Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement When Women Succeed, Boston Succeeds Megan Costello Executive Director 1

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Women in the City of Boston in Data courtesy of Boston Redevelopment Authority/Research Division, April 2014

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Age of Boston’s Female Population Women make up the majority of Boston’s population Boston is home to 321,643 women and girls Women make up 52.1% of Boston’s population Boston women are highly educated: 38.6% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher (compared to the national average of 28.2%) 3 35% of Boston’s female population is between the ages of 20 and 34 Comparatively, only 19.8% of females in the U.S. are in this age group 54% of Boston women are non-white The racial distribution is similar to that of the City of Boston overall Boston’s Women by Race and Ethnicity 4%4%

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Women are disproportionately affected by poverty in Boston The poverty rate for women in Boston is 23.0% compared with the national average of 16.1% 70.9% of family households in poverty in Boston are female-headed households without another partner present 55.8% of public benefits* recipients in Boston are female 40.2% of women in poverty are in the labor force (median income $6,400) 4 61% of females in poverty have a high school education or less 70% of females in poverty are non-white Children and young adults comprise almost half (48%) of Boston’s female poor population Public benefits for individuals consist of public assistance income, social security income, supplemental security income, Medicare and Medicaid. Age of Women in Poverty in Boston Race and Ethnicity of Women in Poverty Educational Attainment of Women in Poverty, Age 25+  Less Than High School  High School Diploma/GED  Some College/Associate’s  Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Women participate actively in Boston’s labor force, but still make only 83 cents to a man’s dollar Boston’s women and men (aged 16 and above) participate in the labor force at similar rates: 65.9% (women) and 69.8% (men) The most female-dominated industries are educational services, healthcare and social assistance (68.0% women) and other services (60.3%) Construction (8.3%) and transportation (25.7%) are the industries with the least women in Boston 5 Women in Boston’s labor force earn 83% of what men earn in terms of median income The national average is 79% in terms of median income Men of all races make more than women of the same race The pay gap by education is greater than by race: women with professional degrees make 64% of what men earn WomenMenRatio Median Income$31,000$37, Mean Income$42,811$55, Women’s Median IncomeMen’s Median IncomeRatio White$41,100$50, Black$27,400$27, Hispanic/Latin o $19,000$23, Asian$20,800$30, Other$25,000$28,

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement 6

The Office of Women’s Advancement coordinates the Mayor’s efforts to improve gender equality in Boston Mayor Marty Walsh understands that women succeeding is not only socially just, but also economically important to Boston’s vitality In June 2014, the Mayor officially established a new department within city government, the Office of Women’s Advancement, to promote equity for women – This department was formerly known as the Women’s Commission – The new Boston Women’s Commission will be an appointed advisory body to assist and advise the Mayor and the Office of Women’s Advancement The Office has a clear vision and is focused on policy rather than programs The Office’s work is structured around three priority areas: 1.Data and research 2.Women’s economic equity 3.Women’s health and safety 7 How can policy and political leadership change culture?

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Data & Research Policy Legislation Communication Economic Equity Pay Equity Networking & Training Women on Main/In Business Childcare Health & Safety Sexual Violence Violence Against Women Women in Poverty Access to Education & Healthcare Boston Women’s Commission 19 members Networks Resources Policy Expertise Boston Women’s Workforce Council 16 members Pay Equity 8 The Office oversees the Mayor’s women’s advancement initiatives as well as two advisory bodies comprised of community leaders Mayoral Office Advisory Body Issue Priorities

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement You Can ALWAYS Get What You Want, It’s Just a Matter of HOW Every issue is a woman’s issues so how do you prioritize? How can policy and political leadership change culture? Understand what the needs are: do an assessment of what the needs are and what is possible Political leadership and buy in is critical: start here Allies within your organization, especially non-traditional allies Where is there funding? What partnerships can be formed? What are the “small” things you can accomplish to lead by example? Go beyond legislation Compromise- the world needs more of it 9 “When women succeed, Boston succeeds” Mayor Marty Walsh

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement Accomplishments Through our accomplishments we are changing policy AND culture – Paid Parental Leave for exempt City of Boston Employees – Launch of Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WeBos) to support and increase the number of women owned businesses in Boston, especially to help them scale and grow – Unique multi-pronged approach to closing the gender wage gap:  Supporting Equal Pay Legislation  Working with Employers to sign the Voluntary 100% talent compact  Offering free salary negotiation workshops in partnership with AAUW to Individual Women 10

Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement GET INVOLVED Come to a workshop – Sign the 100% talent compact Facebook – Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement – Boston Run for office! 11 “When women succeed, Boston succeeds” Mayor Marty Walsh