In 2009, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota launched the Status of Women & Girls in Minnesota (Status) research project in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School’s Center on Women, Gender, and Public Policy. Annually, data specific to Minnesota women and girls has been gathered, analyzed, and published in economics, safety, health, and leadership. The Status research and community input informs the Foundation’s annual grantmaking and policy agenda, and identifies new areas where research is needed.
The project represents a unique approach to research by using a gender-race-place-equity lens. More than 100 experts from academia, government, nonprofit and private sectors, elected bodies and philanthropy participated in working groups and reviewed data on women and girls in Minnesota to identify the key issues outlined in the research, and proffer solutions. Through the research, a baseline is provided for measuring where to apply needed interventions and benchmark the continued progress on the road to economic, political and social equality for all women and girls in Minnesota.