Women Driving Workplace Equality in North Carolina
As we commemorate Women’s History Month, it’s vital to illuminate the obstacles and disparities faced by women in the workforce in North Carolina. The recently published State of Working Women 2023 report sheds a revealing light on the daily realities confronting women, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change.
The report underscores a harsh reality: poverty rates are disproportionately higher for women across all demographics in North Carolina compared to men. Gender-based occupational segregation exacerbates this imbalance, funneling women into lower-paying fields. These findings underscore the daunting economic landscape for women in our state.
Mama Cookie Bradley, a prominent worker leader in the Union of Southern Service Workers (USSW) in Durham, NC, shared her firsthand experiences, highlighting the power dynamics prevalent in workplaces. “It’s a power thing with managers… They look at Latina women, Black and Brown women and think: ‘[They] have to work. [They] have to make money. [They]’re poor. [They] have to have this money.’”
Candice, an advocate and esthetician based in Charlotte, NC, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the disproportionate burden shouldered by women, particularly Black women, as caregivers. “Often, people don’t understand that we [Black women] are the caretakers of our families…When someone gets sick, more than likely, it’s going to be the woman that is going to [take care of them].”
Often, people don’t understand that we [Black women] are the caretakers of our families… When someone gets sick, more than likely, it’s going to be the woman that is going to [take care of them].
Candice | Advocate and Business Owner
The report, most importantly, sheds light on the unequal burden women carry with regard to unpaid caregiving, with women accounting for a significant portion of the annual $16 billion in unpaid eldercare work in North Carolina, according to AARP. Despite making up nearly half of the workforce, women still perform the overwhelming majority of child, elder and adult caregiving work in families. Combined with a lack of supportive policies for working caregivers, the caregiving imbalance puts women at a disadvantage in the workplace, decreasing women’s chances for promotion, advancement and leadership, and in the long run exacerbating economic insecurity for women.
Blanca, an advocate and admin manager in Knightdale, NC, expressed her dismay at the lack of support from employers and policymakers. “I’m just baffled every single time about how little North Carolina cares about the working person […] we are not asking for free handouts. We’re asking […] to have some decent human compassion.”
Monica*, an immigrant farmworker in North Carolina who was a victim of human trafficking, provided poignant insights into the intersectionality of these issues. “To be truthful, to be a woman that is an immigrant, we go through a lot of struggles. Women, like men who are immigrants, go through a lot of discrimination and fear; we go without eating, and we cry a lot because of the terror and anguish we feel.”
To be truthful, to be a woman that is an immigrant, we go through a lot of struggles. Women, like men who are immigrants, go through a lot of discrimination and fear; we go without eating, and we cry a lot because of the terror and anguish we feel.
Monica* |Immigrant Farmworker
Despite these challenges, there is optimism on the horizon. Women like Mama Cookie are leading efforts in Durham to organize and advocate for workers’ rights and unionization. Ariana, a restaurant and union member in Asheville, NC, reflects this spirit of resilience. “They weren’t supporting us in any way. We heard about Starbucks unionizing. We knew about Amazon unionizing. We knew about this movement that was happening all over the country and all over the world. And we decided, why not Green Sage? Why not try?”
They weren’t supporting us in any way. We heard about Starbucks unionizing. We knew about Amazon unionizing. We knew about this movement that was happening all over the country and all over the world. And we decided, why not Green Sage? Why not try?
Ariana | Restaurant Worker and Union Member
The report also highlights these positive trends, such as the increasing percentage of women workers in unions in North Carolina over the last decade, underscoring the impact of collective action led by women in advancing workplace rights and protections.
As we celebrate the achievements of women throughout history this Women’s History Month, let us recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for equity and justice in the workplace. By amplifying women’s voices, advocating for policy reform, and supporting grassroots movements, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Join us in championing change and shaping a brighter tomorrow for working women in North Carolina. #StateofWorkingWomen #StateofWorkingNC #SOWNC2023 #SOWNC #WorkingWomen #NCGA
*Name withheld to protect worker’s privacy and safety