Twenty-eight million American women—46 percent of all working women—work in jobs paying low wages, with median earnings at $10.93/hour. And women are much more likely to work in these low-paying jobs: only 37 percent of working men do. The American childcare system doesn't make it any easier on working mothers: 17 percent of all working women rely on childcare, compared to only 12 percent of working men. Reproductive health is inequitable, often difficult to access, and saddled with implicit bias.
Just look at the gender wage gap in America. It's barely changed in two decades. Back in 2002, American women earned 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. And in 2022 the gap had narrowed to just 82 cents. We believe that there is a better future for women and our new theme The Gender Gap will explore the plight of women in America. In the workplace. At home. The caregiving burden. The pay gap. The struggle to get the healthcare they need.
We'll examine why low and middle-income women continue to struggle, the fight for fair and equitable reproductive health, how communities can usher in systems change, and where we can go from here to build a better future for women, and, subsequently, for all Americans. We're launching today with a handful of stories exploring reproductive health, community engagement, the financial gap, and more:
How Twentyeight Health is democratizing reproductive healthcare and helping women on Medicaid get the care they need
A Q&A with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Monique Shaw discussing the inequities baked into the American healthcare system, looking to community-based organizations for answers, and what gives her hope.
A story exploring how community voice can help improve health systems for women, with uplifting examples of innovation and progress from Reema Health and the University of Michigan Medicine's Community Health Services.
A piece discussing the gender financial gap and how it impacts low-income women of color and the native community, with some insight from Jaime Gloshay of Native Women Lead.
A Q&A with New Voices for Reproductive Justice's executive director Kelly Davis about the fight for reproductive justice.
At Acumen America, we are committed to support companies that are working to effect real change for low-income women and communities across the country. We believe entrepreneurs and innovation have an important role to play in closing these gaps for women, which is why we've invested in companies like TwentyEight Health that are working to build equitable solutions and systems change for women across America.
Catherine & Amon
Catherine co-leads Acumen America.
