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Washington, DC -- Domestic issues are far more important to
workingwomen than terrorism and international issues according
to a survey, Workingwomen Speak Out, conducted by the Business
and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation. When asked
“which issues will influence your vote the most,”
fully 79% of the respondents chose “domestic issues
such as joblessness and education” and only 21% choose
“international issues such as terrorism and trade.”
The choice of domestic issues over terrorism
and trade held for workingwomen of every political affiliation.
Republican workingwomen chose domestic issues by two to one
over terrorism and trade (67% - 33%), Independents chose domestic
issues four to one (79% - 21%) and Democratic workingwomen
split nearly seven to one (87% - 13%).
“As the United States approaches what
may be a very close Presidential election, the 68 million
workwomen are a key voting population. Understanding their
attitudes and concerns sheds light on their likely voting
behavior. For political candidates who want to know ‘What
do workingwomen want?’ this survey provides some very
clear answers,” said BPW Foundation Chair Pat Cornish.
Between fall 2003 and spring 2004, the BPW
Foundation conducted a survey of American workingwomen about
their workplace, security and quality of life concerns. The
7377 respondents are a broad cross-section of workingwomen
from every region of the United States, every income level
and every demographic. The responses were analyzed by the
Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR).
Health care is the most important concern
to workingwomen both as a political issue and as a workplace
issue. As a political issue 98% said health care costs are
of major (86%) or moderate (12%) importance with only 2% saying
it is of minor or no importance. As an employer benefit, health
insurance ranks first with 86% saying it is of major importance
and only 4% choosing minor importance or no importance.
“Health care emerging as a key concern
should probably not come as a surprise. Rising health care
costs are a major threat to families’ economic well-being,”
according to Dr. Sheila Barry-Oliver, Chair of the BPW Foundation
Research and Education Committee, “since nearly one
in five American workers has no health insurance, while many
others have inadequate coverage.”
“Women’s first focus is not homeland
security but their families’ economic security: getting
a good job, being able to afford health care, buying a home,
ensuring they have enough to live on when they retire,”
said Vicky Lovell, Study Director for the Institute for Women’s
Policy Research and author of the report. “And African
American women feel even greater anxiety about economic security
than white women.”
In addition to health insurance, other employer
benefits of major importance included Flexible Work Schedules
(57%), Leave to Care for Sick Family Members (53%) and the
Amount of Sick and Disability Leave (52%).
“Overall, the survey responses reflect
our uncertain economic times and a broad lack of policy support
for workers with family care responsibilities,” said
Dr. Lovell.
“It is interesting to note that the
survey shows support for the women’s movement is overwhelmingly
main stream among American workingwomen,” said Pat Cornish.
More than three out of four workingwomen (77%) report that
the women’s movement has helped their own career growth
and 92% approve of Title IX, the federal law that ensures
equal opportunities for girls and women in high school and
college athletics.
While reaching a broad cross-section of workingwomen
compared to all working women, the respondent pool includes
fewer women less than 36 years of age and more over age 50.
On average, those taking the survey had higher educational
achievement than the general female working population and
higher personal income. “These are women who vote and
who the campaigns are trying to reach,” said Pat Cornish.
Workingwomen Speak Out was a collaborative
effort. The BPW Foundation developed the overall project and
constructed the survey, Business and Professional Women/USA
members implemented the survey through their Local Organizations
in conjunction with National Business Women’s Week and
IWPR analyzed the survey responses and prepared the report
with review by the BPW Foundation Research and Education Committee.
The survey was supported by Sprint.
NOTE: Copies of the Executive Summary and full report are
available from the BPW Foundation by calling Sherry Saunders,
(202) 777-8933, or online at www.bpwusa.org
in the Press Room
www.liwomen.com
September 2004
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