It could leave them vulnerable to layoffs, stalled careers and lower pay for years to come, new studies find.

The pay gap is even greater for women of color.

For every dollar that U.S. men make, women make about 80 cents. Black women make 63 cents for every dollar white men make. Latinas make 54 cents.

"You know, you inform your boss of a pregnancy on Monday and you're fired on Tuesday. That still happens."