Equal pay for equal work—that's the mantra of many of the women's group that have taken their fight to Albany. One local group is trying to level the playing field. NY1's Ruschell Boone filed this report.

There is strength in numbers and the head of the Brooklyn-Queens chapter of the National Organization for Women, Rachel Suissa, is working the phones to get the word out about a rally on Equal Pay Day next month. 

"It takes women until that point in April to earn what men earn for the entire previous year," says Suissa.

Women's groups are pushing state lawmakers to change that through legislation that would close a loophole that allows employers to justify paying female employees less.

"We're really trying to get the Women's Equality Agenda passed," Suissa says.

The plan was held up over abortion rights provisions but may pass piece by piece. According to the City Comptroller's Office, women in New York City who work full-time, make 82 percent of what men do on average. Suissa said she experienced the disparity a few years ago working as a program coordinator for a women's rights group, of all places. A man was offered more money for the same position.

"I came across a file that kind of indicated that, that actually showed his offer letter...and I had also received an offer letter but my starting salary was $8,000 less than his was," Suissa says. "I had the same level of education, the same credentials."

She was disappointed but not surprised.  

"Virtually every aspect of the employment sector has currently or has had a history of discriminating against women," Suissa says.

It's a message she tries to drive home to the NOW chapter's 200 members who seem to be concentrated in certain areas. 

"We seem to have more of a presence in Forest Hills. There seem to be a more progressive population there. Also Jackson Heights, Howard Beach, we have a very active membership out there," she says.

Suissa says in Brooklyn the majority of  her members are concentrated near where she lives in Sheepshead Bay. She hopes the rally is a good rallying cry to attract new members. 

The rally for equal pay is scheduled for April 14 on the steps of City Hall and she's not just just asking her members to participate, but for all women to support the cause.