Women are Changing How America Works
by Connie Glaser
Best-selling author and keynote speaker Connie
Glaser is one of the country's leading experts on gender communication and women
in leadership . Exploring communication differences
between men and women, Connie offers corporate seminars on effective communications
and overcoming barriers to leadership.
One of the most profound changes in the U.S. economy in the last 50 years
has been the emergence of women’s economic clout -- as both breadwinners
and consumers. Women and Diversity WOW! Facts, published by the Business
Women’s Network, provides some thought-provoking reminders of what
we've accomplished in half a century.
Marketing clout
Did you know:
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Women bring in half or more of the income in most households
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U.S. women constitute the No. 3 market in the world; their collective
buying power exceeds the entire economy of Japan
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U.S. women buy the majority of products and services including: 82 percent
of all groceries 80 percent of health care and 51 percent of consumer electronics
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According to the National Home Builders Association, the number of female
homebuyers has more than doubled over the last 10 years
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One in four women earns more than her husband
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48 percent of business travelers are female
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Women head 40 percent of U.S. households with an income of more than
$600,000
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Women own 66 percent of home-based businesses
Growth of women owned business
Did you know:
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Today there are more than 9 million women in business for themselves,
contributing more than $3.6 trillion to the U.S. economy
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Women-owned businesses represent almost 40 percent of all businesses
in the United States, employing 27.5 million people -- more than all the
Fortune 500 combined
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The number of women-owned businesses jumped more than 43 percent over
the last three years
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Each day, 1,600 women become new business owners
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Wells Fargo and Bank of America have launched billion-dollar loan funds
targeted to women business owners
Progress of women in business
Did you know:
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In 1950, women comprised 29 percent of the U.S. work force. Today that
figure is almost 50 percent
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In the 1950s, 20 percent of women with children under age 18 worked;
today that figure is 72 percent
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Women’s influence in the workplace has made flexible schedules
a better retention tool than high salaries or stock options
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The number of female construction workers has nearly doubled in the
last 15 years
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In 1983, executive, administrative and managerial positions held by
women were at the 34 percent mark; today that figure is 46 percent
There is no doubt that women are well on their way to achieving equal opportunity
at all levels of business life. Women are being promoted in every field and
profession -- from engineering to medicine, from pharmaceuticals to sports
marketing. This is a perfect opportunity for us to pause and recognize what
women have done, how we can set new goals, and why we need to continue to
believe in ourselves without being daunted by the challenges that await us.
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