BY: RACHEL WUMKES

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th each year.  It is a key focal point in the movement for women’s rights.

Women have come a long way through the years, but the fight is not over.  Facing challenges in the workplace, politics, and social climates is still very real.  Each year, a theme is chosen to represent the collective premise of women.  In 2020, the focus of International Women’s Day campaign is #EachforEqual, focusing on the collaboration of women as a whole to drive gender equality.

Each of us acting alone would face obstacles, battling against a force unable and unwilling to make any change.  But together, we can provide unified direction, spurring transformation toward a gender equal world.

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According to the International Women’s Day website…

Equality is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue.  Gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive. 

A gender equal world can be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious – so what’s not great about that?

The race is on for the gender equal boardroom, a gender equal government, gender equal media coverage, gender equal workplaces, gender equal sports coverage, more gender equality in health and wealth … so let’s make it happen. Let’s be #EachforEqual.

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As it turns out, Iowa is a great state for women!  According to WalletHub, who compared all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, against twenty-four indicators of living standards for women, Iowa came up with the following accolades:

  1. Iowa ranks #3 as the overall best state for women.
  2. Iowa is tied for 1st (with 5 other states) for the lowest unemployment rate for women.
  3. Iowa is #5 for the highest high school graduation rate of women.

I must admit, seeing these statistics make me proud to be a woman living in Iowa.  As a bonus – we hit ZERO of the negative lists.  Pretty impressive, Iowa ladies!

So put your arms out front and strike the #EachforEqual pose to motivate others and to make International Women’s Day your day.

Do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women everywhere.