The below op-ed was published by the Indianapolis Business Journal: https://www.ibj.com/articles/tamara-winfrey-harris-we-can-build-a-better-future-for-hoosier-women
Tamara Winfrey-Harris: We can build a better future for Hoosier women
The newly released State of Women in Central Indiana Report, developed through a partnership between the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana and The Polis Center at Indiana University Indianapolis, explores the health and well-being of women in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan and Shelby counties. It addresses health, financial stability, personal safety, housing, caregiving, food access and transportation.
The report (womensfund.org/report) was compiled throughout 2024 and makes one thing clear: Women in our community are vulnerable. Women in central Indiana are wrangling with systemic challenges that will not let them reach their full potential. But change is possible, and the power lies in our hands.
Caregiving. Women spend twice as much time as men providing care—whether for children, aging parents, ill family members or individuals outside their household. Yet this vital work—usually unpaid—often lacks the systemic support needed to sustain it. For example, in Hancock County, only 46% of child care demand can be met by licensed providers, far below the national average of 70%. Imagine the possibilities if we filled this gap, enabling more women to pursue their goals knowing their families are cared for.
Wage gap. The report also highlights the persistent gender wage gap in Indiana, where women earn, on average, 25% less than men—a gap that widens to 30% for women of color. Closing the wage gap is not just about fairness; it’s about unlocking the potential of countless women whose labor props up critical economic sectors like health care, tourism and hospitality.
Housing. More than 60% of evictions in Marion County involve women, particularly single mothers. By expanding access to affordable housing and livable wages, we can break the cycles of instability and build secure foundations for women and their families. Imagine a future in which every woman has a safe place to call home and the resources to support her children’s growth and education.
Reproductive health. Maternal and infant health are vital indicators of a community’s overall well-being. Indiana has the third-highest maternal mortality rate in the United States. Women in Indiana lack access to the full range of reproductive care, including prenatal and maternity care. Residents of Morgan County must travel nearly 20 miles to reach the nearest hospital with labor and delivery services. And in 2022, about half of Hispanic and Black women in central Indiana lacked access to prenatal care. Investing in equitable health care can create a future where every woman and child receives the care they deserve.
These issues and others outlined in the report are complicated by factors such as race, sexuality, immigration status and geography.
Women deserve better.
Our community deserves better.
We can do better.
The State of Women in Central Indiana Report is more than a snapshot of challenges: It’s a call to action.
It provides data that policymakers, organizations and advocates can use to drive meaningful change. It also allows us to listen to the voices behind the numbers and build solutions together. By focusing on affordable child care, equitable wages, accessible health care and safe housing, we can pave the way for a stronger, more equitable community.
Hoosiers cannot afford to wait. The good news is that we don’t have to. The challenges outlined in this report are not insurmountable; they can be overcome to create something better. Let’s respond with the urgency this moment demands. Together, we can ensure that every woman in central Indiana has the opportunity to thrive—and when women thrive, we all thrive.
Winfrey-Harris is president of the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana.
