‘The State of Women in America’ is latest in a series of studies showing the results of Governor Branstad’s failed economic policies

DES MOINES, IOWA — A report released today by the Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAPAF) examines how women are faring across the country. In Iowa, the ‘State of Women’ report gave a C+ grade overall, with a D+ in economic security, an F in leadership, and an A- in health.

The CAPAF report comes on the heels of two other studies showing economic instability in Iowa and a ‘dismally low’ rate of growth of women-owned businesses in our state compared with the rest of the country.

“Today’s report is the latest example of Governor Branstad’s failed leadership for Iowa’s women and working families,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “The Governor continues to ignore the reality of everyday Iowans and Iowa women who are being left behind by his policies that focus only the wealthiest among us. Iowa women make 78 cents for every dollar a man makes, and women-owned businesses in our state are growing at a snail’s pace. Those are just a few of the alarming economic realities that Governor Branstad’s policies have only made worse.”

To read the full report, ‘The State of Women in America: A 50-State Analysis of How Women Are Faring Across the Nation’, click here.

Among the report’s findings:
Women in Iowa make 78 cents for every dollar a man makes. This places Iowa as the state with the 21st-largest wage gap in the nation. The statistics are even worse for women of color: Hispanic women in Iowa make only 58 cents for every dollar a white male makes.

Iowa does not have a policy providing for paid family, medical, or temporary disability leave. This leaves women—and men—without the security of knowing their job will be there if they need to take time off to care for family or medical issues.

Almost 67 percent of the managerial jobs in Iowa are held by men. Women hold only 33.3 percent of the managerial jobs in Iowa, despite making up 51 percent of the state’s population.

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Background:

Iowa Fact Sheet:
http://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/StateOfWomen_Iowa.pdf

Report: Iowa far behind in growth of women-owned businesses
http://www.businessrecord.com/Content/Retail—Business/Retail—Business/Article/Report–Iowa-far-behind-in-growth-of-women-owned-businesses/179/854/57415

‘State of Working Iowa’ finds less security, more inequality
http://thegazette.com/2013/08/30/state-of-working-iowa-finds-less-security-more-inequality/

Explore the date from the report (breakdown of each category):
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/news/2013/09/25/75076/explore-the-data-the-state-of-women-in-america/

Contact: Matt Sinovic (515-423-0530)