Portrait of a Changing Workforce

In 1952, less than 30 % of women held jobs In 1952, less than 30 % of women held jobs. In 2004 women made up nearly half of U.S. labor force – an estimated 41 million wage earners. More than 6.2. million women own companies, contributing nearly $2.4 trillion to the national economy.

In 1955, only 18% of mothers with children under age 6 worked In 1955, only 18% of mothers with children under age 6 worked. By 2001, that number jumped to 64% - with 3 million mothers of infants less than a year old holding full-time jobs.

By 1989, 80% of homebuyers were two-income couples. According to the U By 1989, 80% of homebuyers were two-income couples. According to the U.S. Bureau of Census, most families in the 1990s needed two incomes to “maintain the standard of living…enjoyed two decades earlier.”

Since 1995, though the number of women reaching top executive levels in Fortune 500 Companies has nearly doubled in the last eight years –”Swelling to 15.7% from 8.7 – in terms of actual numbers, women executives number only 2,140 of 13,600 executives overall.

In 1900, women earned 50cents fro every dollar a man made In 1900, women earned 50cents fro every dollar a man made. A century later, they earn 76 cents.

Although women are leaving “corporate America” to start their own businesses in record numbers, “only 39% have landed loans from commercial banks, compared to 52% of male business owners.”

Bibliography Rowland, Debran. The Boundaries of Her Body: the Troubling History of Women’s Rights in America. Naperville, Illinois: Sphinx Publishing, 2004. Print.