Alina Dangerfield sat down with one of the pioneers of a newly released study that looks into how certain issues impact Nevada women.
In more than two decades, there hasn’t been any comprehensive data regarding women, and their status and achievements released in Nevada. That is, until this week.
In partnership with the Guinn Center, the Nevada Women’s Fund championed a report that dives into eight major categories regarding women. Those are economics, affordability, education, health, safety, political representation, entrepreneurship, and retirement. The entire study can be viewed here: THE STATUS AND ACHIEVEMENT OF WOMEN IN NEVADA.
The CEO and President of the Nevada Women’s Fund explained why this report was so important to not only Nevada women, but also men and children who live in the Silver State.
“I'm often asked, how can we drive change? What can we do to support progress,” said Ila Friedenthal. “And I respond with, how can we talk about progress when we don't have a benchmark for where we are today? So how can we move the needle when we don't know where the needle is? And that changes with this report.”
One of the main catalysts to create the report is to hopefully influence lawmakers and those with the ability to make change. They also want to help women in Nevada understand more about the reality of not only their lives, but the lives of others.
The report dives into the details not just of overall Nevada, but looks at it county by county, and then compares it to the state and the nation.
“One of the things that we know as proud Nevadans is that often right now, we're at the bottom of every good list, in the top of every bad list. And part of this report is highlighting the good things that are happening in the state of Nevada,” said Friedenthal. “And there are good things. And the report does show those while, still recognizing and acknowledging what we need to work on.”
She says this adds to the list of things that Nevada is doing really well to drive change and advocate for progress for women, in other states as well.
“That begins with acknowledging that there are barriers, there are differences, across the board in opportunities for women and it begins here,” she says.
Some of the data points to information that may shock some, like how large the wage gap between men and women is in some parts of the state, and how the economy is impacted by women. There isn’t a single county that found men and women making the same wages, with some women only earning 53 cents on the dollar that men make.
Most of the businesses started in 2024 were by women, not men. However, there are disparities in management positions held by women compared to men, with women holding more but still making less.
Another data point that stands out is that women are more likely to get their high school degree, and any after that, than men in Nevada. Certain counties show how large that gap can be, as well as the way age group factors into it.
The report was created when the organization found there was a lack of information about Nevada women.
