New Expectations for Women in Mississippi
The NEWMS Foundation, a non-profit program, was organized to encourage and empower Mississippi women to reach their full potential. By sponsoring workshops and conferences addressing challenges facing women, and by serving as a networking system and resource center, NEWMS will assist women of all ages and backgrounds in finding solutions to take on those challenges.
As a multi-faceted resource, NEWMS will meet individual and family needs on an on-going and changing basis. Many of society’s most pressing problems fall hardest on women, particularly here in Mississippi. Whether the issue is poverty, domestic violence, child care, employment, financial challenges, self esteem, a stalled career, or personal or family health issues, NEWMS will help individuals achieve self-sufficiency, maximize their potential and build stronger families.
Why do we need NEWMS?
Here are a few statistics that clearly indicate a need for Mississippi women to work together to tackle the issues that stand in the way of progress. No one solution is adequate. No single individual can do it all, but by collectively taking action, we will make significant progress in creating a better quality of life for all Mississippians.
- A majority (53%) of the state's women work outside of the home, yet Mississippi ranks 50th in the nation in employment and earnings for women.
- As of 2002, Mississippi was one of only 6 states that has never sent a woman to the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives.
- Mississippi is ranked 49th in the area of women's general health and well-being. Mississippi has the 3rd highest teen pregnancy rate of all the states.
- The majority of Mississippi's population is female (51.7%)
- Nearly ¼ of all Mississippi families are single-parent, female headed households (23.6%)
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Women in Mississippi are 50% more likely to live in poverty than men.
NEWMS Board Members
Front row: Jan Botts, Esther Brown, Juanita Floyd, and Martha Swindle. Back row: Liz Dawson, Rhonda Weaver, Lee Oswalt, Deepika Dey, Zell Long, Inita McMullan, Lisa Hawkins, and Mary Pace. Not pictured is Mary Werner.
Success Skills Alumni Board
Top row (L–R): Sherri Adam, Bernice Moore, Cheryl Comer, and Martha Swindle. Second row: Cindy Hale, Rhonda Weaver, Renee Creely, Tess Mason, Barbara Doles, and Jan Botts. Third row: Amy Hill and Donna Loden. Bottom row: Debra B. Wuichet and Lee Oswalt.