March 8, 2021 is International Women's Day. Beginning in 1911, International Women's Day is a global celebration and recognition of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. IWD also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity among key issues including the gender wage gap. As a result of the pandemic, a particular workforce issue has risen from the ongoing economic downturn. C Nicole Mason, president and chief executive of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, first referred to the disproportionate loss of jobs by women as a "shecession." Since February 2020, more than 11 million women have lost their jobs and another 2.65 million have left the workforce, according to an IWPR analysis of labor department data.
While North Star of Chester County serves single mothers and single fathers, more than 90% of the families we serve are led by women. During the pandemic, we are proud to report none of our mothers have faced eviction. Several, however, have been unable to work. Many were furloughed or laid off during the early days of the pandemic. Others, for whom there is no option to work safely and provide for their children, have not been able to rejoin the workforce. As moms returned to their jobs, they found themselves facing new challenges such as being behind in their rent or additional burdensome childcare costs. North Star continues to support these hardworking women, dedicated to their success while we guide them through this pandemic, toward self-sufficiency.
Learn more about International Women's Day here: International Women's Day 2021
Learn more about the "shecession": How the 'shecession' will cause long-term harm for women in the US
Support North Star of Chester County's hardworking women by donating to our homelessness prevention and self-sufficiency program: Donate