(COLUMBIA, SC) On behalf of The Alliance for Women -- a private-public partnership between Columbia College and the S.C. Commission on Women -- Columbia College President Dr. Caroline Whitson has announced the results of a study to determine the economic impact to the State of South Carolina of the current low status of women and the economic benefits if the status were improved. The survey was funded by the New Morning Foundation.

South Carolina currently ranks 50th out of 50 states in the status of women, based on employment and earnings, social and economic autonomy, reproductive rights, health and well-being, and political participation.

According to the results of the study, if women participated in the workforce at the same rate as men and were paid at the same rate, the benefit to the state, just in direct new wages earned, would be $12.7 billion, with a total impact of $16.9 billion -- a figure that rivals the revenue generated by South Carolina's tourism industry.

Using a more realistic short-term figure, if wage and gender participation gaps were closed by only 10 percent, it would translate into a $1.3 billion annual increase in female earnings in South Carolina, which would ripple through the state's economy as follows:

•A total economic impact annually of $1.4 billion
•A total impact on household labor earnings of $1.7 billion
•A total impact on employment equal to 14,750 jobs
•Increased state tax revenues of $104 million annually

The Alliance will begin addressing issues affecting women's status immediately, with plans to focus in 2005-06 on 1) increasing women's business ownership, and 2) increasing the number of women in policy roles on boards and commissions. The group will also work with existing organizations within the state to support legislative and program changes in areas of domestic violence, reducing teen pregnancy, and encouraging young women to consider non-traditional career fields.

For more information on the economic impact study or The Alliance, visit the Alliance website at www.allianceforwomen.net or contact:

Dr. Linda Salane
803.786.3748
lsalane@colacoll.edu