Blog: More than Statistics: How COVID-19 is Impacting Working Women
Over the past several months, the Women’s Bureau has been collecting stories from women across the United States on the challenges they’ve faced working during COVID-19. Our new blog compiles some of their experiences managing work and illness in the absence of a national paid leave program; as well as the obstacles they’ve faced finding work, accessing childcare, maintaining their caregiving responsibilities, and more.
Women and Work National Online Dialogue to Help Women Workers
The Women’s Bureau’s Women and Work National Online Dialogue, which closed on July 9, gathered input and ideas to help us understand the barriers that limit the full participation of women in the workforce and to determine how best to provide resources to support women workers and create a more equitable economy.
The Dialogue, which was open to the public, elicited more than 100 ideas and more than 100 personal stories. The Women’s Bureau also participated in a Twitter Chat on July 7 with other stakeholders to further the Dialogue and share information and resources with more than 50 participants.
Thank you to all who participated in the Dialogue and the Twitter Chat!
- View the Dialogue
Women’s Bureau Meeting with Secretary Walsh
Secretary Walsh joined the Women’s Bureau on July 23 to discuss what working women need to build back better. The staff shared the real-life struggles they have faced during the pandemic, especially in terms of juggling work and caregiving. Secretary Walsh also discussed supports that could help workers, both within the DOL and across the country.
WB in the News
Check out some recent speaking engagements featuring Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon and Deputy Director Analilia Mejia:
First Payments of Expanded Child Tax Credit Distributed July 15
Most families with children should now be automatically receiving a monthly Child Tax Credit, thanks to The American Rescue Plan.
The Women’s Bureau is Hiring!
Survey Statistician, announcement closes August 3.
PMF rotational opportunities for Policy Analyst (PMF-RO-2021-2476) and Communications Specialist (PMF-RO-2021-2477)
- Applicants should view the Apply Site of the PMF TMS
Data Update: Labor Force Participation Interactive Maps
The Women’s Bureau recently posted updated, interactive maps on labor force participation rates for states and counties. There are two maps: one disaggregated by sex and another by women’s participation by presence and age of children. Check them out:
Keep Up to Date on All Fostering Access Rights and Equity (FARE) Grant Updates
The Women’s Bureau recently launched the FARE grant program to help low-income women workers learn about and access their rights and benefits. The 2021 grant application closed on July 15 but stakeholders can watch this page for grant winners in the upcoming months and keep up to date on any news about FARE.
Secretary Walsh Meeting with Women of Color and Women Stakeholders about the Importance of the Care Economy
On July 19, Secretary Walsh visited Palm Beach, Florida, where he participated in a number of round table events with local Women’s Bureau stakeholders and U.S. Representative Lois Frankel. Round table topics included the childcare tax credit, the need for federal investments in expanded access to affordable child and elder care programs and the need for a robust federal paid leave program to support all women, including women of color, serving in care giving roles in the U.S. economy.
The Secretary’s trip to Palm Beach marked just one in a series of recent events with a focus on the care economy and caregivers that he’s participated in, including a July 9 Facebook chat with a California SEIU Local; the July 14 Care Can’t Wait Rally; July 15 meetings with caregivers in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as Mayor Tishaura O. Jones; and a July 22 online panel session entitled Women, Work, and Care: The Pandemic and it’s Aftermath.
Fact Sheet: How the Build Back Better Framework Will Support Women’s Employment and Strengthen Family Economic Security
The White House recently released a fact sheet pertaining to challenges women face in the workforce and how the administration's plan will address them. The factsheet emphasizes the reality that millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic and many are struggling with how to return. Topics covered include supporting women’s caregiving needs, strengthening family economic security, and expanding education, training, and job opportunities for women.
Interagency Strategy to Promote Naturalization
As required by Section 5(c) of the Executive Order on Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans (E.O. 14012), the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Education, Health and Human Services, State, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Justice, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and the Social Security Administration established the Naturalization Working Group to develop a national strategy to promote naturalization. Learn more about the Interagency Strategy to Promote Naturalization
Share Your Story With Us
We want to hear about the unique challenges that you experience as a woman in the midst of a pandemic, and what support you need. Please share your story with us.
Follow the Women's Bureau on Twitter: @WB_Dol
The Women’s Bureau has championed the rights of working women and served as a convener of conversations for the past 100 years.
Follow us at @WB_DOL to view our #FridayFirsts series highlighting pioneering women, and to learn more about the latest research, initiatives, policies, and updates related to working women. We look forward to continuing the thoughtful conversations on Twitter that we've had with our stakeholders for the last 100 years!