Study of Iowa Women Offered at Reduced Cost to Iowa Libraries

The following report is available to Iowa libraries for $5. Please note that when ordering you must include a self-addressed mailing label. Instructions for ordering are below.

NEW STUDY REVEALS MIXED RESULTS FOR IOWA'S WOMEN

How does the status of Iowa women compare to that of women living in other parts of the country? A new report, set for release on Nov. 19, will show mixed results.

Using data from a variety of sources, The Status of Women in Iowa report reveals where Iowa's women stand economically, how they stack up nationally on reproductive rights, women's political participation, environmental health risks, domestic violence legislation, and child support among other indicators.

The report, underwritten in part by the Chrysalis Foundation and the Iowa Women's Foundation, is fourth in a series published by the Institute of Women's Policy Studies (IWPR) in Washington, DC. The report highlights what's promising as well as what's most disappointing for women in the United States.

"The preview report indicates that women in Iowa work at higher rates than women in most of the country," says Peggy Huppert, executive director of the Chrysalis Foundation. "Unfortunately, it also reveals that Iowa women are less likely than women in most states to have a college education or work as professionals or managers."

"The report shows that Iowa clearly has room for improvement," adds Suzanne O'Dea Schenken, chairwoman of Status of Iowa Women's steering committee. "It should be a wake-up call for Iowa policymakers and activists."

Iowa is one of nine states studied in-depth by IWPR for the 2002 edition of Status of Women in the States. This brings the total number of states studied since 1996 to 42, plus the District of Columbia. The reports compare quality of life for women in all states studied and include a ranking system for a 50 state-by-state comparison. For instance, in 2000, the Status of Women in the States showed that Vermont was the best state for women overall and Mississippi was the worst.

Copies of the report cost $20.00. Through funding by the Chrysalis Foundation and the Iowa Women's Foundation, copies are available to public, university, and college libraries for $5.00 and a self-addressed mailing label. Make the check payable to Friends of ISCW (Iowa Commission on the Status of Women) and send the check and the self-addressed mailing label to: IWPR Report, c/o Suzanne O'Dea Schenken, 1680 Burr Oaks Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Send questions to: Suzanne O'Dea Schenken at suzodea@mchsi.com.