The Status of Delaware Women Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of how women in our state are faring across key areas like health, economic security, education, safety, and leadership. It highlights both progress and ongoing disparities, particularly in wage equity, access to healthcare, and representation in high-paying sectors like STEM. For example, Delaware women still earn only 81 cents for every dollar earned by men, and 63% of families living in poverty are led by single mothers. While maternal health and insurance coverage have improved, challenges remain, especially for women of color. This report is more than just data - it's a call to action. It serves as a resource for decision-makers, nonprofits, and community leaders to craft policies and programs that uplift women and girls in Delaware. OWAA is committed to providing not only this essential data but also the support to dig deeper, offering technical assistance and additional resources to ensure informed, effective change across the state.

• CoastTV - Delaware women’s progress and challenges unveiled in new report

• Delaware News - OWAA Releases Comprehensive Report on the Status of Women in Delaware

• Delaware Online (News Journal) - OWAA report unveils the state of women in Delaware

• Delaware Public Media - Delaware office releases report on women's experiences in the state

• WHYY News - “It’s a painful reminder”: Delaware women face workforce, health care inequities, report says

The Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy and the Delaware Women’s Commission announced four exceptional women that were selected as honorees for the 2024 She’s on Her Way Award. With over 40 applications received by the committee, four nominees were chosen for their incredible work in Delaware.

• Delaware News - Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy and Delaware Women’s Commission Announce 2024 She’s on Her Way Awardees

The Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy, in collaboration with the University of Delaware, announces the opening of the annual Women’s Hall of Fame Art Exhibition. The showcase, featuring portraits by Delaware Artist, Theresa Walton, pays homage to outstanding Delaware women and marks the start of Women’s History Month in March. This unique collaboration with the University of Delaware reflects a commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive space to honor the legacy of remarkable Delaware women. The exhibition, open from March 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025, will display 169 watercolor portraits, capturing the essence of these influential women and their collective impact on the state.

• UDaily - Women’s Hall of Fame Art Exhibition now on view in Alfred Lerner Hall

• Delaware News - Celebrating Delaware’s Trailblazers: Women’s Hall of Fame Art Exhibition in Partnership with the University of Delaware

• UDaily - Honoring Delaware Women: Gov. Carney signs Women’s History Month proclamation at UD

• The Review (UD) - Lerner Hall’s newest exhibition celebrates the women of Delaware

The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women was established in 1981 and is the oldest annual celebration of its kind commemorating Delaware women. Members represent a variety of professional fields and backgrounds, including artists, athletes, community advocates, military personnel, public servants, and scientists.

• Delaware News - Governor Carney Announces the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame Inductees for 2023

• Delaware News Journal (MSN.com) - Meet the 5 Women Being Inducted into Delaware Women's Hall of Fame

• WRDE - Women's Hall of Fame art exhibition opens just in time for Women's History Month

• Bay to Bay News - Celebrating Delaware's trailblazers at Women's Hall of Fame Art Exhibition

• Delaware.gov News - Celebrating Delaware's Trailblazers: Women's Hall of Fame Art Exhibition in Partnership with the University of Delaware/p>

March 14, 2023 marked Equal Pay Day. This means, Delaware women who work full-time, year-round, are paid an average of 86% as much as men. In other words, for every dollar paid to a man who works full-time, year-round, women are paid 86 cents. (NOTE: these numbers are from 2021, the latest year with available data). When compared to white, non-Hispanic men, Black and Hispanic women face even larger wage gaps.

• Delaware Public Media - Delaware legislators recognize Equal Pay Day

The Office of Women's Advancement & Advocacy hosted a reception on March 8, 2023 to recognize Women's History Month and celebrate the opening of the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame Art Exhibit at Delaware Tech's Owens Campus in Georgetown. The exhibit, featuring portraits of members of the Women's Hall of Fame, is on display until January 31, 2024.

• WRDE - Gov. Carney Signs Women's History Month Proclamation

• Cape Gazette - Delaware Tech hosts Women's Hall of Fame Exhibition

• WRDE - Delaware Women's Hall of Fame Comes to Del Tech in Georgetown

• Bay to Bay News - Delaware Women's Hall of Fame Exhibition at Delaware Tech, Owens Campus

Delaware has very few women working in the construction trades industry. OWAA recently released a report that highlights the role that jobs in this industry can play in providing women with economic and social empowerment, economic equity, and self-sufficiency. The report analyzes the current construction trades landscape in Delaware, examines factors that help account for the low number of women in skilled trades, as well as offers recommendations for how to remove potential barriers and expand opportunities to more Delaware women.

• Bay to Bay News - State report provides solutions to increase opportunities for Delaware women in the trades industry

• Delaware Public Media - State report offers solutions to bolster opportunities for Delaware women in the trades industry

• Delaware Business Times - Delaware looks to build women pre-apprenticeship program

• Delaware News - Delaware Office of Women's Advancement and Advocacy Releases Report on Delaware Women in Construction Trades

• WRDE - Delaware Women in Construction

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the Office of Women's Advancement and Advocacy is working with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) to further our state's commitment to Title IX. Below are two recent articles related to OWAA's work on Title IX athletics in Delaware:

• Read our new proposed plan  with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) to support Delaware girls in athletics. The plan outlines concrete steps our state can take to support Title IX education and compliance.

• Check out our Op-Ed co-authored by OWAA Director Melanie Ross Levin and DDOE Secretary Mark Holodick about our plan for strengthening Title IX in Delaware.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the prestigious Delaware Women's Hall of Fame, the Office of Women's Advancement and Advocacy commissioned Delaware artist Theresa Walton to create portraits of every woman inducted. The exhibition celebrates the tremendous achievement of women from across the state in a variety of professional fields. During the exhibition at the Delaware Art Museum in 2022, the collection was featured in several articles, events, tv shows, magazines, and calendar of events, including: