Why Women and Girls?

* Women bear disproportionately the burden of working and taking care of children, husbands and parents.
* They are more likely to be isolated and live in poverty.
* They are more likely not to voice their needs, lest they draw attention away from the needs of their children, aging parents and spouses or partners.

The Status of Women and Girls in Weld County 2001, sponsored by the Weld County Women's Fund, lists some sobering facts:

* Almost 25% of the women aged 25 years or older in Weld County never graduated from high school.
* In Weld County, 202 girls and teens dropped out of school in 1999-2000.
* Almost half of all female-headed households are estimated to be living below the poverty line.
* In 1990, Weld County women working full time had a median income that was 62.9% of the median income of men who worked full time.

Lifting women up and improving their ability to take care of themselves and others will strengthen the entire community.

Did you know...

13.5% of women and girls in Weld County live in poverty?

Almost 25% of the women aged 25 years or older in Weld County never graduated from high school