From Purses to Portfolios is a program established by the Delaware Money School in partnership with Delaware State Treasurer, Jack Markell, and sponsored by Citi.

This program has a variety of components, each planned to help women better understand how to manage their money. We believe that with tools and knowledge, women can take charge of their financial health and provide a better environment for themselves and their families.

Women are in a unique and often vulnerable position financially. Did you know that:

• The average woman is widowed at age 56.

• Married Baby Boomer women can expect to outlive their husbands by 15-20 years on the average.

• 90% of women end up managing their finances alone during some time in their lives.

• 40% of all working women also head their own households.

• Women are paid an average of 24% less than men, according to the US Department of Labor.

• Women leave the workforce for an average of 11½ years, vs. only 16 months for men.

• Almost half of all working women earn less than $6.33 an hour.

• Delaware women make $.76 compared to every $1 Delaware men makes.

• According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics, a woman earns 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. (In 1970, that number was 69 cents. (At this rate, it will take more than 150 years to level out that discrepancy.)

• The 2002 average median income for a Delaware woman was $31,200 which is $11,544 less than the 2002 average median income for a Delaware man.

• Women represent 40% of the workforce, but only 5% of senior executives.

• In Delaware 60% of new jobs will require some education beyond high school. Currently, 33% of  Delaware women have earned a college education (two or four year degree or higher).

• 34.2% of Delaware women are employed in managerial and professional occupations. On the other hand, 64% of Delaware women are employed in the service sector and more than 76% of women work in an administrative capacity.

• Delaware women comprise more than 60% of the labor market yet only 24% of Delaware businesses are owned by women.

• 27% of women have no financial plans for retirement.