Tennessee Economic Council on Women

Council Explores Economic Status of Women in Tennessee

The Council's most recent research assesses the economic equality, literacy, independence, opportunity and stability of Tennessee's women. This research, inspired by the White House Council on Women and Girls' recent report Women in America, provides a statistical portrait of women in Tennessee in five critical areas: demographic and family changes, education, employment, health, and crime and violence.

This portrait clarifies the achievements already made by Tennessee women and the difficulties they still face. The economic success of Tennessee women means the economic success of Tennessee families and Tennessee communities.

The full Women in Tennessee report can be accessed in the report section of this website.

2011 Summit Wrap-up

The 2011 Summit was highlighted by the presentation of scholarships by Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam, financial inspiration from Jean Chatzky, an assessment of women's service on corporate boards with Kathy Hannan and a luncheon keynote address by Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell.

The day was punctuated with networking opportunities and the post-lunch breakout sessions covered health and childcare policy, Women in Tennessee, financial planning and for-/non-profit partnerships.

The afternoon closed with a panel presentation on women's representation in the media, but all attendees were invited to attend a screening of Miss Representation at Lipscomb University that evening.

Council Explores Impact of Women-Owned Businesses

In the current economy, everyone from policy makers to educators and shopkeepers to beekeepers are looking for a way to make a positive difference in our economic growth. Over the past few years, women-owned businesses in Tennessee have grown at a level that outpaces most other profit-making enterprises.

More than 140,000 women in Tennessee own a business. These women contribute millions to our State coffers, support other businesses and employ thousands. It's no longer a matter of whether women-owned businesses make a significant difference to Tennessee's economy. The real question is how can we help them maximize their potential? Read the report here: The Economic Impact of Women-Owned Businesses in Tennessee.

Economic Impact of Women’s Wages & Earnings

At the 2009 Economic Summit for Women, the Council released it most recent report, The Economic Impact of Wages & Earnings for Tennessee Women. This report provides a history of wages, statistical analysis of the relationships between income, occupation and gender specifically in Tennessee, and ideas for closing the wage gap and providing economic stability. See the full report: The Economic Impact of Wages and Earnings for Tennessee Women.

Gloria Steinem Headlines 2009 Economic Summit

The 2009 Economic Summit for Women opened on Sunday, October 18th with the second "Everyday Politics for Everyday Women" legislative workshop and a festive reception in honor of Martha Craig Daughtrey, a senior judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the first woman to serve on the Tennessee State Supreme Court.

The three current female Tennessee Supreme Court Justices were on hand to honor Judge Daughtrey. The Summit then reconvened on Monday with a presentation by the Tennessee Women's Political Caucus and the awarding of six $1,000 scholarships by the Women's Economic Council Foundation. Keynote speakers for the morning included former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin and communications specialist Beverly Inman-Ebel.

Breakout sessions covered personal and professional development, current Tennessee legislation, education, and domestic violence. The Summit luncheon included a keynote address from Gloria Steinem and the presentation of "E" Awards for Economic Excellence & Equality to Lisa Smithgall, Mary Clement and Dr. Shirley Raines. The afternoon featured a conversation with health care professionals, sponsored by St. Thomas Health Services, and inspirational closing words from Leadership Enterprises CEO Carole Leland.

Preventive Healthcare Report

There is no greater imperative in American health care than switching from a treatment-oriented society to a prevention-oriented society. Right now we've got it backwards. We wait years and years, doing nothing about unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity until people get sick. Then we spend billions of dollars on costly treatments, often when it is already too late to make meaningful improvements to their quality of life or lifespan.

—Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General
of the United States

Biennial Report

The Council released its 2008 Biennial Report at the October 27 Economic Summit for Women. The report covers the Council’s work over the last two years across the state and outlines future Council projects. See the full report: Tennessee Economic Council on Women Biennial Report 2008.

Political Participation Report

The Tennessee Economic Council on Women has issued a new report Achieving an Equally Gendered Government: The Economic Impact of Women's Political Participation in Tennessee.

Women across State Say 2007 Summit a Resounding Success

Over 400 people from across the State joined together for a fantastic day of information and inspiration.

“The positive feedback has been remarkable,” said Yvonne Wood, Summit Coordinator.

In addition to the extraordinary keynote speakers, Karyl Innis, Patricia Schroeder and Marie Wilson, Summit attendees also had the opportunity to hear such notable speakers as Commissioner Susan Whitaker, Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Coach Melanie Balcomb, Kim McMillan, Senator Rosalind Kurita and State Representatives Janis Sontany and Nathan Vaughn, among many more.

“It’s fairly easy to identify the economic issues that women face today,” said Carol Berz, Co-Chair of the Summit and Chair of the Council and Foundation. “It can be more challenging to find speakers who can take the next step and offer information that can be used in finding solutions.”

Other highlights of the 2007 Summit include: the annual Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus meeting and the opportunity to become a member of the Caucus; presentation of the “E” Awards to Rosalyn Carpenter, Agenia Clark, Sen. Thelma Harper, Mary Jinks, Rep. Sherry Jones and Deborah Reed; release of the Economic Council’s newest research on the Economic Impact of Women’s Political Participation; and the awarding of six college scholarships.

Women’s Economic Council Foundation 2007 Scholarship Winners

The Women’s Economic Council Foundation announced this year six $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to both a traditional and non-traditional female student from each Grand Division of Tennessee. The scholarships were formally presented by Melanie Balcomb, Vanderbilt University Head Women’s Basketball Coach, on October 22nd at the 2007 Economic Summit for Women.

The scholarship winners from each Grand Division are:

West Tennessee
Non-Traditional: Sharon Denise Hyman Beasley, Memphis, TN
High School: Paulita Edmondson, Gates, TN

Middle Tennessee
Non-Traditional: Billie Hieatt, Baxter, TN
High School: Alyse Ray, Gallatin, TN

East Tennessee
Non-Traditional: Betty Dowdy, Pleasant Hill, TN
High School: Anjali Bisaria, Knoxville, TN

Council on hand for signing of Health Insurance Continuance Bill

July 21, 2006

East TN Advisory Council Community Survey

You have an opportunity to shape the economic development for women in your local community and in the region. We want to know what you observe and experience as barriers to the economic success of women. Our goal is to hear issues regarding women from across the age span, women who live alone as well as those who have families and from women of varying socio-economic levels who for whatever reasons are at risk for financial difficulties. Our hope is to influence the quality of life for women today in order to bring hope to our young girls and the women of tomorrow.

For more information, contact Wendy Pitts Reeves, TECW member or Phyllis Clingner, Advisory Council Chair

Click here to take survey

Domestic Violence Costs

Over the course of the past two years, the Economic Council on Women has undertaken research to determine the economic impact of domestic violence in Tennessee. In that time, there have been changes in two very telling statistics. First, we’ve gone from 7th in the Nation to 5th in the number of women who are murdered each year – usually by an intimate partner and usually with a gun. Also in that time, the Center for Disease Control has increased its estimation of the occurrence of domestic violence from 1 in 4 families to 1 in 3.

Dealing with domestic violence has become a multi-million dollar business. Between the money expended to imprison the offenders to the increasing costs of maintaining a safe work environment or pay-ing the litigation expenses of not doing so, domestic violence is making a significant negative economic impact.

Read Report

More TECW Headlines

2006 Economic Summit for Women set for October 23rd

Technology helps state group fight gender inequity and make history. Read more

TECW Interim Executive Director teaches financial literacy program to high school girls.
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