“The Economic Status of Women in South Carolina:
Wide Disparities by Race and Ethnicity”

The Alliance for Women at Columbia College and the South Carolina Commission on Women today announced a new report regarding the economic status of women in South Carolina.
 
The report, commissioned by The Alliance for Women and the South Carolina Commission on Women (SCCW), provides a scorecard on the progress made by South Carolina women since the formation of The Alliance and the last study, which was completed in 2004.  The report examines how women in South Carolina fare on 8 indicators of women’s economic status in comparison with women in other states in the region and with women nationally:

• Women’s earnings         
  
• The wage gap
  
• Women’s participation in the workforce
  
• Women in managerial and professional occupations
  
• Health insurance coverage
  
• Educational attainment
  
• Business ownership
  
• Women and poverty

 
“When we began The Alliance, our public-private partnership with the Commission on Women, we made a commitment both to work to improve the economic, health, and political climate for South Carolina’s women and to provide tracking of the results of our efforts.  This report shows that we are making progress, but we still have work to do,” said Dr. Caroline Whitson, president of Columbia College.

Four years ago, a groundbreaking economic impact study showed that if wage and gender participation gaps in South Carolina were closed by only 10 percent, it would translate into a $1.3 billion annual increase in female earnings, which would ripple through the state's economy. In that study, South Carolina ranked 50th out of 50 states based on employment and earnings, social and economic autonomy, reproductive rights, health and well-being, and political participation.
 
The new report details a number of recommendations for policy and practice to improve women’s lives and to promote a more productive state economy. The IWPR’s recommendations closely align with the three top priorities of The Alliance and the South Carolina Commission on Women: improvement in women’s economic autonomy, health and well-being and political participation.
 
Completed by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) in Washington, D.C., this study demonstrates what can be accomplished in the unique public-private partnership between Columbia College and the Governor’s South Carolina Commission on Women. It outlines the next steps needed to move the economic autonomy of women forward.
 
“The findings of the IWPR report underscore the importance of the work being done by The Alliance, SCCW, Columbia College and their partners,” said Margaret Pope, chair of the South Carolina Commission on Women. “This report shows that measurable gains are being made, and that our priorities are well-chosen,” says Pope. 
 
Highlights from the IWPR report:
Download the full report:  IWPR SC Report

Women in South Carolina: What’s Promising?

• South Carolina ranks in the top half of states for the percentage of working women in managerial and professional occupations, at 18th.
  
• South Carolina ranks 4th of 9 states in the South Atlantic region for women’s labor force participation.
• African American women in South Carolina are more likely to have health insurance than their national counterparts.

Women in South Carolina: What’s Disappointing?

• South Carolina ranks 31st or lower on every indicator of women’s economic status except women in managerial and professional occupations.
• It ranks in the bottom third of states on women’s earnings (40th), educational attainment (37th), and poverty (39th).
• South Carolina falls at the very bottom of the middle third of states for the wage gap (33rd), the percent of women with health insurance coverage (34th), and the percent of women-owned businesses (34th). It is also near the bottom of the middle third for women’s labor force participation (31st).
• African American women earn little more than half of what white men in the state earn and are half as likely to hold a four year college degree as white women.
• African American and Hispanic women in South Carolina are much more likely to be poor than white and Asian American women.

 
In addition to partnering with established organizations working to improve the status of women in South Carolina, The Alliance for Women at Columbia College is establishing chapters of The Alliance throughout the state. In 2005-2008, The Alliance continues working to determine root causes of inequities for women through on-going research; identifying best practices that have been effective in improving the status of women; and developing measureable programs focusing on education, entrepreneurship ,political participation, and health and well-being.

The Alliance for Women has a simple and important mission: to improve the status of women in South Carolina. Spearheaded in 2004 by Columbia College through a unique public-private partnership with the with the South Carolina Commission on Women, The Alliance for Women is a network of colleges, universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, and individuals dedicated to working together to bring about positive changes that will improve the lives of all citizens of the State. Visit www.allianceforwomen.net for more information.
 
The South Carolina Commission on Women, established in 1971, has the mission to enhance the quality of life for all South Carolinians by promoting equality of opportunity for South Carolina women and their families. Under this charge, the Commission advises the Governor on matters related to the needs of women in South Carolina. Visit www.oepp.sc.gov/sccw for more information.