On International Women's Day: The Data That Demands Stronger Support for Women in the Workforce
In recognition of International Women's Day on March 8th, it’s a great time to remind you of our recent research brief that powerfully highlights the immense resilience and potential of women in workforce development programs. This study, by Mighty Crow’s Co-Directors of Research and Evaluation, Dr. Brieanne Beaujolais and Dr. Rebecca McCloskey, examines the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) 2.0 program, and challenges common, deficit-based assumptions about program participants.
The brief entitled, “Examining the Effects of Motherhood, Material Hardship, and Health in Utilizing Supports and Program Outcomes in a Career Pathways Program,” provides data-driven evidence that success is achievable for all women when they are provided with equitable, strategic support.
Here are the key findings that frame our conversation this International Women's Day:
Resilience, Not Deficit: Women managing chronic health conditions and mothers facing material hardship achieved training completion rates and full-time employment outcomes comparable to their peers. This demonstrates that their success is a function of appropriate support, not the absence of challenges.
The Power of Support: The strategic utilization of support services like financial assistance, transportation, and childcare, was crucial. The findings underscore that these supports are essential investments, enabling women to successfully navigate multiple competing demands and achieve their education and career advancement goals.
A Call for Equitable Programs: On this International Women's Day, our research reinforces the call for workforce leaders, funders, and policymakers to move beyond basic access. Programs must be strengthened with flexible structures and accessible supports to ensure all women, regardless of their circumstances, have a clear and successful path to opportunity. We invite you to share this research highlighting women's resilience in completing workforce training even while juggling additional responsibilities that come with motherhood and illness.
The study offers a powerful, data-driven narrative to frame International Women's Day conversations about economic empowerment and and how strategic, systemic support helps facilitate equity in the world of work.
