Occupational Segregation and Wealth Stripping – Two Sides of the Same Coin

The pandemic has exposed the hidden rules of our economy and education systems. Our current laws, policies, regulations, normative practices and narratives establish a racial and gender hierarchy of opportunity, ensuring Latinx and Black women are funneled into the lowest paying jobs with few employer benefits. Currently, 90% of occupations are racially segregated in the US, with race and gender being perhaps the most predominant indicators of the type of job someone can land. Research shows that employers pay men at a higher rate more in occupations that are dominated by men regardless of skill or education level. In sharp contrast, employers pay women less in occupations held primarily by women. As the rate of women working in a given occupation increases, their pay declines—even when controlling for education and skills.

In California, this means that the median annual wage among the most common jobs for Latinx women is only $27,000. Black women in California are more likely than any other group to struggle economically at all education levels. Occupational segregation has long-term impacts on the economic security and mobility of not only Black & Latinx women but also the financial well-being of their families.

Join us for a funder conversation to better understand:

• The current context around occupational segregation
• Why it is an important framework to incorporate in our drive for economic justice
• The connection between occupational segregation and wealth disparities; and
• Where funders and economic justice advocates should focus their efforts to address key drivers and support solutions

Target Audience

This program is open to members of Catalyst, Northern California Grantmakers, and Southern California Grantmakers.

If you require any accommodations to fully participate in this program, please contact [email protected].

Speakers

• Rebecca Dixon, Executive Director, National Employment Law Project (NELP)
• Zoë Melissa Polk, Executive Director, East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLW)
• Anne Price, President, Insight Center for Community Economic Development
• Rebeca Rangel, Program Officer, Y&H Soda Foundation (moderator)

In Partnership With