|
|
Report: Chisago County ranks third in state on status of womenBy T.W. Budig Washington, Sherburne and Chisago counties were ranked one, two, three in a Womenís Foundation of Minnesota statewide ranking of counties on the status of women. The foundation examined four categories affecting women, including political participation and employment, in reaching their findings. Anoka, Dakota, Houston, and Hennepin counties number among the top 20 counties as ranked by the foundation. Isanti County was ranked 21st, Kanabec County 28th, with Mille Lacs ranked 63rd. Chisago County has the highest percentage of women voters with 74 percent ñ 19 counties have less than 50 percent women voter turnout. Women are still unrepresented in elective office. Only a third of the legislators are women, only one women serves in the stateís congressional delegation, and no women has ever served as governor. As the 2004 legislative session began Feb. 2, the foundation, in its report, believed it was important to focus on the economic status of women. ìIn the 2003 session, the Legislature divested in women,î said Jane Ransom, Womenís Foundation president, citing social service cuts and other factors. In terms of pay, women, forming nearly half of Minnesotaís labor force, earn about 73 percent of what their male counterparts earn. In all counties womenís median earnings are less than menís, according to the foundation. The 46 percent wage gap in Koochiching County is the largest in the state, with the 12 percent gap in Marshall County the smallest. In Minnesota there are 120,000 women-owned businesses ñ 29 percent of all privately held businesses in the state, according to Bonnie Stewart, executive director of The People Connection that serves a 24-county area in northwestern Minnesota. Womenís business ownership in rural Minnesota is strong, said Stewart. They own 45 percent of the businesses in Lake of the Woods County, she noted. Stewart ascribes the business acumen as exhibited in Greater Minnesota women to a savvy spirit and passion for rural life which leads to inventiveness. She points to networking and partnerships as means of fostering the growth of women-owned business. According to the foundation, 53 percent of Minnesota counties have no family planning clinics. In terms of health and well-being, it notes that Minnesota compares well with other states. Western counties ranked well overall, with Hennepin County ranking near the bottom. Washington County has the highest per capita rate of rape crimes, according to the Foundation. ©ECM Post Review |