U.S.A.:Women's Bureau update

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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.
Bias, Barriers, and Breakthroughs: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities for Women and Girls in STEM 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. Blog Posts Celebrating Women's History Month 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. Trailblazing Women in STEM 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. Crossing the Finish Line 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. Regional Spotlight: Equal Pay Day 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. Women’s Bureau: Impacting Economic Empowerment 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. Regional Spotlight: Women’s History Month 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. 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 --- 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. President Trump Delivers Women’s History Month Proclamation 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