The gender wage gap – women earning less than men – is not a new problem. It’s been in the news and on the lips of advocates for decades, yet it still exists and researchers predict that the gap won’t close for decades if the current rate of progress continues. What if the gender wage gap, finally, disappeared? The impact on poverty in Colorado alone would be staggering; if Colorado women earned the same as comparable men, the poverty rate for all working women would be but in half.

Join the Women’s Foundation of Colorado and Colorado State University’s Department of Women’s Studies and Gender Research at 6 p.m. Monday, March 28, in the Lory Student Center Room 350A to learn more about the gender pay gap and other critical issues that affect the economic advancement of women in Colorado.

“This event intends to examine the economic status of women in Colorado towards making some action recommendations,” said Caridad Souza, director of the Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research at CSU. “I urge anyone who is interested in the well-being of women, and their children and communities to attend and listen to what the future holds for women in the state.”

The Women’s Foundation will share key learnings from the research report The Economic Status of Women in Colorado, 2015, including the where the pay gap stands, how different populations are affected, and what this means for Colorado women, families, and the economy. The Women’s Foundation also will share policy recommendations to help accelerate closing the gap.

Following the presentation, a diverse panel of women will discuss the issue, and there will be time for a Q and A session.

“Accelerating all women’s progress is not only key to improving the well-being of women, children, families, and communities, it is critical for improving the economy for everyone in Colorado,” said Alison Friedman, manager of community initiatives and investments at The Women’s Foundation of Colorado.

“Pay equity is a big part of the equation. If Colorado women earned the same as comparable men, the poverty rate for all working women would be cut in half. Students can help create change by voting for officials who support pay equity, by having open conversations about women’s earnings with employers, and pursuing careers where the pay gap is smaller, such as engineering.”

Presenters and panelists are:

• Nancy Hartley, CSU emeritus professor, will serve as the moderator
• Alex Bernasek, CSU professor of feminist economics
• Michelle Webster, Colorado Center on Law and Policy research and policy analysis manager
• Louise Myrland, Women’s Foundation of Colorado vice president of Community Initiatives and Investments
• Stephanie Slayton, Project Self-Sufficiency program manager and advisor

For more information, contact wfco@wfco.org or call 303-285-2961.