Celebrating Women’s
History Month and Recognizing Equal Pay Day
At the Women’s Bureau—pivoting as we do each year from
commemorating Black History Month in February to honoring Women’s History Month
in March and marking Equal Pay Day in early April—we see the first few months
of the new calendar year as an apt time both for reflection on those who have
come before us, as well as a clarion call to envision what lies ahead. In keeping with this year’s Women’s History
Month theme, Honoring Trailblazing Women
in Labor and Business, we have been honored to showcase the trailblazing
work and examples of authors like Alice Walker, alongside women leaders from
NASA and the National Science Foundation, as well as DOL’s own
trailblazers. At the same time, on Equal
Pay Day, in particular, we recognize the work that remains to be done to ensure
a level playing field for women workers from all walks of life and strive for
the day when gender-based pay disparities are little more than a distant
memory.
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On March 22nd the
Women’s Bureau hosted a panel discussion on the critical contributions of women
and girls to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) innovation
in the United States. The panelists
addressed both the recruitment, retention and advancement challenges for women
and girls pursuing STEM careers and courses of study, as well as the key
strategies and promising practices being deployed to ensure success in
leveraging the full spectrum of talent available to employers and institutions
engaged in advancing STEM technologies and innovations. The panel included
commentary from Lisa Ransom from the National
Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, Aprille Ericson from NASA, and Jessie
DeAro from the National Science Foundation. Click here to watch a video of the
event.
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Blog Posts
Last month the Women’s Bureau partnered with the Bureau of Labor Statistics to celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting women’s contributions to the labor force. With the help of BLS data, we present the latest stats on working moms, women’s labor force participation, and women’s employment trends over time. Click here to read the blog by Women’s Bureau Economist, Mark DeWolf.
During National Women’s History Month, with the 2017 theme of “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business,” we recognize trailblazing work being done to bring more women into STEM fields. Click here to read the blog by Women’s Bureau Deputy Director, Joan Harrigan-Farrelly.
At the Women’s Bureau, we work to ensure that “the finish line” is within reach of all workers regardless of gender. The lives of the women highlighted in Hidden Figures offers several lessons that continue to have relevance for today’s working women. Click here to read the blog by Women’s Bureau Deputy Director, Joan Harrigan-Farrelly.
In
commemoration of Equal Pay Day (April 4th), the Women’s Bureau
discussed equitable pay and economic security with diverse audiences and worked
with organizations such as the American Association of University Women, Federal
Reserve Bank of Dallas Texas, Girl Scouts, Illinois Federation of Business
Women, Professional Women’s Club of Chicago, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of
Commerce, United Way, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and
Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas (TX). The Women’s Bureau also helped to
develop the annual Equal Pay Exhibit at Santa Clara County Court House in San
José, CA, which raises awareness about the wage gap and includes strategies to
increase women’s pay. In addition, the Women’s Bureau also coordinated events
in educational settings, including at the City University of New York, Columbia
University School of Social Work, Massasoit Community College, University of
Missouri – Kansas City, and Widener University to provide the next generation
of workers with the data and resources they need to feel economically
empowered.
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In 2005, Gina Robison-Billups participated in a Women’s
Bureau Las Vegas event, entitled “Women Managing Those Dollars.” Gina went home
from that conference determined to help women achieve personal financial
wellness and resiliency. In 2011, Gina created the non-profit organization “Women’s Money”
with a focus on engaging women in long-term behavior changes to improve their
economic standing in life. Gina credits the Women’s Bureau in the
organization’s recent 2016 annual report for inspiring her to take both the
message of the Women’s Bureau and the information the Bureau provided to a new
level. This year, Gina notes that Women’s Money Week® had over 24,000
participants.
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Women’s Bureau helped
to organize events throughout the country highlighting women’s achievements in
the workplace and discussing opportunities for future growth. Local female
trailblazers in the technology industry shared promising diversity best
practices in Seattle, WA at an event organized by the Women’s Bureau. Panelists
shared their journey in the technology industry, including how they overcame
barriers and leveraged their resources and network to continue growing in their
careers. In New York, the Bureau participated in a Women’s Professional Day at
St. Joseph High School. To an audience of high school girls and faculty, the
Women’s Bureau addressed the occupational areas where higher paying jobs are
found, including opportunities in the STEM fields. The Women’s Bureau also worked
with the San Diego Expanding Your Horizons coalition to create a STEM Café
after school event for teenagers which promotes mentorship and creates an
environment that promotes STEM education and apprenticeship. Also, with the
Women’s Bureau in Dallas, forty local trailblazing women were recognized for
their accomplishments in improving the lives of local women and girls, in
collaboration with the Oak Cliff Community Development Corporation, Dallas
NAACP, and Operation Community Cares, among others.
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New Federal Resources on Women
New Data from the Census Bureau
In
honor of Women’s
History Month, the U.S. Census Bureau released a graphic showing median
earnings by occupation and women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s from
the 2015
American Community Survey. Click here for more
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New Data from the Census Bureau
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics Spotlight
on Women at Work
This
release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics examines women’s employment,
earnings, and educational attainment. It also looks at how women spend their
time and money, the nature of fatal work injuries, and labor force projections
for the future. Click here for more.
We are proud of our Nation's achievements in promoting women's
full participation in all aspects of American life and are resolute in our
commitment to supporting women's continued advancement in America and around
the world. America honors the celebrated women pioneers and leaders in our
history, as well as those unsung women heroes of our daily lives. We
honor those outstanding women, whose contributions to our Nation's life,
culture, history, economy, and families have shaped us and helped us fulfill America's
promise.” …
Read
the rest of the proclamation at Whitehouse.gov
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