" actress Zainab Jah at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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"Roots" actress Anika Noni Rose on stage with TheWrap's CEO Sharon Waxman at NYC's Power Women Breakfast.
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Rachel Sklar speaks at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
Katie Couric speaks to the audience during the TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast on June 9.
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Tony-nominated actress Pascale Armand ("Eclipsed") listens to a panel at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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Lena Dunham speaks with Sharon Waxman at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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President and Chief Executive Officer of A+E Networks Nancy Dubuc attends TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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"Eclipsed" Actress Zainab Jah arrives at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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TheWrap's CEO Sharon Waxman poses with Katie Couric and Lena Dunham at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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Rachel Sklar, Kathryn Finney, founder of The Girls' Lounge Shelley Zalis, founder of The Pink Ceiling Cindy Whitehead and Sharon Waxman during a panel at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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Gabrielle Union listens to a panel at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast
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Founder and CEO of The Girls' Lounge Shelley Zalis speaks during a panel at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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The audience at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast on June 9.
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Anika Noni Rose on stage with Sharon Waxman at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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TheWrap's CEO Sharon Waxman speak with panelists at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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An audience member listens to a panel at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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"Eclipsed" director Liesl Tommy, Pascale Armand and Zainab Jah at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC.
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Cindy Whitehead, Paula Wagner, Sharon Waxman and Shelley Zalis at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast NYC.
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Liesl Tommy, Entertainment Director at Essence Magazine Cori Murray, Pascale Armand and Zainab Jah at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast.
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Kathryn Finney at TheWrap's Power Women Breakfast in NYC on June 9.
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