NPR

Seeking Pay Equity, Female Flutist Sues Boston Symphony Orchestra

The orchestra's top flutist, Elizabeth Rowe, says that she is paid substantially less than her closest counterpart — a man. Her suit may be the first filed under a new Massachusetts pay equity law.
Flutist Elizabeth Rowe, performing as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2016.

Boston Symphony Orchestra principal flutist Elizabeth Rowe has filed a lawsuit against the orchestra, claiming that she is making substantially less each year than her closest peer — a man.

Rowe's suit was filed in Massachusetts' Suffolk County Superior Court on Monday morning, the day after a new, statewide went into effect. Her suit may be the first gender pay equity claim filed under the Massachusetts Equal Pay Law (MEPA). She is asking for more than $200,000 in unpaid wages from the orchestra.

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