Gender inequalities are compounded by racial injustice. Between Black and white women, gaps are most marked in college completion, state legislative representation, and maternal mortality.
In every state, rates of maternal mortality are higher for Black women than white women. Black and Native American women are also two-to-three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women. In New Jersey, maternal mortality rates for Black women are almost quadruple those for white women.
This graph highlights the racial disparities in the US for maternal mortality compared between Black Women and White Women. The graph represents six states that had significant gaps between Black and White maternal mortalities per every 100,000 live births. New Jersey has a difference of 97.1 with white women making up 34.7 deaths while Black women make up 131.8 deaths per every 100,000 live births. The Global Comparison of New Jersey represents a difference of 13.2 deaths between India who has 145 deaths per 100,000 deaths. Louisiana has the second widest of 64.3 with white women making up 47.9 deaths while Black women make up 112.2 deaths. Missouri follows at third with a difference of 59, as white women make up 32.9 deaths while Black women make up 91.9 deaths. The Global Comparison of Missouri represents a difference of 6.1 deaths between Nicaragua who has 98 deaths per 100,000 deaths. Colorado has the fourth widest gap in the nation with a difference of 50.1 between 20.5 deaths for white women and 70.6 deaths and Black women. California sits at fifth with a difference of 46.9 deaths as white women make up 17 deaths while Black women make up 63.9 deaths. The Global Comparison of California represents a difference of 8.1 deaths between Libya who has 72 deaths per 100,000 deaths. Lastly, Arkansas has a difference of 34.5 with white women making up 41.8 of the deaths while Black women make up 76.3 deaths.
Many providers have a lot to unlearn: the reason that we have health disparities is not because we're biologically different.
While most Americans—more than 90 percent—have some kind of health insurance, medical debt and healthcare unaffordability are still major issues for many. Nationally, 17 percent of Black women cannot afford healthcare, while Black people are dying from COVID-19 at a rate twice that of white people.
This graph highlights the racial disparities in Healthcare Affordability in the United States compared between White, Black, Native American, and Hispanic Women. Results in this graph are represented by the percentage of women who reported being able to see a doctor in the past 12 months without financial constraints. White Women are at the top of the graph with 88 percent reporting being able to see a doctor without financial constraint. Black Women reported the second-highest percentage with 83 percent reporting being able to see a doctor without financial constraint. Native American Women are third with 82 percent reporting being able to see a doctor without financial constraint. Lastly, Hispanic Women are last with 78 percent reporting being able to see a doctor without financial constraint. The largest difference in healthcare affordability between represented racial groups can be seen in White Women and Hispanic Women with a gap of 10 percent.
Women of color now represent almost one-third of voting-age women, but are not represented at equal rates in state legislatures. There are no Native American women legislators in 37 states and the District of Columbia. There are no Black women legislators in Vermont, Hawaii, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Montana.
This graph highlights racial disparities in women’s representation in State Legislature in the United States. Racial demographics in this graph include White Women, Black Women, Native American Women, Asian Women, and Hispanic Women. White Women represent the highest percentage of state legislative seats held with 75 percent. Black Women represent the second-highest percentage of state legislative seats held with 14 percent. Native American Women represent the lowest percentage of state legislative seats held with 1 percent. Asian Women represent the second-lowest percentage of state legislative seats held with 2 percent. Hispanic Women represent the third-highest percentage of state legislative seats held with 6 percent. The largest racial gap between represented demographic groups can be seen between White Women and Native American Women with a difference of 74 percent of state legislative seats held.
“When I first arrived at the state capitol, I went from room to room and I did not see a picture of me. There were no pictures of any Black people on the wall. And I said, I know my ancestors have done something!... [so] I created my own wall.”
Contact your elected representative to demand action, and support non-profits working towards racial justice.