State of Our State: Women in the Workforce

Tennessee’s Economy is Hampered by a Lack of Pro-Family Policies that Support Working Women

Half of Tennessee families depend on a female breadwinner. Yet, most women in our state, especially mothers and women of color, face significant barriers to achieving economic security for themselves and their families. In fact, over 40% of female-headed households in Tennessee live in poverty.

Without pro-family policies like paid leave to care for oneself and loved ones, workplace pregnancy accommodations and access to affordable and quality child care, working mothers are often pushed out of the workforce. As recent policy changes in peer states have shown, pro-family policies that make it easier for women to join and stay in the workforce would boost economic growth and make our state a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Read the full Policy Brief below or view the PDF here.

State-of-Our-State-Policy-Brief_Gender_FINAL_updated.
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