Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
<img loading="" class="lazyload size-article_feature" data-sizes="auto" alt="

Note: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and rape.

The #MeToo movement ushered in a modern wave of feminism, with a new generation of activists building off work done by the feminists in previous waves to highlight long-standing issues while articulating structural solutions. Women’s rights have come a long way since the suffragettes won women the right to vote in 1920, after 100 years of work, or when the second-wave feminist movement demanded and won the right to abortion after a decade of activism.

But while women won the right the vote, they remain underrepresented in the nation’s halls of power: 24 women (24%) currently serve in the Senate

, and 119 women (27.4%) currently serve in the House of Representatives. And those numbers are even more dire considering women of color. Of those 143 women currently serving in the 117th Congress, 51 are women of color—and despite the overall low numbers, Congress is the most diverse it’s ever been. Still, when Kamala Harris became the first woman and person of color to win the vice presidency, her exit from the Senate left it without a single Black woman. Women won the right to vote more than 100 years ago, but we’ve never had a female president.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the frail gains made by women, as the economic recession and job losses have primarily harmed women who have been forced out of jobs in order to take on the labor of childcare and as fathers fail to step up to perform an equal share of household work. Women also are more likely to work in low-wage and precarious jobs in the industries that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, including restaurants, retail, hospitality, and health care. This points to the fact that even before the pandemic, women overall are more impoverished than men. Nearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers in the U.S. are women. And while the Equal Pay Act federally mandates equal pay, the gender gap still exists, with women making 81 cents to every man’s dollar in 2020. When the wage gap incorporates race, Black and Latina women make only 75 cents on the dollar—25% less than what their white male counterpart makes. (Canva)” title=”

Note: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and rape.

The #MeToo movement ushered in a modern wave of feminism, with a new generation of activists building off work done by the feminists in previous waves to highlight long-standing issues while articulating structural solutions. Women’s rights have come a long way since the suffragettes won women the right to vote in 1920, after 100 years of work, or when the second-wave feminist movement demanded and won the right to abortion after a decade of activism.

But while women won the right the vote, they remain underrepresented in the nation’s halls of power: 24 women (24%) currently serve in the Senate, and 119 women (27.4%) currently serve in the House of Representatives. And those numbers are even more dire considering women of color. Of those 143 women currently serving in the 117th Congress, 51 are women of color—and despite the overall low numbers, Congress is the most diverse it’s ever been. Still, when Kamala Harris became the first woman and person of color to win the vice presidency, her exit from the Senate left it without a single Black woman. Women won the right to vote more than 100 years ago, but we’ve never had a female president.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the frail gains made by women, as the economic recession and job losses have primarily harmed women who have been forced out of jobs in order to take on the labor of childcare and as fathers fail to step up to perform an equal share of household work. Women also are more likely to work in low-wage and precarious jobs in the industries that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, including restaurants, retail, hospitality, and health care. This points to the fact that even before the pandemic, women overall are more impoverished than men. Nearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers in the U.S. are women. And while the Equal Pay Act federally mandates equal pay, the gender gap still exists, with women making 81 cents to every man’s dollar in 2020. When the wage gap incorporates race, Black and Latina women make only 75 cents on the dollar—25% less than what their white male counterpart makes. (Canva)” src=”/wp-content/uploads/migration/2021/03/10/Q2FXNI2JF5GZXFENCP7KQY5RZA.png”>

Note: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and rape.

The #MeToo movement ushered in a modern wave of feminism, with a new generation of activists building off work done by the feminists in previous waves to highlight long-standing issues while articulating structural solutions. Women’s rights have come a long way since the suffragettes won women the right to vote in 1920, after 100 years of work, or when the second-wave feminist movement demanded and won the right to abortion after a decade of activism.

But while women won the right the vote, they remain underrepresented in the nation’s halls of power: 24 women (24%) currently serve in the Senate, and 119 women (27.4%) currently serve in the House of Representatives. And those numbers are even more dire considering women of color. Of those 143 women currently serving in the 117th Congress, 51 are women of color—and despite the overall low numbers, Congress is the most diverse it’s ever been

. Still, when Kamala Harris became the first woman and person of color to win the vice presidency, her exit from the Senate left it without a single Black woman. Women won the right to vote more than 100 years ago, but we’ve never had a female president.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the frail gains made by women, as the economic recession and job losses have primarily harmed women who have been forced out of jobs in order to take on the labor of childcare and as fathers fail to step up to perform an equal share of household work. Women also are more likely to work in low-wage and precarious jobs in the industries that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, including restaurants, retail, hospitality, and health care. This points to the fact that even before the pandemic, women overall are more impoverished than men. Nearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers in the U.S. are women. And while the Equal Pay Act federally mandates equal pay, the gender gap still exists, with women making 81 cents to every man’s dollar in 2020. When the wage gap incorporates race, Black and Latina women make only 75 cents on the dollar—25% less than what their white male counterpart makes. (Canva)

51. Louisiana | Total score: 36.26 - Economic and social well-being rank: #51 - Health and safety rank: #46 (Dider Moise/Wikimedia Commons)
51. Louisiana | Total score: 36.26 – Economic and social well-being rank: #51 – Health and safety rank: #46 (Dider Moise/Wikimedia Commons)
50. Mississippi | Total score: 36.63 - Economic and social well-being rank: #50 - Health and safety rank: #49 (Ken Lund/Wikimedia Commons)
50. Mississippi | Total score: 36.63 – Economic and social well-being rank: #50 – Health and safety rank: #49 (Ken Lund/Wikimedia Commons)
49. Arkansas | Total score: 37.13 - Economic and social well-being rank: #46 - Health and safety rank: #51 (Canva)
49. Arkansas | Total score: 37.13 – Economic and social well-being rank: #46 – Health and safety rank: #51 (Canva)
48. Alabama | Total score: 39.40 - Economic and social well-being rank: #48 - Health and safety rank: #44 (Canva)
48. Alabama | Total score: 39.40 – Economic and social well-being rank: #48 – Health and safety rank: #44 (Canva)
47. Oklahoma | Total score: 40.20 - Economic and social well-being rank: #44 - Health and safety rank: #50 (Canva)
47. Oklahoma | Total score: 40.20 – Economic and social well-being rank: #44 – Health and safety rank: #50 (Canva)
46. South Carolina | Total score: 40.34 - Economic and social well-being rank: #47 - Health and safety rank: #43 (Canva)
46. South Carolina | Total score: 40.34 – Economic and social well-being rank: #47 – Health and safety rank: #43 (Canva)
45. Idaho | Total score: 44.66 - Economic and social well-being rank: #49 - Health and safety rank: #28 (Canva)
45. Idaho | Total score: 44.66 – Economic and social well-being rank: #49 – Health and safety rank: #28 (Canva)
44. West Virginia | Total score: 45.11 - Economic and social well-being rank: #39 - Health and safety rank: #47 (Canva)
44. West Virginia | Total score: 45.11 – Economic and social well-being rank: #39 – Health and safety rank: #47 (Canva)
43. Texas | Total score: 46.11 - Economic and social well-being rank: #42 - Health and safety rank: #39 (Canva)
43. Texas | Total score: 46.11 – Economic and social well-being rank: #42 – Health and safety rank: #39 (Canva)
42. Georgia | Total score: 46.68 - Economic and social well-being rank: #43 - Health and safety rank: #37 (Canva)
42. Georgia | Total score: 46.68 – Economic and social well-being rank: #43 – Health and safety rank: #37 (Canva)
41. Utah | Total score: 48.51 - Economic and social well-being rank: #45 - Health and safety rank: #26 (Canva)
41. Utah | Total score: 48.51 – Economic and social well-being rank: #45 – Health and safety rank: #26 (Canva)
40. Nevada | Total score: 48.75 - Economic and social well-being rank: #28 - Health and safety rank: #48 (Canva)
40. Nevada | Total score: 48.75 – Economic and social well-being rank: #28 – Health and safety rank: #48 (Canva)
39. Kentucky | Total score: 48.88 - Economic and social well-being rank: #36 - Health and safety rank: #40 (Canva)
39. Kentucky | Total score: 48.88 – Economic and social well-being rank: #36 – Health and safety rank: #40 (Canva)
38. Wyoming | Total score: 49.34 - Economic and social well-being rank: #41 - Health and safety rank: #32 (Canva)
38. Wyoming | Total score: 49.34 – Economic and social well-being rank: #41 – Health and safety rank: #32 (Canva)
37. Tennessee | Total score: 49.59 - Economic and social well-being rank: #29 - Health and safety rank: #45 (Canva)
37. Tennessee | Total score: 49.59 – Economic and social well-being rank: #29 – Health and safety rank: #45 (Canva)
36. Alaska | Total score: 50.03 - Economic and social well-being rank: #30 - Health and safety rank: #42 (Canva)
36. Alaska | Total score: 50.03 – Economic and social well-being rank: #30 – Health and safety rank: #42 (Canva)
35. Missouri | Total score: 50.18 - Economic and social well-being rank: #33 - Health and safety rank: #38 (Canva)
35. Missouri | Total score: 50.18 – Economic and social well-being rank: #33 – Health and safety rank: #38 (Canva)
34. Florida | Total score: 51.31 - Economic and social well-being rank: #38 - Health and safety rank: #29 (Canva)
34. Florida | Total score: 51.31 – Economic and social well-being rank: #38 – Health and safety rank: #29 (Canva)
33. New Mexico | Total score: 51.59 - Economic and social well-being rank: #27 - Health and safety rank: #41 (Canva)
33. New Mexico | Total score: 51.59 – Economic and social well-being rank: #27 – Health and safety rank: #41 (Canva)
32. North Carolina | Total score: 52.04 - Economic and social well-being rank: #35 - Health and safety rank: #31 (Canva)
32. North Carolina | Total score: 52.04 – Economic and social well-being rank: #35 – Health and safety rank: #31 (Canva)
31. Kansas | Total score: 52.37 - Economic and social well-being rank: #32 - Health and safety rank: #34 (Canva)
31. Kansas | Total score: 52.37 – Economic and social well-being rank: #32 – Health and safety rank: #34 (Canva)
30. Arizona | Total score: 52.53 - Economic and social well-being rank: #31 - Health and safety rank: #35 (Wing-Chi PoonWikimedia Commons)
30. Arizona | Total score: 52.53 – Economic and social well-being rank: #31 – Health and safety rank: #35 (Wing-Chi PoonWikimedia Commons)
29. Illinois | Total score: 54.26 - Economic and social well-being rank: #40 - Health and safety rank: #18 (Canva)
29. Illinois | Total score: 54.26 – Economic and social well-being rank: #40 – Health and safety rank: #18 (Canva)
28. Pennsylvania | Total score: 55.21 - Economic and social well-being rank: #34 - Health and safety rank: #23 (Canva)
28. Pennsylvania | Total score: 55.21 – Economic and social well-being rank: #34 – Health and safety rank: #23 (Canva)
27. Indiana | Total score: 56.68 - Economic and social well-being rank: #20 - Health and safety rank: #33 (Canva)
27. Indiana | Total score: 56.68 – Economic and social well-being rank: #20 – Health and safety rank: #33 (Canva)
26. California | Total score: 57.48 - Economic and social well-being rank: #37 - Health and safety rank: #9 (Canva)
26. California | Total score: 57.48 – Economic and social well-being rank: #37 – Health and safety rank: #9 (Canva)
25. Oregon | Total score: 57.57 - Economic and social well-being rank: #25 - Health and safety rank: #24 (Pixabay)
25. Oregon | Total score: 57.57 – Economic and social well-being rank: #25 – Health and safety rank: #24 (Pixabay)
24. Montana | Total score: 58.08 - Economic and social well-being rank: #13 - Health and safety rank: #36 (Canva)
24. Montana | Total score: 58.08 – Economic and social well-being rank: #13 – Health and safety rank: #36 (Canva)
23. South Dakota | Total score: 58.33 - Economic and social well-being rank: #22 - Health and safety rank: #25 (Canva)
23. South Dakota | Total score: 58.33 – Economic and social well-being rank: #22 – Health and safety rank: #25 (Canva)
22. Michigan | Total score: 59.08 - Economic and social well-being rank: #14 - Health and safety rank: #30 (Ken Lund/Wikimedia Commons)
22. Michigan | Total score: 59.08 – Economic and social well-being rank: #14 – Health and safety rank: #30 (Ken Lund/Wikimedia Commons)
21. Virginia | Total score: 59.24 - Economic and social well-being rank: #24 - Health and safety rank: #22 | (Canva)
21. Virginia | Total score: 59.24 – Economic and social well-being rank: #24 – Health and safety rank: #22 | (Canva)
20. Ohio | Total score: 59.26 - Economic and social well-being rank: #19 - Health and safety rank: #27 (Canva)
20. Ohio | Total score: 59.26 – Economic and social well-being rank: #19 – Health and safety rank: #27 (Canva)
19. Nebraska | Total score: 59.30 - Economic and social well-being rank: #26 - Health and safety rank: #19 (Canva)
19. Nebraska | Total score: 59.30 – Economic and social well-being rank: #26 – Health and safety rank: #19 (Canva)
18. Maryland | Total score: 61.40 - Economic and social well-being rank: #21 - Health and safety rank: #15 (Canva)
18. Maryland | Total score: 61.40 – Economic and social well-being rank: #21 – Health and safety rank: #15 (Canva)
17. New Jersey | Total score: 64.24 - Economic and social well-being rank: #23 - Health and safety rank: #6 (Canva)
17. New Jersey | Total score: 64.24 – Economic and social well-being rank: #23 – Health and safety rank: #6 (Canva)
16. Wisconsin | Total score: 64.55 - Economic and social well-being rank: #11 - Health and safety rank: #14 (Canva)
16. Wisconsin | Total score: 64.55 – Economic and social well-being rank: #11 – Health and safety rank: #14 (Canva)
15. Washington | Total score: 64.65 - Economic and social well-being rank: #10 - Health and safety rank: #16 (Canva)
15. Washington | Total score: 64.65 – Economic and social well-being rank: #10 – Health and safety rank: #16 (Canva)
14. North Dakota | Total score: 65.02 - Economic and social well-being rank: #12 - Health and safety rank: #12 (Canva)
14. North Dakota | Total score: 65.02 – Economic and social well-being rank: #12 – Health and safety rank: #12 (Canva)
13. New Hampshire | Total score: 65.23 - Economic and social well-being rank: #18 - Health and safety rank: #8 (Canva)
13. New Hampshire | Total score: 65.23 – Economic and social well-being rank: #18 – Health and safety rank: #8 (Canva)
12. New York | Total score: 66.83 - Economic and social well-being rank: #17
- Health and safety rank: #5 (Ingfbruno/Wikimedia Common)
12. New York | Total score: 66.83 – Economic and social well-being rank: #17
– Health and safety rank: #5 (Ingfbruno/Wikimedia Common)
11. Delaware | Total score: 67.22 - Economic and social well-being rank: #7 - Health and safety rank: #21 (Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock)
11. Delaware | Total score: 67.22 – Economic and social well-being rank: #7 – Health and safety rank: #21 (Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock)
10. Vermont | Total score: 67.43 - Economic and social well-being rank: #8 - Health and safety rank: #13 (Canva)
10. Vermont | Total score: 67.43 – Economic and social well-being rank: #8 – Health and safety rank: #13 (Canva)
9. Rhode Island | Total score: 67.51 - Economic and social well-being rank: #9 - Health and safety rank: #7 (Canva)
9. Rhode Island | Total score: 67.51 – Economic and social well-being rank: #9 – Health and safety rank: #7 (Canva)
8. Connecticut | Total score: 67.92 - Economic and social well-being rank: #15 - Health and safety rank: #3 (Canva)
8. Connecticut | Total score: 67.92 – Economic and social well-being rank: #15 – Health and safety rank: #3 (Canva)
7. Hawaii | Total score: 68.13 - Economic and social well-being rank: #16 - Health and safety rank: #2 (Canva)
7. Hawaii | Total score: 68.13 – Economic and social well-being rank: #16 – Health and safety rank: #2 (Canva)
6. District of Columbia | Total score: 68.62 - Economic and social well-being rank: #2 - Health and safety rank: #20 | Canva
6. District of Columbia | Total score: 68.62 – Economic and social well-being rank: #2 – Health and safety rank: #20 | Canva
5. Colorado | Total score: 69.17 - Economic and social well-being rank: #4 - Health and safety rank: #17 (szeke/Flickr)
5. Colorado | Total score: 69.17 – Economic and social well-being rank: #4 – Health and safety rank: #17 (szeke/Flickr)
4. Maine | Total score: 70.60 - Economic and social well-being rank: #6 - Health and safety rank: #11 (Canva)
4. Maine | Total score: 70.60 – Economic and social well-being rank: #6 – Health and safety rank: #11 (Canva)
3. Iowa | Total score: 71.17 - Economic and social well-being rank: #3 - Health and safety rank: #10 (Canva)
3. Iowa | Total score: 71.17 – Economic and social well-being rank: #3 – Health and safety rank: #10 (Canva)
2. Minnesota | Total score: 75.16 - Economic and social well-being rank: #1 - Health and safety rank: #4 (Canva)
2. Minnesota | Total score: 75.16 – Economic and social well-being rank: #1 – Health and safety rank: #4 (Canva)
1. Massachusetts | Total score: 75.66 - Economic and social well-being rank: #5 - Health and safety rank: #1 (Leatherndevil/Wikimedia Commons)
1. Massachusetts | Total score: 75.66 – Economic and social well-being rank: #5 – Health and safety rank: #1 (Leatherndevil/Wikimedia Commons)