Women's History Month

[Lynn Smith]

We observe Women's History Month during March, which gives us an opportunity to share some wage and labor information about the women of Connecticut. Our thanks to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women for these observations:

• Women make up 51.3% of the state's labor force.
• Women make up 66.5% of private not-for-profit wage and salary workers.
• Women own almost one third of Connecticut businesses. Between 1997 and 2004 there was a 64% increase in the number of women-owned firms in the state.
• When President John F. Kennedy signed the Fair Pay Act in 1963, women made 59 cents per every $1.00 earned by a man. In 2009, in Connecticut, the number is .77 cents/$1.00. Nationwide, Hispanic women are paid 53 cents on the dollar and African American women are paid 63 cents on the dollar.
• Pay Equity Day will take place on April 12, 2011. This date symbolizes how far a woman must work into the next year to earn as much as a man earns.

Start Community Bank is honored to be represented on the City of New Haven's Committee on the Status of Women and Girls, led by Dr. Chiasara Asomugha. The group is tasked to raise awareness of issues impacting women and girls, to support an environment that empowers women and girls, and to be a resource to women and girls on health, education, and finance.