New report shows current state of women in New Orleans post-COVID

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) released a new benchmark report today that offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of women in New Orleans post-COVID across various dimensions, including health, wages, access to housing, crime and gender-based violence, climate and political representation. Commissioned by JLNO in partnership with the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University to commemorate the organization’s 100-year anniversary and its continued commitment to impactful leadership, the report serves to support the development of data-driven programs and policies that can inspire solutions to ongoing challenges in New Orleans.

The report, entitled Status of Women in New Orleans – 2024, shows women in New Orleans have attained higher education, increased access to health care and achieved greater political representation over the last decade. Results of the study also indicate that women are still struggling against persistent racial and economic inequalities that disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic women. 

“In our 100-year history, the Junior League of New Orleans has played a vibrant role in the New Orleans community, advancing the potential and well-being of women, promoting healthy families and helping to rebuild and respond after natural disasters,” said JLNO President, Tara Waldron. “This report provides access to incredible data which will guide our efforts to enhance community projects like our Diaper Bank and to create new community projects over the next 100 years.”

Key findings include:

  • Education levels have risen, with the percent of women and men holding bachelor’s degrees nearly doubling since 2000. However, only 27% of Black women hold a bachelor’s degree compared to 69% of white women.

  • While the gender wage gap has narrowed, Black and Hispanic women still earn significantly less than white men and women.

  • About one in four women (24%) live in poverty, with poverty rates highest for Black (26.6%) and Hispanic (19.5%) female-headed households.

  • Racial and ethnic disparities in prenatal care and infant mortality find Hispanic mothers are least likely to receive care and Black mothers are most likely to experience infant mortality.

  • Intimate partner violence homicides are increasing with Black women, often mothers, representing the majority of victims. Of note, in 2022, 92% of femicide cases in New Orleans involved firearms.

  • Women hold 44% of elected offices in New Orleans with 64% of those seats occupied by Black women.

“This report commissioned by the Junior League of New Orleans is more than just a collection of statistics; it holds the story of resilience, progress and persistent challenges for the women of New Orleans. It’s a story of women who are the backbone of our communities but also a story of women who are being left behind,” says Dr. Karen Bollinger DeSalvo, former Health Commissioner for the City of New Orleans and JLNO member. “This report is a call to action for the public and private sector to build data driven policies and programs to address these challenges.”

“New Orleans is making important strides on women’s status but glaring racial and economic inequities remain, hindering true progress,” said Anita Raj, director of the Newcomb Institute and lead author of the report. “Supporting Black and Hispanic mothers, preventing gender-based violence, and promoting economic growth are critical for building a stronger, more equitable city.”

The report highlights several priority areas of focus in order to improve the status of women, including health care for women of color, expanding child care access and affordability, attracting working-age populations to New Orleans, preventing intimate partner violence, supporting racial minority men and boys and addressing climate change impacts. JLNO will host a community convening Friday, Nov. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to explore each priority area of the study. The convening will be facilitated by Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer and participants will be guided through conversations on how to create practical solutions to these persistent problems.   

This report was made possible thanks to the support of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Tulane Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science, Newcomb Institute at Tulane University, Mary Amelia Center for Women’s Health Equity Research and the New Orleans Department of Health.

To read the full report and to find out more about the upcoming convenings, visit jlno.org.  

###

About Junior League New Orleans
Junior League of New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.org

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Previous

Hollywood Meets the Bayou: Film Louisiana to host “Louisiana Comes to Hollywood” to showcase state’s film industry
Next

Louisiana SPCA announces ticket sales for 2nd annual Carnival Fundraiser