Alabama: 51st in Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being
WalletHub just published its list of the best and worst states for women, and Alabama has ranked 50th overall. The state also ranked last place (51st) in women’s economic and social well-being specifically.
To rank the states, the company scored all 50 states plus the District of Columbia across two key categories, “Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being” and “Women’s Health Care & Safety.” The state ranked 47th in health and safety.
The metrics used to score the economic and social well-being category included:
*Median Earnings for Female Workers: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.*Unemployment Rate for Women: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
*Job Security for Women: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
Note: (Number of Female Employees in 2021 - Number of Female Employees in 2020) / Number of Female Employees in 2020.*Share of Women Living in Poverty: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
Unaffordability of Doctor’s Visit: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of women who could not afford to see a doctor in the past year due to costs.Share of Women-Owned Businesses: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
“Economic Clout” of Women-Owned Firms Rank: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
Note: Combined economic clout rank is an averaging of the individual rankings of the 1) number, 2) revenue and 3) employment growth of women-owned firms between 2007 and 2018.High School Graduation Rate for Women: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
*Friendliness Toward Working Moms: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst States for Working Moms” ranking.*Friendliness Toward Women’s Equality: Triple Weight (~12.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst States for Women's Equality” ranking.Share of Women Who Voted in the 2020 Presidential Election: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Number of Women Who Voted in 2020 Presidential Election / Total Female U.S. Citizen Population in State Aged 18 or Older.
At Alabama Goodwill Industries, we work to address these needs and disparities through our mission and programs. Through direct employment opportunities, free trainings, free certifications, and other course curriculums, we work to help people break down barriers to opportunity and improve their lives. Our goal is to provide open doors and great opportunities, especially to Alabama’s women. Ultimately our programs and jobs serve as a launchpad to higher paying careers and steady employment that improve lives of hundreds of Alabamians daily.
In 2021 alone, 73% of our new team members were women, and 64% of our GOOD Works clients were women. We are proud to be tackling these issues, but these rankings reaffirm our mission’s importance and the need for support of our ongoing expansion efforts. There is still significant work to be done and your financial donations, goods donations, and purchases at our retail stores help us continue to grow so that we can meet more needs.
*= Alabama Goodwill mission addresses