Doing Double Duty Today?
The first Labor Day celebration took place on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City. In 1884, the first Monday of September was designated as the holiday to celebrate “workingmen.” The country and the economy have changed significantly since 1882. Women in Iowa now comprise almost half of the state’s labor force. In addition, Iowa women are more likely to hold advanced degrees as well as work multiple jobs. Despite advances in education and employment, women continue to struggle to provide for themselves and their families. Multiple jobs and further education isn’t enough to overcome the wage gap. Iowa women earn, on average, 78.2 cents for every dollar earned by a men and the wage gap widens as women advance in their careers. According to the Iowa Commission on the Status on Women, “For those in the 80th percentile of earners (about $19 per hour and up), Iowa has the eight largest pay gap in the nation.”
Women are not immune to the economic downturn. The Institute for Women's Policy Research released a fact sheet showing both a high rate of unemployment among single mothers and substantial growth in their rate of unemployment since April 2009. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, women who maintain families without a spouse present have an unemployment rate of 12.2 percent; almost twice the rate for married men or women. As unemployment and poverty rates continue to rise, single women with young children are disproportionately effected. In Iowa, 52.8% of single mothers with children under 5 lived below poverty in 2006.
This Labor Day take a moment to celebrate Iowa women, many of whom will not get today off, they work hard each day to make ends meet and provide for their families and communities.
