Women in Missouri Make Strides Toward Parity, Though More Work Remains
Kansas City, Mo – November 12, 2020 – United WE (formerly Women’s Foundation) held a web-based press conference today to announce findings from ongoing research on the Status of Women in Missouri. United WE commissioned the study with the University of Missouri’s Institute of Public Policy in an effort to better identify areas of concern, and policy solutions, for women of all ages.
This research brings important action to the forefront as women have been disproportionately affected by the economic and societal effects of Covid. The research revealed that Missouri's elected government doesn’t yet reflect the diversity of the state – including gender diversity. This year, women's legislative and executive branch representation in Missouri is 25.5% despite women accounting for 51% of the population.
In addition, barriers to childcare limits women’s economic potential. Covid has illuminated how challenging it is to fully participate in the workforce when childcare is compromised. As an innovative solution to help women remain in the workforce, Celeste Cramer of CoxHealth provided insights about their School Care Program that was developed as an option for children of its employees and partner organizations who were faced with virtual learning in light of Covid.
“Too many women remain on the sidelines because they face unnecessary workforce development obstacles such as pay inequality, childcare barriers, limited family leave, entrepreneurship restrictions, sexual harassment, and inadequate public policies,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of United WE. “These are solvable challenges and it is critical that we unite to advance and support policies that strengthen Missouri women and families for the economic development of our state.”
The 2020 findings highlight areas of possible action to help economically empower women and their families. Findings from the research include the following:
Employment and Income
In Missouri in 2018, for every dollar earned by a man, women made only 77.5 cents.
When breaking down the difference in median incomes by race and ethnicity, the gender pay gap was even greater. Black women earned only 68 cents for every dollar earned by a white man and Hispanic women earned only 61 cents for every dollar earned by a white man.
United WE advocates for salary history bans and has established pay equity best practice guidelines to promote equal pay for equal work. In 2020, United WE led efforts for House Bill 2046, which expands Missouri’s licensure reciprocity rules.
Education and Child Care
In Missouri in 2019, 7% of center-based child care centers were accredited, 1% of family child care homes were accredited, and 90% of school aged care programs had licensed slots for school aged children.
Forty-one percent of all counties in Missouri lack any accredited childcare facilities.
United WE helped secure paid parental leave to more than 100,000 state employees in Missouri and is advocating for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave at 100% pay for all part-time and full-time workers.
Health
In Missouri in 2018, 9.7% of all Missourians and 9% of women did not have health insurance coverage.
Over the last five years, the percentage of Missourians with no health care coverage has slowly but steadily decreased.
United WE conducted listening sessions around the state to hear from low-income and mid- to upper-income women; healthcare was identified as a significant barrier not only for Missouri women, but for their families.
Social and Economic Status
In Missouri in 2018, 10% of women aged 65 and over were living below the poverty level.
Although the decline in the percentage of women aged 65 and older who were living in poverty has been within one percent, these figures have changed little since 2014.
United WE supports policy reforms that remove barriers and leverage opportunities for women’s economic development, such as gender pay equity, which impacts retirement savings for women in the long-term.
Leadership and Public Engagement
In 2020, the total woman legislative and executive branch representation is 25.5%, despite women accounting for 51% of the population.
United WE’s Appointments Project® facilitates the appointment of women to civic boards and commissions and addresses a critical gap in representation and leadership. The project is expanding to cities across the country beginning in Ft. Worth, Pittsburgh and Oklahoma City.
“This research validates the importance of removing barriers and advocating for policies that support women, ultimately making families and communities healthier and the economy stronger,” said Emily Johnson, Associate Director of Operations, Institute of Public Policy, Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri. “It is rewarding to be part of a research project that has the ability to positively impact the lives of Missouri women and families.”
The study was initially released in January 2015. Ongoing research was conducted and new findings were released in January 2017.
A full copy of the 2020 report can be viewed here and includes an interactive dashboard component that illustrates demographic trends and barriers to childcare in particular.
What Legislators Are Saying
Employment and Income: Senator Lauren Arthur (D - Kansas City)
"In Missouri, women are still paid less than men for doing the same work. For Black and Hispanic women, the wage gap is even larger. For a stronger economy, stronger families, and stronger communities, we must ensure equal pay for equal work. Fair wages should not be a partisan issue, it should be a common goal shared by every leader at every level. It’s time we closed the wage gap with commonsense policies like increasing access to childcare and prohibiting hiring practices that keep women trapped at the bottom of the pay scale.”
Education and Childcare: Senator Cindy O’Laughlin (R - Shelbina)
"COVID has highlighted Missouri's childcare crisis. Last year only 7% of our state's center-based childcare centers were accredited, and 41% of all Missouri counties lacked any accredited facilities. The childcare landscape across the state is even more dire now. We must work to address childcare desert areas that lack these critical resources, and provide more opportunity for women to care for their families."
Social and Economic Status: Senator Holly Rehder (R - Sikeston)
"The social and economic status of women aged 65 and older in Missouri presents an opportunity to create better living circumstances through advocacy and policy change. In 2018, 10% of women in this age group were living below the poverty level. Our goals should be to help older Americans remain independent and prosperous as long as possible.”