Sharon Johnson, Author at Women's eNews

Waitress’s Wages Leave Little to Take Home

By Sharon Johnson ● Employment ● May 22, 2012

A waitress in a family-style restaurant in Detroit says it’s a struggle to make ends meet. Most servers are women and they are subject to a sub-minimum wage that hasn’t been raised since 1991. Family members often provide a crucial safety net.

Report: 60% of Older Women Can’t Afford Basics

By Sharon Johnson ● Employment ● March 29, 2012

The annual income of the typical older woman was $14,000 in 2010, compared with the older man’s $24,300, finds a March 29 report from Wider Opportunities for Women. More elderly women live alone, which contributes to their financial insecurity.

Battles Loom on Women’s Rights, Health, Budget

By Sharon Johnson ● Politics ● March 21, 2012

Spring brings an overflow of political battles that affect women. Statehouse bills attack choice, Medicare and Medicaid could be picked apart in agency budget hearings and federal spending to curb domestic violence faces unusual opposition.

Female Longevity Offset by Lethal Gender Gaps

By Sharon Johnson ● Politics ● March 13, 2012

Women live longer than men, yet speakers at a recent conference asserted that the low status of women and girls results in about 3.9 million excess deaths of girls relative to men.

Tipped Workers Hope for Hike in Sub-Minimum Wage

By Sharon Johnson ● Employment ● February 5, 2012

After decades of enduring frozen wages, the nation’s 3.3 million tipped workers — most of whom are women — may receive a minimum-pay hike. This could alleviate what economist Sylvia A. Allegretto calls an under-appreciated factor in women’s poverty.

NOW Sees Dangerous Deficit-Slashing Season Ahead

By Sharon Johnson ● Politics ● August 23, 2011

Given the chances that the 12-person “super committee” in Congress might cut into the mainstays of the social safety net, NOW and other advocacy groups are keeping a watchful, worried eye on the next three months.

Default Fears Clip Fight for Women’s Retirement

By Sharon Johnson ● Employment ● July 27, 2011

As a U.S. government default deadline looms, last-minute deal-making is intensifying the threats to Social Security, the retirement program upon which women disproportionately depend, particularly African American women and Latinas.

Obama Draws Fire for ‘Chaining’ Social Security

By Sharon Johnson ● Crime & Law ● July 14, 2011

As the deadline to avert a U.S. debt default looms, Obama is proposing lowering cost-of-living increases for Social Security. Women’s advocates cry foul, saying it’s not a “shared sacrifice” and unfairly punishes the elderly.

Study Details Causes of High Maternal Death Rates

By Sharon Johnson ● Crime & Law ● April 25, 2011

A small study of maternal deaths in New York City rings loud warning bells for pregnant African American women. Experts offer ideas on lowering some of the deadliest risks for all women: hypertension, C-section, embolism and pre-eclampsia.

Black Women’s Maternal Risks Go Unquestioned

By Sharon Johnson ● Health & Science ● April 22, 2011

Finding out why so many more African American women die in childbirth starts with keeping statistics and spotting problems in hospitals. Right now there is no federal requirement to report maternal deaths so remedies are hard to prescribe.

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