When Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice President of the U.S. on Jan. 20, it made history that generations of women have waited for, and young women and girls have been inspired by.
The long-awaited moment marked many notable firsts: Harris is the first woman, the first Black person, the first Indian American and Asian American, and the first graduate of a historically Black college to be elected Vice President.
Her rise to the second-highest office in the land, and her perspective as a woman and person of color, comes at a critical time when the pandemic’s harsh economic impacts are especially felt by women and minorities.
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Now that there are vaccines to prevent COVID-19, we know that there are many questions surrounding the safety, effectiveness and availability of the vaccine. To answer your questions, we have produced the attached video.
It is important to remember that the COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 safety behaviors are the safest, and most effective way to beat COVID-19. Together, I know we will save lives, regain a sense of normalcy—and ultimately grow stronger as a community.
The vaccines are highly effective in protecting recipients from COVID-19 and they give us the best path towards saving lives and beating COVID-19. These vaccines have been vigorously tested for safety. The medical community’s focus on speed and safety is a testament to the vaccine’s importance.
The vaccines will eventually be available to any Ohioan who wants to be vaccinated. Please know that a greater sense of normalcy is within reach. But the vaccine is only one layer of protection, so COVID-19 safety behaviors are still important. Continuing to wear your mask, keeping your social distance and frequent hand washing will keep all people in our community safe.
For information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov
Click here to watch a video about the COVID-19 vaccines.
Best of health,
Dr. Roberts
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Working women continue to be economically hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, December unemployment numbers show. And women’s race and ethnicity reflect an even greater employment disparity.
Women lost 156,000 payroll jobs in December, while men’s jobs on payroll rose by 16,000, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Women held 5.4 million fewer jobs on payroll than they did last February, before the COVID-19 recession, compared to 4.4 million jobs on payroll held by men.
The December data tells the discouraging story:
- A dramatic decline in Hospitality and Leisure sector jobs in December accounted for women losing 282,000 jobs on payroll, compared to 216,000 for men.
- Jobs also declined in the Government sector, where women comprise more than 90% of job losses.
- Hispanic women faced the highest unemployment rate among women, at 9%, an 11% increase since November.
- Black women lost 82,000 jobs on payroll but saw the rate of unemployment decline by 6.7%, to 8.4% — likely due to fewer looking for work.
An Institute for Women’s Policy Research news release here includes more data on women’s employment in December.
As the economic impact of the pandemic continues and policy and program efforts to address it are on the table, the employment plight of women must be front and center.
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In its first four months, demand was high for services provided by the new Financial Navigator program to help families manage the impact of COVID-19.
The grant-funded initiative, launched last summer by the Columbus City Council, Columbus Women’s Commission, LSS 211 and Legal Aid Society of Columbus, guides residents in determining immediate steps they can take to manage expenses, maximize income and connect to helpful resources.
The Financial Navigator Initiative: Impact Report 2020 notes the most frequently discussed topics during individual client financial sessions from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020, were renter’s assistance, at 42%, and utilities hardship, at 27%.
The report also notes demographic and geographic information of participants who completed a Financial Navigator session, including:
- 85% had income under $35,000 and 54% had income under $15,000
- 53% were unemployed
- 49% had children in the household
- 62% live in Columbus
During the first four months, 1,115 residents requested help from the program’s Financial Navigators, and 826 completed a session with a Navigator. In 2021, the program will develop more nonprofit partnerships to reach more residents.
Schedule a session or read more of the Financial Navigator impact report here.
Federal Council for Gender Policy is Established
The Council for Gender Policy has been established by the Biden administration. The work of the Council and its new appointees underscores the new administration’s commitment to gender equity and equality.
Like the Columbus Women’s Commission’s focus on the local level to advance the economic well-being of women, the Council will work across the federal government to advance policies and programs that address barriers to women advancing in society, in the workplace, and in the home.
This includes Black, Indigenous, and women and girls of color, immigrant women and girls, LGBTQ women and girls, and women and girls with disabilities.
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research issued a statement on the Council’s establishment: “Under the Trump administration, we saw many of the gains made by women slip away or be challenged at the federal and state levels. Given the disproportionate impact of the COVID-fueled recession on women, particularly on women of color, in partnership with the Council, we have an opportunity to create policies that reflect our values and that will create a more just and equitable society and world.”
Future Ready by 5 Plan
Only 40% of children in Franklin County are kindergarten ready. With 90% of a child’s brain developed by the age of 5 years, early childhood development leaves a lasting impact on learning, behavior, and health — positive and negative.
Join Future Ready on Feb. 5 at 9:15 a.m. for a virtual public briefing to discuss how our community can tackle racial and economic disparities that affect our children’s kindergarten readiness. Hosted by Future Ready Columbus, the discussion panel features Jane Leach, Future Ready Director; Marilyn Brown, Franklin County Commissioner; Alex Fischer, Columbus Partnership President and CEO; and Bishop Timothy Clarke, Senior Pastor at First Church of God.
To participate and to learn more about the Future Ready by 5 Plan, click here.
Be part of the solution to help prepare more of our children for kindergarten and to positively impact their futures.
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Where Do You Start To Tackle Familiar Gender Equity Situations?
Gender Equity in the Legal Industry begins its fourth year of constructive discussions to start to tackle familiar gender equity situations in its industry.
The GELI program is on Feb. 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Small virtual breakout groups will explore three common gender equity situations and next steps to achieve progress.
The event is sponsored by Baker Hostetler, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Bricker & Eckler LLP, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, and Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP.
Get more information and register to participate here.
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