When The Poverty Line Is Too Low, Everyone Pays The Price
Data from the National Women’s Law Center show poverty rising for Black women and older women under the Supplemental Poverty Measure between 2023 and 2024, while a recent survey from the Highland Project finds that an overwhelming majority — nearly 90% — of Black women say economic conditions have worsened and report mounting anxiety about routine bills. These are not people outside the economy; they are its backbone, doing essential work in care, service, education and the public sector while navigating higher costs and lower wages than their peers.