Status of Women by State
The higher the score, the better the state is for women.
Critical Analysis
What region of the nation is best for women?
Describe one geographic pattern you see in the map.
The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) released new research ranking women’s rights and opportunities across 50 states and the District of Columbia. The first-ever U.S. Women, Peace and Security Index (U.S. WPS Index) reveals vast differences in the status of women across America – at the top of the list is Massachusetts, scoring almost four times better than Louisiana at last place. Describe one specific policy difference between Massachusetts and Louisiana.
Download The Georgetown index to see how your state ranks in the status of women?
How much choice do most people have in what state they live in and how much choice do you have about where you live?
The 14th Amendment guarantees all Americans equal protection under the law, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Based on the map above and data below, is the 14th Amendment’s guarantee a reality today in the U.S.?
Describe how Conservatives and Liberals would disagree about the role the government should take in making life more equal between men and women.
If you overlaid the chart above with the map of state political party affiliation (below)* how would the two compare?
How does female representation in the legislature (see map below*) impact the status of females in those states?
Learning Extension
Download The Georgetown index, the most comprehensive measurement of women’s rights and opportunities in America. Our research reveals vast differences across the country, with Massachusetts scoring almost four times better than Louisiana. There are clear regional patterns – as well as important variations within regions.
Action Extension
Find out how your state ranks. Contact your state's governor, congratulate them/embarrass them about their ranking, and offer them one suggestion about how to improve/maintain their ranking.