Image source: Women’s History Month.gov
March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and ongoing fight for equality by women throughout history. This observance began in 1980 as a week-long celebration declared by President Jimmy Carter and was later expanded to a full month.
Today, Women’s History Month serves as a reminder of both the progress made and the challenges that remain, especially in the fight for economic justice.
Despite progress through the generations, economic disparities remain stark for women. On average, women earn just 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. For single mothers, the challenges multiply: lower wages, limited benefits, and unaffordable childcare make financial stability difficult to attain. For women of color, the reality is even starker.
At Crisis Assistance Ministry, we witness these struggles firsthand—but we also see the strength of women fighting to overcome them. We see the struggles and triumphs of everyday women working hard for economic security and housing stability – women like Sierra, who found herself and her two young daughters plunged into financial distress after a divorce.
Empowering Women Through Crisis Assistance Ministry
Economic injustice is not just about wages—it’s also about access to resources. Many women struggle to afford basic necessities like rent, utilities, and food. Every week at Crisis Assistance Ministry, we serve hundreds of women seeking housing stability and pathways to long-term economic security.
Our mission is rooted in the belief that housing stability, financial security, and economic mobility should be accessible to everyone. We address the disparities in access to these fundamental needs in several key ways.
- Emergency financial assistance services help families avoid eviction and utility disconnection, thereby preventing further financial setbacks.
- In the free store, Mecklenburg County residents can access clothing and essential household goods free of charge, allowing families to use their precious resources for other vital needs.
- Financial empowerment services equip participants with the tools to navigate the financial system, build savings, and pursue long-term stability.
Because women experience poverty and housing instability at a disproportionately higher rate than men, our services have a direct positive effect on the well-being of women in our community.
Charlotte’s Proud Tradition of Strong Women
Women who live in Mecklenburg County today stand on the shoulders of their foremothers whose strength and determination helped improve our community for everyone – women like pioneering public health nurse Thereasea Clark Elder, physician and philanthropist Annie Lowrie Alexander, and courageous attorney Dovey Mae Johnson Roundtree.
These inspirational stories from the past are echoed in the struggles and accomplishments of women in our community today.
Thereasea “T.D.” Clark Elder was a member of the first graduating class of West Charlotte High School in 1938, then attended Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina Central University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. T.D. went on to break the color barrier in public health service in Mecklenburg County and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for her service to the state of North Carolina.
Image source: Omar Lopez | Unsplash.com
Dr. Annie Lowrie Alexander was the first female physician to practice medicine in the state of North Carolina. She was born near the town of Cornelius in 1864. Annie was encouraged to enter the medical field by her father, also a doctor, after one of his female patients refused to be treated by a man and died as a result. Annie worked as a physician at the Presbyterian College for Women (now Queens University) for 23 years. She also served as acting assistant surgeon at Charlotte’s Camp Greene during World War I.
Photo courtesy of NCpedia.org
Dovey Mae Johnson Roundtree was a civil rights activist, ordained minister, and attorney. Born in Charlotte in 1914, Dovey overcame poverty, racism, and sexism to play a critical role in desegregating both interstate bus travel and the United States Army. On the release of Dovey’s award-winning autobiography in 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama said, “It is on the shoulders of people like Dovey Johnson Roundtree that we stand today, and it is with her commitment to our core ideals that we will continue moving toward a better tomorrow.”
Photo courtesy of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library
The Intersection of Gender and Economic Injustice
As we honor these and other female trailblazers who fought for gender equality, we must also acknowledge that economic justice remains a critical issue for women today. At Crisis Assistance Ministry, we see how financial hardship disproportionately impacts women and their families, and we remain committed to breaking down barriers to economic stability.
One such woman is Deborah, a retired social worker who turned to Crisis Assistance Ministry after health issues devastated her previously comfortable life.
Fortunately, Deborah’s resilience and determination led her to a new and empowered chapter of her life, one in which she now works alongside Crisis Assistance Ministry to offer help, hope, and understanding to people who are struggling with limited financial resources.
How You Can Support Women’s Economic Justice
This Women’s History Month, in honor of trailblazers and everyday women alike, we invite you to take action:
- Advocate: Support policies that promote fair wages, affordable childcare, and economic opportunities for women. A good place to start is the North Carolina Council for Women.
- Donate: Your contributions to Crisis Assistance Ministry directly support women in Mecklenburg County facing financial crises.
- Volunteer: Help women in our community by joining with organizations working on issues that affect women. Crisis Assistance Ministry offers fulfilling volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals alike. You can also search SHARE Charlotte’s extensive list to find a cause that ignites your passion.
Women’s history is a testament to resilience and determination, and the fight for economic justice is far from over. Every day at Crisis Assistance Ministry, we meet women like Sierra and Deborah—women who, despite hardships, push forward with strength and hope. This Women’s History Month let’s do more than celebrate; let’s take action to ensure every woman has the financial security and opportunities she deserves.