Business leaders are gathering with policy makers to explore how to move toward a sustainable economy at two policy forums hosted by the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) being held in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention. The actor and anti-cancer crusader Fran Drescher will be speaking about the importance of regulation to protect public health. She will make a keynote address at the half-day program on “Women, Business & the New Economy,” on September 6, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Another program, “Building a Sustainable Economy,” will be held on September 5, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Both events are at Hearst Tower, 47th Floor, 214 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. They are open to the public, but online registration is required at http://asbcouncil.org/conventions.

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At ASBC’s forum, “Women, Business and the New Economy,” on September 6, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, key women leaders in business and sustainability will look at the importance of corporate social responsibility, benefits and pay equity, access to capital, health, and the environment. The program also explores blended value ecosystems as they relate to women, human rights, and sustainability. In addition to Fran Drescher, participants include Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, Kim Jordan, CEO, New Belgium Brewery; Faith Taylor, Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation, Wyndham Group Worldwide; Melissa Fitzgerald, Actor, The West Wing and Chasing the Hill; Danielle Deane, Director of Energy and Environment Program, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies;
and Natalia Oberti Noguera, Founder and CEO, Pipeline Fellowship.

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A review of the 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances data reveals a troubling disparity: the top black 1 percent of households by income did not include a woman as head of the household . The same is true for for Hispanics. This doesn't mean female-headed households do not exist among the top income earners, but their numbers appear to be small.

"It's somewhat depressing, but it kind of shows us for every Sheila Johnson or Oprah Winfrey, clearly hundreds of thousands are financially struggling and not where they want to be in terms of income and net worth," says Lynnette Kalfani-Cox, Co-founder of Askthemoneycoach.com, a free financial advice blog.

Black women lack participation in so-called "wealth builders," says Wilhelmina Leigh, Senior Research Associate at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies , Leigh says looking at the drivers of wealth underscores the scarcity of black women in the top 1 percent.

Read more at The Grio.

Social researchers and financial experts agree that women investing for retirement--especially those from African-American, Latino and other ethnic communities--are facing tough choices in the wake of the last decade’s financial downturns.

Today’s tough economy leaves female retirees—regardless of whether they’ve had financial guidance—to grapple with decisions about how to invest their hard earned savings. Although retirement research and best-practice recommendations may be sparse, one thing many working women have going for them is their resilience.

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Experts say that data is limited on how women invest for their post-retirement years, partly because of individuals’ reluctance to share information about their finances, said Wilhelmina Leigh, a senior research associate in economic security for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, in Washington, D.C.

Read more at New America Media.

Researchers and financial experts alike agree that women’s post-retirement investment practices are topics worthy of exploration. But until such data and suggested best practices emerge, it’s tough choices for today’s female retirees who, with or without financial guidance, face tough decisions about how to invest their hard earned savings.

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On the topic of how women in general invest post retirement, experts say the data is limited and has to be inferred from what has been documented. That’s due in part to individuals’ reluctance to share information about their finances as well as the lack of funding to conduct such research, said Wilhelmina Leigh, Ph.D. and senior research associate in economic security for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

In 2009, the Joint Center polled 1,700 individuals in the National Opinion Poll about Social Security, Retirement Savings and the Economic Downturn. One specific question was designed to gauge how many respondents had consulted with a financial planner within the year prior to. According to the results, 16.4 percent of the 475 Black women polled and 15.9 percent of the 377 white women polled said they had consulted with a financial advisor.

Read more at The Louisiana Weekly.

To better understand the issues and to inform its deliberation in formulating recommendations for policy, research, and practice, the Infant Mortality Commission asked experts in various fields related to maternal and child health and infant mortality to prepare background papers on specific issues. This background paper examines the impact of stress and stress mediators on pregnancy outcomes for African American women. The report also examines social support and other relational experiences and makes recommendations for related changes in public policy and maternal and child health practices. This analysis complements and reinforces the recommendations of other Courage to Love: Infant Mortality Commission background and framing papers on infant mortality and resilience; the role of breastfeeding in maternal and infant health; the historical framework of policies and practices to reduce infant mortality; the authentic voices of those affected by infant mortality; and infant mortality in a global context.

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To better understand the issues and to inform its deliberation in formulating recommendations for policy, research, and practice, the Infant Mortality Commission asked experts in various fields related to maternal and child health and infant mortality to prepare background papers on specific issues. This background paper seeks to expand our understanding of the causes and effects of infant mortality within a broader global context. It offers comparisons between infant mortality in the U.S. and in other nations across the globe, providing a compassionate examination of the impact of social and economic inequalities on population health and infant mortality. The author concludes with policy recommendations to help mitigate or eliminate the inequalities that contribute to infant mortality. This analysis complements and reinforces the recommendations of other Courage to Love: Infant Mortality Commission background and framing papers on infant mortality and maternal nutrition; infant mortality and resilience; the role of breastfeeding in maternal and infant health; the historical framework of policies and practices to reduce infant mortality; and the authentic voices of those affected by infant mortality.

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To better understand the issues and to inform its deliberation in formulating recommendations for policy, research, and practice, the Infant Mortality Commission asked experts in various fields related to maternal and child health and infant mortality to prepare background papers on specific issues. This background paper examines the critical relationship between breastfeeding and infant mortality among African Americans, the racial/ethnic group with the lowest rate of breastfeeding. The authors explore the benefits of breastfeeding and the issues associated with racial/ethnic disparities in breastfeeding, concluding with an action plan for closing the gap through promotion of breastfeeding based on education, training, awareness, support, and research. This analysis complements and reinforces the recommendations of other Courage to Love: Infant Mortality Commission background and framing papers on infant mortality and maternal nutrition; infant mortality and resilience; the historical framework of policies and practices to reduce infant mortality; the authentic voices of those affected by infant mortality; and infant mortality in a global context.

Available in PDF Format Only.

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