Women address overcoming gender gaps in pay and jobs

"With the economy in a recession and the gap between economic classes increasing at an alarming rate, the people look to the new president with hope as well as skepticism," Megan Zimmerman read as she introduced the topic of this week's Women on Wednesday topic.

The speaker, Jenny Keil, is an associate professor in the School of Business at Hamline University. She has had experience in the securities industry and has research interests in compensation and gender pay differences.

She edited a book titled "Earn More, Move Up," which was directed toward the participation that women have in the economy.

In 2006, 7 million families relied on the mother's earnings in the family, and today 45 percent of household income is based upon women's earnings.

The labor force participation has also grown. In 1950, 34 percent of women participated in the economy and in 1990, 60 percent did.

Women do not go over the 60 percent regarding labor force participation.

"The glass ceiling keeps it this way. There is a lot of literature about this," Keil said. In the year 2050, it is predicted that about 55 percent of women will be involved in the labor force.

Another issue regarding women and the economy is family and raising children and how that affects income and funds.

"When a woman decides to voluntarily leave the labor force, she is not unemployed unless she is actively seeking work," Keil said.

Therefore, unemployed is not defined as simply 'without a job' it is 'without a job and actively searching for one,' which is a crucial distinction.

One difference in the workplace is the manner in which women handle situations where they need to alter hours, schedules or pay at their job.

Some women have "more difficulty de-personalizing negotiation," Keil said. Men are more likely to go to their boss and say what they want.

"The average woman - not all women - but the average woman will yell at their dog about it but won't talk to their boss," Keil said.

In two and four-year colleges, women make up 58 percent of enrolled students, but the top jobs listed in 2000 are the same as those listed in 1950: secretaries.

"If I look at female and male attorneys that attended Harvard Law and have been working for 10 years, there is still a gender gap in pay. That has to be accounted for. That's what keeps me fired up about this topic," Keil said.

Minnesota, Colorado and east coast states such as Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maryland are some of the best states for women to benefit from the economy.

Minnesota is currently ranked as the fourth best state in the U.S. for employment. The state's unemployment rate, 4.6 percent, remains below the national pace.

"If we look at metropolitan areas of men and women right out of college, there is no gap," Keil said.

Keil explained that many women expect to be earning about $50,000 after ten

years and men, $100,000. "Not every household [earns $100,000] a year, despite what Oprah, and shows like Cribs, say," Keil said.

A recent poll showed that 60% of people say that depression is likely, but depression entails a 25% unemployment rate and it is currently approximately 6%. "The goal is never 0%, it is to keep it around that healthy 5% with jobs flowing," Keil said.

There is an organization, AAUW, the American Association of University Women, which focuses on economic security, education, civil rights and budget and appropriation. Specific bills that AAUW highlighted are: Fair Minimum Wage Act, Lilly Ledbette Fair Pay Act and Paycheck Fairness Act. "Coleman votes 77% in line with AAUW," Keil said.

Obama has a ten-point plan for working women and the economy, which Keil displayed to the audience. The first goal is to a "making work pay" tax cut and the second is to increase minimum wage. Women have expectations of Obama and his plans because the economy affects women in many ways.

Keil closed with six points of suggestion: stay in school; work, serve and sacrifice; ask for a bailout; negotiate; be informed; vote, run, lead. "Negotiate for what you want or need [from your job]. Maybe you do not need to opt out," Keil said.

For more information regarding Women on Wednesday, contact the Women's Center at 320-308-4958. For more information about AAUW, visit www.aauw.org.