Women Ending Poverty Coalition

Poverty Is a Women’s Issue—And a Leadership Opportunity

The Gender of Poverty

Poverty in America is not just an economic issue—it is a gendered crisis. While both men and women experience financial hardship, the statistics paint a clear and urgent picture: women, particularly single mothers, are disproportionately affected by poverty.

At a time when equity, inclusion, and economic resilience are front and center, the conversation about poverty must include gender-based solutions. This is the founding mission of the Women Ending Poverty Coalition: to shine a spotlight on the women behind the numbers, advocate for bold policy changes, and create systems that lift entire families by supporting the women at their core.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

Single Mothers: A Critical Focus

In 2023, the poverty rate for single mothers was 29%, returning to pre-pandemic levels. That means nearly 1 in 3 single mothers in America is living in poverty— more than double the rate for single fathers. (Axios, 2024).

More than 80% of single-parent households are headed by women. These mothers often shoulder the burden of both caregiving and income generation, often without the structural supports needed to succeed.

Race, Gender, and Poverty

Poverty among women is not experienced equally. Women of color face much steeper odds:

• Black women: 16.8% poverty rate

• Latinas: 16.3%

• Native women: 20.4%

• White women: 9.6%

For single mothers, the disparities are even starker:

• Black single moms: 31% in poverty

• Hispanic single moms: 33%

• White single moms: 24% (U.S. Census, 2023)

These statistics highlight how race, gender, and family structure intersect in complex ways. Addressing these layers thoughtfully helps us develop more inclusive, effective solutions.

Aging and Poverty

Senior women are also at significant risk. As of 2023, 10.5% of women over age 65 were living in poverty. Women are more likely to live alone in old age and less likely to have retirement savings, which increases financial vulnerability (National Women’s Law Center, 2023).

 The Women Ending Poverty Coalition

That’s why we are creating the Women Ending Poverty Coalition: to elevate women’s leadership in building a new poverty alleviation system—one that replaces the outdated, ineffective poverty management model that often overlooks the very voices closest to the struggle.

Why we’re doing it:

Because the current system wasn’t built by women, and it certainly wasn’t built for them. Despite carrying the largest share of the burden—raising children in under-resourced neighborhoods, navigating broken safety nets, and working in frontline care roles—women have rarely had seats at the tables where major funding, policy, and systems decisions are made. We're changing that.

How we’re doing it:

We’re identifying, celebrating, and supporting women who are already leading the fight against poverty—often without recognition. While women dominate frontline poverty alleviation roles—as caseworkers, project managers, social workers, and community advocates—the real power often shifts to men once you reach executive and decision-making positions. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Gender Gap Report, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles across sectors, even in fields where they make up the majority of the workforce (WEF, 2024).

By spotlighting and supporting these women, we help them move from the frontlines to the boardrooms—so policies and systems aren’t just informed by women, but led by women.

How we spark women to rise:

We believe leadership isn't about titles—it's about impact. We're working to normalize and elevate leadership that looks like caregiving, organizing, listening, and challenging the status quo. We're inviting women from all walks of life—whether they’re behind a desk or behind on rent—to see themselves as architects of a new system. And we’re backing them with the tools, networks, and visibility they deserve.

Because when women lead, systems become smarter, communities grow stronger, and poverty begins to fall—for everyone.

Why It Matters

Poverty is not just a lack of income. It’s a lack of access—to health care, education, safe housing, child care, and opportunity. When women live in poverty, the ripple effects hit their children, their communities, and the economy.

• Children living in single-mother households are more likely to experience poverty than those in two-parent families. In fact, nearly 60% of poor children live with single mothers. (marriott.byu.edu)

• Workforce productivity declines when families can’t access childcare or paid leave.

• Communities miss out on leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation when potential is limited by financial constraints.

Lifting women out of poverty isn’t about excluding anyone else—it’s about elevating families and future generations.

What Needs to Change

To end poverty for women and families, we need to reimagine economic systems that currently create barriers to stability. Here’s what we need to start focusing on: 

1. Paid Family Leave and Affordable Childcare

Families can’t thrive if parents don’t have safe, affordable childcare. Public investments in universal childcare and paid family leave benefit everyone and support long-term prosperity.

2. Equal Pay and Fair Labor Standards

Despite making up the majority of minimum-wage workers, women still earn less than men across industries. Closing the wage gap and enforcing fair labor practices benefit the entire workforce.

3. Expand Access to Affordable Housing

Single-parent households are more likely to be rent-burdened. Housing vouchers, rent control, and inclusive zoning policies can help stabilize families.

4. Invest in Entrepreneurs from Underserved Groups

Women—especially women of color—face challenges in accessing startup capital. Business grants and microloans can unlock innovation and opportunity for everyone— and get rid of predatory lending!

5. Reform the Safety Net

TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and housing programs must be modernized to reflect today’s realities. That means simplifying application processes, removing benefit cliffs, and prioritizing long-term stability.

Why Now

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of our economic systems and the heavy burden placed on caregivers—most often women. But it also showed what’s possible: expanded child tax credits, direct cash payments, and eviction moratoriums all significantly reduced poverty.

Many of these temporary measures have expired, and poverty rates among families are climbing again. We have a choice: invest in women and families, or allow economic instability to deepen.

This isn’t a competition—it’s a collaboration. When we invest in mothers and caregivers, the whole society benefits.

From Data to Action

The numbers tell us what’s broken. But it’s the stories that tell us what’s possible.

We invite people from all walks of life—mothers, fathers, partners, grandparents, allies, and advocates—to join us in building a movement rooted in dignity, justice, and shared prosperity.

The Women Ending Poverty Coalition is not just a campaign. It’s a call to action.

Because the future of poverty reduction isn’t about exclusion—it’s about inclusion. And often, that begins by listening to women.

We are building a movement with women in leadership—with support from everyone who believes poverty is solvable. Whether you're a policymaker, practitioner, advocate, or someone with lived experience, you have a role to play.

👉 Share your story. Use your voice. Back policies that put women—and families—first.
👉 Help us build what’s next.

Together, we’re not just imagining a future without poverty.
We’re leading it.

Written by

www.ThePovertySolution.com