Stroud 10
order referred back to the 1974 Louisiana Constitution Declaration of Rights that provided for
“the individual dignity and fullest development of everyone without regard to birth, age, sex,
culture, physical condition, or political ideas or affiliations.”
23
The most important piece within
the document is the acknowledgement of women’s status in Louisiana.
Statistical data that compares the status of females in […] Louisiana to males
in this state and to females throughout the Unites States suggests that gender-
based disparities and gender-related hardships may persist in this state to a
greater degree that in the nation as a whole and negatively impact on the quality
of life of Louisiana’s female population, especially in the areas of access to
health care and earnings potential.
24
This statement wraps up the barriers that women face when attempting to enter into Louisiana
politics. Additionally, it points to the absolute necessity of having a gender-balanced Louisiana
Legislature. According to Dr. Beth Willinger
25
, women in 1960 made 60.7% of the wages earned
by men.
26
In 2002, women in the United States had closed the wage gap to just over 75%.
However, in Louisiana, women in 2002 earned 68.5% of the average Louisiana male’s income.
27
If women are at the disadvantage of having to live on more than one-third less income than men,
then women are obviously less likely able to afford to run a campaign to be elected.
Additionally, if elected, women must then be concerned with having to leave employment in
some cases to tend to Congressional duties. This can create hardships which are not easily
overcome.
23
“Executive Order MJF 00-6: Louisiana Women’s Policy and research and Commission” (16 February 2000).
24
Ibid.
25
Executive Director, Newcomb College Center for Research on Women, Tulane University.
26
Willinger, Beth PhD, “Closing The Gender Wage Gap: How Are Louisiana Women Doing” (September 2004),
Available at http://www.tulane.edu/~wc/text/eagegap.html. Full-time, year-round income was used to gather
statistic. Internet accessed 17 January 2005.
27
Ibid.
Convention