Latest news with #TexasWomen'sFoundation
CBS News
26-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Texas Women's Foundation highlights $60 billion wage gap, urges action on equal pay
Various research typically points to the state of Texas as one of the largest economies in the United States; however, new data from the Texas Women's Foundation amplifies a systematic gender pay gap that could have widespread economic implications across the state. The foundation's new white paper, Texas Women and the Wage Gap: A Corporate Leader's Guide to Driving Workforce Sustainability, notes that the wage gap has increased since 2019 to $60.1 billion annually in lost earnings and lost economic productivity for the state. Karen Hughes White, the President and CEO of the Texas Women's Foundation, said the data was released intentionally on March 25, often recognized as Equal Pay Day. "The Equal Pay Act was passed in the 1970s, yet we are still discussing pay for equal work," she said. "The urgency around this now is that women comprise 46% of the Texas workforce and that's growing." Read the full report here . "Over a lifetime, the average Texas woman stands to lose $750,000 in lifetime earnings. That's game-changing for women," Hughes White said. Hughes White said the designation for Equal Pay Day represents the amount of extra time women have to work in order to earn as much as men did in the previous year. "The most shocking part of the data is how the age gap widens based on women's education. In Texas the more educated a woman is, the wider the wage gap is, [but] If we could just cut that wage gap the same as men with advanced degrees, it would actually cut the economic impact of the wage gap in half for equal work. We've been asking a long time." Hughes White said for the average Texas woman, the ever-widening gap can impact her ability to achieve long-term economic security, stability and success for herself and her family. According to Hughes White, that is not the only barrier for women to participate consistently and fully in the Texas economic landscape. While the equal pay date is tied specifically to white women, Black and Hispanic women typically work much longer to achieve equal pay. "The Texas economy which is [among] the largest and the strongest in the nation, is increasingly dependent on women to drive its success. The time is now for change and the time is now to act," she said. Texas Women's Foundation offers statewide research on the issues impacting Texas women and girls and provides corporate, state and local decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. Hughes White said one way the foundation works to raise awareness around the wage gap across North Texas is by offering practical tools for women to pursue pay equity. "When people know the issues, we can solve the issues, it's going to take all of us to do it," she said. The foundation will offer salary negotiation workshops on April 17 and May 15.
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Texas Women's Foundation Releases New Data on the Economic Impact of the Wage Gap in Texas
Closing the wage gap could add more than $60.1 billion annually to the Texas economy 'Women represent 46% of the workforce in Texas and drive much of the growth and innovation of the state's $2.4 trillion economy. It's time to invest in women and that starts with closing the wage gap.' — Karen Hughes White, President and CEO of Texas Women's Foundation DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, March 25, 2025 / / -- As a follow-on to its 2024 Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report, Texas Women's Foundation (TXWF) has released new data on the impact of the wage gap on women, families, and the state's economy. In the white paper, ' Texas Women and the Wage Gap: A Corporate Leader's Guide to Driving Workforce Sustainability,' TXWF shares that the annual impact of the wage gap has grown 27% since 2019 to a staggering $60.1 billion annually in lost earnings and economic activity. Over her lifetime, the average Texas woman stands to lose $750,000 in earnings, impacting her ability to achieve economic security, stability and success – for herself and her family. Karen Hughes White, president and CEO of Texas Women's Foundation, said, 'Women represent 46% of the workforce in Texas and drive much of the growth and innovation of the state's $2.4 trillion economy. Couple that with population projections that indicate the continued, outpaced growth of women in Texas and the business case is clear. To sustain the level of economic success we enjoy here in Texas, the time is now to invest in women and that starts with closing the wage gap.' As a core pillar of its mission, TXWF invests in women's lifecycle leadership development through programs like #BestSelf (teens); the statewide Young Women's Initiative in partnership with IGNITE (college women); and networking groups like Nineteen (early to mid-career professionals) and the Executive Leadership Council. Each year TXWF recognizes outstanding women leaders at its Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration. This year's event will take place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Dallas Omni and will honor five recipients of the Maura 'Women Helping Women' Awards and two Young Leaders under 40 years old. Key findings from the white paper are highlighted below and are included in a Key Facts document available on the organization's website, In addition, TXWF will be hosting free Work Smart™ salary negotiation workshops in partnership with the American Association of University Women. These virtual workshops will take place on April 17 and May 15 and participants can register online. Hughes White added, 'We're releasing this data intentionally today. March 25th is recognized as 'Equal Pay Day,' representing the amount of extra time women have to work in order to earn as much as much as men did in the previous year. Unfortunately, this date is tied specifically to white women; Black and Hispanic women work much longer to achieve equal pay. The time is now to change that.' Texas Women & the Wage Gap: Key Findings: • Representing 46% of the Texas workforce, women play a pivotal role in driving the growth and innovation of the state's $2.4 trillion economy. • Texas women earn an average of 83% of what Texas men earn and Women of Color earn even less. • This equates to $60.1 billion in lost earnings for women each year and has a direct impact on consumer spending and economic growth. • The wage gap in Texas has widened over time, growing more than 27% since 2019. • Over her lifetime, the average Texas woman stands to lose $750,000 in earnings, impacting her ability to achieve economic security, stability, and success for herself and her family. • Sadly, the wage gap widens as women achieve advanced degrees. Women with graduate or professional degrees earn $37,000 less each year than their male counterparts. • The lack of access to affordable child care has an additional $11.4 billion annual impact in lost productivity. To read the white paper and the 2024 Economic Issues for Women in Texas, visit About Texas Women's Foundation: Texas Women's Foundation (TXWF) raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6 million in investments each year that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through research, advocacy, grantmaking and leadership programs. . Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $85 million in Texas women and girls. As the organization prepares to celebrate its 40th year, the need to build #StrongWomenBetterWorld has never been more critical. The Foundation's statewide research on the issues impacting Texas women and girls provides corporate, state and local decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and leadership programs support solutions that help Texas women and girls survive and thrive. In addition, Texas Women's Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the impact investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram. X LinkedIn Instagram Legal Disclaimer:
Associated Press
29-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Texas Women's Foundation Honors Leaders at its Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration on May 8
Texas Women's Foundation has announced details of its Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration on May 8, 2025, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. 'We invite you to join us as we pour into the next generation of leaders at #BESTSELF and then hear from our stellar slate of honorees who have dedicated themselves to uplifting women and girls.' — Texas Women's Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, January 29, 2025 / / -- Texas Women's Foundation has announced details of its Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration on May 8, 2025, at the Omni Dallas Hotel (555 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202). The day begins with #BESTSELF, an event designed to empower teen girls to prioritize their health and wellbeing, develop strong communication and conflict resolution skills and lean into leadership opportunities. The evening dinner and Awards Celebration honors the 2025 Maura Women Helping Women and Young Leader recipients. Co-chairs for the event are business and community leaders Debbie Dennis, Chief Customer Officer and SVP Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at Oncor Electric Delivery, and Brooke Hopkins, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal. Texas Women's Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White said, 'We invite you to join us on May 8th as we pour into the next generation of leaders at #BESTSELF and then hear from our stellar slate of honorees who have dedicated themselves and their careers to uplifting women, girls and families to strengthen our communities.' Maura Women Helping Women Award: For 46 years, the Maura Women Helping Women Award has been presented to more than 230 courageous individuals who have catalyzed change for women and girls. Brenda Jackson, selection co-chair and former Maura Women Helping Women Award recipient, and Carrie Freeman Parsons, TXWF Board Chair and selection co-chair, led the committee to select the following honorees: Cynt Marshall, Marshalling Resources Founder and The Dallas Mavericks (retired CEO) Anne Chow, The Rewired CEO Founder Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D., Texas Woman's University Chancellor and President Jennifer Bartkowski, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas CEO Nirupama 'Rupa' DeSilva, M.D., Parkland Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center Professor Young Leader Award: The Young Leader Award recognizes breakthrough leadership exhibited by a trailblazer who is achieving success in a field, initiative or sector, and creating a path of opportunity for other women to follow. This year's recipients: Haleigh Jones, Crawford, Wishnew & Lang Attorney Cristal Retana Lule, Children's Health Vice President of Community Relations To learn more about this event and purchase a sponsorship, visit For those interested in sponsorship, contact Joy Busch at [email protected] or 214-525-5321. About Texas Women's Foundation: One of the largest women's foundations in the country, Texas Women's Foundation (TXWF) knows that now more than ever is the time to create more equitable communities to build #StrongWomenBetterWorld. TXWF raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6 million in investments each year that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through research, advocacy, grantmaking and strategic/educational initiatives. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $85 million in Texas women and girls. The Foundation's statewide research on issues impacting Texas women and girls provides corporate, state and local decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and educational initiatives support solutions that help Texas women and girls survive and thrive. In addition, Texas Women's Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now. Legal Disclaimer:
