losing sleep over wage discrimation

I am a 44 year old female and have worked for a major financial institution for 20 years. Ownership has changed several times due to mergers and divestures, but I have been with the current owner since September 1998. In February of 2001 I was given a promotion to Branch Manager of our main office, replacing a male manager who relocated to the commercial lending area. I know there was a huge "spread" between his "manager" salary and mine, but my question concerns events more recent than that. I've been "promoted" through the ranks of Assistant Vice President, Vice President, and just recently to Senior Vice President and Branch Administrator of the Retail Division. My President and CEO congratulated me on my accomplishment and stated that I was the "first and only woman" to achieve this level of success.(locally) I'm consistently referred to as a member of "senior management" and grouped with two other male counterparts on all management e-mails and meetings. THEY are both in the COMMERCIAL lending department. I am required to attend board meetings to report on the retail division of the bank. I've not received any wage increase as of yet for my promotion, but I was told that since I am a member of senior management, SVPs and above would be capped at 3%. (my boss is "trying" to get an exception to that for me) Here's where it gets interesting....I currently am earning an annual wage of $38,500. The two males I referred to are being paid annual wages of $61,000 and $65,000(and this is reliable information)..... to take it one step further , "promotions" to management were given to three females and to date, of the three, only one has been given a wage increase, 4% to coincide with her annual performance review. She declined the promotion, refusing to accept with no increase in pay. Budget was given as the reason...I do know a MALE branch manager was hired within the last six months, NOT in our city, but in our banking group at an annual wage of $60,000. ONE last comment, Branch Administrator minimum pay rate for the job grade is $57,000. I LOVE what I do, but I feel so discriminated against...myself as well as others..and I'm SCARED TO DEATH to question it...I'd be front page news, that's for sure!!!!! Could this even be a case?