Coralville, IA- Prosperity Together, a nonpartisan coalition of public women's foundations from across the country announced its support of the investments outlined in President Obama's Budget to expand opportunity, promote equality and build economic stability for women and working families in America. These efforts include: expanding paid leave; promoting equal pay for equal work; enforcing worker protection laws; increasing the minimum wage; supporting women-owned businesses; expanding access to quality, affordable early care and education; creating pathways to high-growth jobs; and, ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare and housing.
According to the SHE MATTERS: 2015 Issues and Actions Report, while women account for 57% of the workforce, the wage gap persists - women in Iowa earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns - and too often occupy minimum wage or part-time jobs, with little to no employer-sponsored benefits, and limited opportunity for growth and advancement. Additionally, women in Iowa struggle to reach independent prosperity, with 70% of Iowa's female heads of household struggling for economic security; 40% in poverty; and 30% earning less than basic living expenses. These barriers to economic prosperity are even greater for low-income women and women of color.
According to Iowa Women's Foundation Executive Director, Dawn Oliver Wiand, "these statistics are unacceptable and that is why the Iowa Women's Foundation does the work that it does. We know that an investment in women and girls reduces poverty, increases productivity, and accelerates economic growth. Economically self-sufficient women can lead the nation's next chapter of economic growth. Investing in women and girls means an investment in our economy. Iowa's 1.5 million plus women and girls deserve nothing less."
Prosperity Together & the Iowa Women's Foundation applauds the President's continued commitment to community-based solutions that partner government with philanthropy and corporations to create pathways to economic security for low-income women in America.
###
The Iowa Women's Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, committed to improving the lives of Iowa's women and girls through a diversified mix of funding and action: research, grantmaking, advocacy, education and collaboration. To achieve its goals and make the most significant impact, IWF brings together and invests in organizations across Iowa that make women and girls more successful. IWF is the only statewide organization working to enhance and improve women's economic self-sufficiency. http://www.
Prosperity Together is a nonpartisan partnership of public U.S. women's foundations dedicated to improving the economic security of low-income women and their families in America. On November 13, 2015 at The White House, Prosperity Together announced a five-year, $100 million funding commitment to invest in programs and strategies that will create pathways to economic security for low-income women in America. Prosperity Together demonstrates the critical role and power of women's foundations to drive this work in communities, state by state, across the country. http://www.
