News from the Office on the Status of Women - March 2018

iowa department of human rights

March 2018

News from the
Office on the Status of Women

Women in Iowa: 2018 Data Report Available

The State Data Center of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Human Rights' Office on the Status of Women have released the "Women in Iowa: 2018 Data Report." To view the report, visit: http://bit.ly/WomeninIowa2018.


The Statistics - U.S. and Iowa

164.0 million: the number of women in the U.S. as of July 2016, compared to 159.1 million men

2 to 1: the approximate ratio of women to men age 85+ as of 2016

76.8 million: the number of females age 16+ who participated in the civilian labor force in 2016 - this comprises 58.1% of females age 16+

1,598,013: the number of female veterans as of 2016

92.6%: the percentage of Iowa women age 25+ who had at least a high school education in 2016, compared to 61.8% in 1970

93.0: the graduation rate for Iowa girls in 2016, compared to 89.5 for boys (Iowa Department of Education)

$40,675: median earnings for American women in 2016, compared to $50,741 for men 

Men's earnings compared to female's earnings broken down by occupation (in the U.S.):

Women's wages vs men's wages broken down by occupation


*All data and statistics provided by the United States Census Bureau and the Women in Iowa: 2018 report unless otherwise noted


Share your story with us:
"Iowa Women at Work" Storytelling Project

Iowa Women at Work project
For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/iawomenatwork


If you would like to submit a story to our project, click here. Stories will be reviewed and may be edited for clarity. However, submissions will be returned to the author for approval following any editing. After review, the stories will be released in a collection to the public in winter 2019. 


Nominations open: Iowa Women's Hall of Fame and
Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice

Woman holding the 2018 Iowa Women's Hall of Fame nomination form

Iowa Women's Hall of Fame

To highlight women's heritage and recognize their contributions, the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women (ICSW) established the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1975. Each year the ICSW welcomes four women into the Hall of Fame, paying tribute to them and setting them forth as role models for others. Since 1975, 172 women have been inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame. 

To nominate a woman for this award, fill out this form and send it with all required information to women@iowa.gov by April 1, 2018.

Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice

The Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice recognizes and honors the accomplishments of Cristine Wilson, first chair of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women. During her service as chair, major legislation was passed that reduced sex discrimination and enhanced women’s rights. Wilson’s efforts were unceasing and her commitment was exemplary. 

The Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice is awarded selectively to an individual who has made significant contributions to the principles of equality and justice in the state of Iowa. This award is open to all genders.

To nominate someone for this award, fill out this form and send it with all required information to women@iowa.gov by April 1, 2018.


Upcoming Events/Seminars

Note: If you have an event taking place for women in Iowa that you would like to see added, please send it to women@iowa.gov.