Mark DeWolf

The work of the Women’s Bureau focuses on the ways current gendered caregiving patterns limit opportunities for mothers, especially in relation to their earnings and economic security.

Since COVID-19 became widespread in early 2020, mothers have experienced greater disruptions to their employment. Expanded access to paid family and medical leave, fair scheduling, improved compensation and greater investment in care infrastructure can help achieve a more equitable recovery.

Recovery has been uneven across demographics. Black women have faced the slowest recovery, with 2.6% fewer adult Black women employed in December 2021 than February 2020.