Economic Security & Opportunity Committee
Statement of Purpose
Access to equitable opportunity is critical for the well-being of women[1] and girls in Washington.
Without it, our communities cannot flourish. Women and girls in Washington State, regardless of immigration status, deserve financial stability and opportunity. Access to well-paying jobs and employer-funded training, educational opportunities, organizational advancement, affordable housing, access to affordable quality childcare, and food security are foundational to the well-being of girls, women, their families, and their communities.
The Women's Commission (WSWC) is committed to removing barriers for low-income women and girls, especially those who balance caregiving responsibilities, and to investing in infrastructure that lifts women and their families out of poverty. Those barriers include, and are not limited to, those in place based on a person's race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, disability, caste, gender identity, and other socially identified features. In addition, equal pay, digital equity, and access to employment, education, and leadership opportunities are essential to women and girls’ economic advancement at every stage of our lives.
The Women's Commission seeks to alleviate the disproportionate economic burden associated with the “Motherhood Penalty”[2] by working to address the barriers that prevent mothers, in particular, from advancing in the workplace, such as access to affordable childcare and eldercare, and closing opportunity gaps. As providers, caregivers, and essential drivers of our state's economy, women should be empowered to participate and advance in the workforce free from the barriers women, especially BIPOC women and historically excluded communities, have faced.
The Commission is committed to advocating for policies that empower women and girls in the workplace and create more equitable environments where we can thrive.
Goals
The Economic Security & Opportunity Committee within the Washington State Women's Commission will provide assistance and support for the Commission's initiatives. The committee achieves this by fostering collaboration amongst community partners, service providers, and impacted individuals throughout the state. The committee possesses expertise and comprehension of how women in Washington succeed when barriers are addressed, and opportunities are available because when women and girls thrive, businesses thrive, communities thrive, and Washington thrives. By working together, the committee aims to advance the positive economic impact women contribute to their families and the state.
The goal of the Economic Security & Opportunity Committee is to foster a shared understanding and build a robust foundation for communities to address economic disparities among women. Economic equity means individuals can access opportunities and resources, when and where they need them to achieve economic independence and prosperity.
- Monitoring state legislation and advocating for legislation advancing women's economic security and opportunity.
- Collaborating with state agencies to evaluate systems, programs, and policies that impact women and girls.
- Coordinating with the peer WSWC committees, peer commissions, and Human Rights Commission to address shared concerns.
- Serving as a liaison between the public and private sectors to identify economic opportunities for women and reduce and/or eliminate barriers to women's economic independence and prosperity.
[1] The Commission works on behalf of all self-identifying women and girls including individuals with the capacity for pregnancy. Learn more at https://lgbtq.wa.gov/ or https://www.hrc.org/resources/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions
[2] The financial penalty and opportunity gap women face after having children. https://www.aauw.org/issues/equity/motherhood/
Women on Boards
By statute the Women’s Commission is charged with identifying strategies to increase the number of women on corporate boards and make recommendations to the legislature. Our economic opportunity committee and staff conducted research on publicly traded companies with headquarters in Washington. View the Women’s Commission Research on all 73 Publicly-Traded Companies in Washington. The data shows:
- 13 of 73 (17.8%) corporations have 0 women board directors
- 30 of 73 (41%) corporations have less than 20% women board directors
- 4 of 73 (5.4%) corporations have a woman CEO
In addition, we collected data on how many women are in executive leadership. Nominating committees often seek candidates with corporate executive experience. Although some of Washington’s larger corporations have good gender diversity on corporate boards, they have very few women in executive management. Increasing the number of women in executive management will help increase the number of women who would be considered for a board position.
At our October 15, 2019 plenary meeting, we invited several experts to discuss strategies, including pending legislation (SB 5142), to increase the number of women on corporate boards. You may view the TVW recording at minute 36.40 here. In addition, you may view the Senate Law and Justice Committee hearing on women on boards here.
2020 Women on Boards is a national campaign to increase the percentage of women on U.S. company boards to 20% or greater by the year 2020. The following link is to the 2020 Gender Diversity Directory, a database of public and private companies in the nation, categorized based on gender composition of their boards. View the 2020 Gender Diversity Directory. The 2020 Gender Diversity Directory is based on the Russell 3000 Index, the 3000 largest U.S.-traded stocks.
Linkedin Article: Breaking the glass ceiling
in science leadership benefits us all.
"The cycle must be broken, and it’s up to all of us to do our part — not just women, and not just for the benefit of women."
Published by Gary Gilliland, MD, PhD
President & Director at Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center
The following table shows the largest public companies in Washington State, their board composition by gender, and their diversity statement.
| Company State of Incorporation Headquarters |
Board Composition | Company Diversity Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Inc1 DE Seattle, WA |
9 total members: 3 are women |
Amazon is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer — Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation. |
| Costco Wholesale Corp2 WA Issaquah, WA |
11 total members: 2 are women |
Costco has a diverse workforce. Our mission is to foster a climate of inclusion to take advantage of that diversity. |
| Microsoft Corp3 WA Redmond, WA |
14 total members: 4 are women |
We strive to create an environment that helps Microsoft capitalize on the diversity of our people and the inclusion of ideas and solutions to meet the needs of our increasingly global and diverse customer base. |
| T-Mobile US Inc4 DE Bellevue, WA |
12 total members: 1 is a woman |
Diversity fuels the Un-carrier spirit. Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives us forward every day. |
| Starbucks Corp5 WA Seattle, WA |
10 total members: 4 are women |
Embracing diversity only enhances our work culture, it also drives our business success. It is the inclusion of these diverse experiences and perspectives that create a culture of empowerment, one that fosters innovation, economic growth and new ideas |
| Paccar Inc6 DE Bellevue, WA |
11 total members: 2 are women |
PACCAR will not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or other legally protected status. |
| Nordstrom Inc7 WA Seattle, WA |
11 total members: 3 are women |
At Nordstrom, we value the richness that diversity brings to our company—it makes us better and the communities we serve stronger. We're deeply committed to cultivating an environment where the contributions of every employee, customer and vendor are respected and appreciated. |
| Expedia Group Inc8 9 WA Bellevue, WA |
15 total members: 4 are women |
Expedia Group and all its brands are proudly equal opportunity employers. All are welcome. |
| Alaska Air Group Inc10 DE SeaTac, WA |
11 total members: 5 are women |
There is strength in diversity. It fuels innovation, sparks creativity, and cultivates an atmosphere of continuous learning and improvement. We foster an inclusive environment that recognizes, respects and appreciates the different backgrounds, perspectives. |
| Weyerhaeuser Co11 WA Seattle, WA |
11 total members: 3 are women |
We strive to create a diverse, inclusive work environment where all employees feel valued, have the opportunity to grow and are driven to succeed. We believe this is both the right thing to do and good for business... |
| Expeditors International of Washington Inc12 WA Seattle, WA |
10 total members: 2 are women |
Not located |
| Fortive Corp13 DE Everett, WA |
7 total members: 1 is a woman |
We believe in the power of great people working together to innovate and solve problems no one could solve alone. We seek out and include diverse voices, perspectives and experiences because we know we’re stronger when we do. |
| TruBlue Inc14 WA Tacoma, WA |
10 total members: 4 are women |
The success of our company is a reflection of the quality and capability of our people. TrueBlue is committed to providing a supportive work environment in which all individuals realize their maximum potential, regardless of their differences. |
| F5 Networks Inc15 WA Seattle, WA |
10 total members: 2 are women |
Our differences—when embraced with humility and respect—drive smarter decisions, increased innovation, stronger performance, and a culture where everyone can be themselves. |
| Itron Inc(16) WA Liberty Lake, WA |
9 total members: 2 are women |
Itron is proud of its equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programs, which are endorsed by the corporation's Chief Executive Officer and implemented by our Senior VP of Human Resources. Itron values diversity and encourages an inclusive work environment... |
| Esterline Technologies Corp(17) DE Bellevue, WA |
9 total members: 2 are women |
Esterline is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition... |
| Clearwater Paper Corp(18) DE Spokane, WA |
6 total members: 1 is a woman |
We promote inclusion and diversity. |
| Avista Corp(19) WA Spokane, WA |
10 total members: 4 are women |
Avista is committed to the goal of Equal Opportunity Employment and Affirmative Action. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability... |
| Zillow Group(20) WA Seattle, WA |
9 total members: 2 are women |
We’re at our best as a company when we have a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences at the table. We’re committed to making Zillow Group a place where everyone feels they can be themselves, contribute in a meaningful way and have the opportunity to succeed... |
| Zumiez Inc(21) WA Lynnwood, WA |
9 total members: 2 are women |
Not located |
This table was compiled by utilizing the company list from the Puget Sound Business Journal(22) - “Largest Public Companies in Washington State”.
(1)Amazon.com. (2018). diversity at amazon. [online] Available at: https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=tb_surl_diversity/?node=10080092011 [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(2)Costco.com. (2018). Inclusion at Costco. [online] Available at: https://www.costco.com/inclusion.html [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(3)Microsoft.com. (2018). Global Diversity and Inclusion. [online] Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/business-of-inclusion/default.aspx [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(4)T-mobile.com. (2018). Career Diversity. [online] Available at: https://www.t-mobile.com/careers/culture-and-benefits/diversity [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(5)Starbucks Coffee Company. (2018). Diversity and Inclusion. [online] Available at: https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/community/diversity-and-inclusion [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(6)Paccar.com. (2018). Equal Opportunity Employer. [online] Available at: https://jobs.paccar.com/content/Equal-Opportunity-Employer/?locale=en_US [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(7)Nordstrom. (2018). Diversity at Nordstrom | Nordstrom. [online] Available at: https://shop.nordstrom.com/content/diversity-at-nordstrom?breadcrumb=Home%2FDiversity+at+Nordstrom [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(8)Lifeatexpedia.com. (2018). Expedia Group: Careers. [online] Available at: https://lifeatexpedia.com/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(9)Expedia Group. (2018). Gender Balance: Expedia Group. [online] Available at: https://www.expediagroup.com/gender-balance/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(10)Alaska Airlines Sustainability. (2018). We are all about people. Alaska Airlines Sustainability. [online] Available at: http://flysustainably.com/priorities/we-are-all-about-people/#diversityandinclusionjump [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(11)Weyerhaeuser.com. (2018). Diversity and Inclusion: Weyerhaeuser. [online] Available at: https://www.weyerhaeuser.com/sustainability/employees/diversity-and-inclusion/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(12) Expeditors.com. (2018). Board of Directors. [online] Available at: https://investor.expeditors.com/corporate-governance/board-of-directors [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(13)Fortive.com. (2018). Fortive + The Consortium. [online] Available at: https://www.fortive.com/Consortium [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(14)TrueBlue. (2018). Our Story: TrueBlue. [online] Available at: https://www.trueblue.com/about/our-story [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(15)F5.com. (2018). Culture and Values: F5. [online] Available at: https://f5.com/careers/culture-values#values [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(16)Itron. (2018). Job Opportunities at Itron. [online] Available at: https://careers.itron.com/info/page2 [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(17)Esterline. (2018). Welcome to the Esterline Way. [online] Available at: https: https://careers.esterline.com/?lang=en [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(18)Clearwater Paper. (2018). Mission, Vision, Values. [online] Available at: http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/about-us/mission-vision-values [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(19)Avista. (2018). Careers. [online] Available at: http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/about-us/mission-vision-values [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(20)Zillow. (2018). Welcoming you, just as you are. [online] Available at: https://www.zillow.com/marketing/equity-and-belonging/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2018].
(21)Zumies. (2018). Board of Directors. [online] Available at: http://ir.zumiez.com/governance/board-and-management [Accessed on 19 Oct. 2018].
(22)Crowe, Melissa. “Largest Public Companies in Washington State.” Puget Sound Business Journal, 22 June 2018, www.bizjournals.com/seattle/subscriber-only/2018/06/22/largest-public-companies-in-washington.html [Accessed on 19 Oct. 2018].
