Dear Friends,

Just a few short months ago, we were celebrating a booming economy as measured by record low unemployment numbers and a bullish stock market—what the pandemic has revealed is that the economy was not as robust as we had initially thought.

In fact, it wasn’t working for a great majority of women and families—many of whom were already living paycheck-to-pay check.

Since late March, the number of jobless or unemployment claims have reached 30 million, and will continue to grow. Women, because of their over-representation in the service sector, have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, shouldering nearly 60 percent of job losses. Without stable or reliable childcare, job insecurity fueled by inflexible work schedules, and the lack of paid leave, women will continue to lose a disproportionate number of jobs.

To be sure, this is an extraordinary time in our nation’s history, a time not seen since the Great Depression.

For our part, IWPR is on the frontlines producing valuable research, advancing bold policy strategies and standing alongside our partners to make sure the most vulnerable among us are not left behind now or during the recovery.

Here's how we are helping:

Shaping the National Conversation & Advancing Bold Ideas

What does this moment mean for women? When they ask, we answer with timely research and analysis that helps shed light on the experiences of women during the pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, we have deployed our research and experts to major news outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Forbes Magazine, Time Magazine, and CNN, among many others.

Today, you can catch Nicole on PBS’ To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe at 5:30 p.m. EST discussing the impact of COVID-19 on women and the economy.

Responding in Real Time with Sound Research and Analysis

With schools and childcare centers closed, the pandemic has forced many working mothers into an impossible position: take care of their children or risk losing their job. Nearly every week, IWPR is releasing new research and data the impact of pandemic on working women and their families.

We recently released a brief the challenges student-parents as result of COVID-19 on how we might support their success.

What I know for sure is that even as stay-at-home orders are lifted across the country, economic recovery will be slow and take time. As a result, we will have to link arms, support our neighbors and ask more of ourselves, and from those who lead us.


What I am most hopeful about is that the pandemic will provide the nation with an opportunity to imagine an economy that works for everyone—from our tiniest citizen to the mighty business titan.


Here’s how you can support our work:

  • Make a donation online
  • Follow us on social media @IWPResearch
  • Text IWPR to 56525 to stay up on what’s happening at IWPR
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Institute for Women's Policy Research

1200 18th Street NW, Suite 301

Washington, DC 20036

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