Reflecting on Women’s History Month

by Laura Walling, Senior Director of Government Relations, Goodwill Industries International

While celebrating the contributions made by women to all fabrics of life during Women’s History Month, it is troubling to do so at a time when the historic gains that women have made in the workforce are becoming history. Prior to the pandemic, unemployment rates for women and men were fairly equal.  However, as the virus raged on, and schools and businesses closed, there was a disparate impact on women in the workforce. According to the National Women’s Law Center, female workforce participation has already dropped to 57%—the lowest level since 1988.

Researchers estimate that employment for women may not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2024—two full years after a recovery for men. Another recent study found 1 in 4 women are now considering leaving the workplace or downshifting their careers.

Parents of young children and those having to take care of aging parents have been scrambling, but the majority of the responsibility and duties have been placed on women. I have seen this within my own family, and while federal supports they receive have been beneficial in continuing to make ends meet, many of these supports are temporary.

Among the long-term policies that are being put forth that could increase women’s labor force participation, close the wage gap, and make work more accessible for mothers include policies that incentivize or fund predictable work scheduling, guaranteed number of work hours, and extended school-day or before and after school programs, supporting women entrepreneurs, and focusing on wage transparency.

While Congress and state lawmakers (less than one-third of whom are women), examine these proposals, the Biden Administration is doing their part by committing to, “ensuring that women are well-represented at all levels in the executive branch: already, we have selected a record number of women who represent the diversity of America to serve in Cabinet-level position,” as noted in the White House Proclamation on Women’s History Month.

President Biden also issued an Executive Order establishing the White House Gender Policy Council.  The co-chairs have stated they plan to address women’s economic security, caregiving, pay equity, and education and will convene key external groups and stakeholders. Goodwill stands ready to be a partner in this work to share the experiences of women seeking to reenter the workforce and train for new careers.

Some local Goodwill organizations have reported seeing fewer women searching for jobs and, more starkly, a smaller percentage of women being hired as compared to men. Anecdotally, Goodwill hears from women who cannot find similar jobs to what they had in the past. Women say they cannot accept the jobs available primarily due to lack of childcare and the instability of virtual schools — particularly for those with young children. They say all of this is having a serious impact on their psychological, emotional and financial health. As we rebuild our economy, we must prioritize efforts to return women to the workforce as we reopen our communities.