On October 24, I had the privilege to attend Raise the Bar Fundraising, an annual event organized by Women’s Fund Miami. Proceeds from this event support programs in Miami that aim to combat sex trafficking, domestic violence, and  the four pillars of Women’s Fund Miami: Freedom from Violence, Economic Mobility, Leadership and Health & Well-Being.

Here are few alarming data points concerning women in Miami-Dade County (click here for the source):

BARRIERS TO WOMEN’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES:

• The Motherhood Penalty: Mothers face lower wages, reduced promotion opportunities, and limited career growth due to their disproportionate caregiving responsibilities. The absence of affordable, quality childcare and early childhood education are barriers to women’s labor force participation.

• Savings, Retirement and Wealth: Lower earnings, lower labor force participation, and less wealth accumulation often lead to lower savings and lower quality of life in retirement. Due to the pay gap, women receive less in Social Security and pensions, and accumulate only 70% of men’s overall retirement income.

• Access to Housing: Housing unaffordability disproportionately affects communities of color, particularly women of color, due to their high poverty rates. Black and Hispanic individuals, especially women, and families with children face elevated risks of eviction than people with similar income levels.

FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE:

• In 2021, women accounted for 71% of domestic violence victims.
• In 2021, women accounted for 81% of sexual offenses victims.
• In 2022, women were 95% of human trafficking victims.

We all know it: women don’t have it easy in a culture where the “village”, or the support system, no longer exists for women, mothers, and children.  While we can’t change policy, we can change the fabric and the quality of our own lives. For that reason, I host the WOMEN’S CIRCLE on zoom every month, free of charge. I hope you will join me and other fabulous women, just like you, on November 9, at 10 AM EST.

Sign up to reserve your spot: click here!