Serena Williams Fights For Equal Pay For Black Women in Moving Essay

Serena Williams is speaking out in honor of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day.

The 35-year-old tennis star penned a moving essay acknowledging “the many realities black women face every day,” including that black women make 63 cents for every dollar a white man earns.

“Growing up, I was told I couldn’t accomplish my dreams because I was a woman and, more so, because of the color of my skin. In every stage of my life, I’ve had to learn to stand up for myself and speak out,” Serena wrote.

She went on to discuss what needs to be done and how changes can be made in the workplace, which mostly importantly includes speaking out about the issue.

Serena added, “Black women: Be fearless. Speak out for equal pay. Every time you do, you’re making it a little easier for a woman behind you. Most of all, know that you’re worth it. It can take a long time to realize that. It took me a long time to realize it. But we are all worth it. I’ve long said, ‘You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.’”

Read Serena‘s entire essay on Fortune.com.