by Martha Burk
By far the most influential of several U.S. think tanks specializing in issues of importance to women, IWPR grew from a small three-person shop to a powerhouse in the policy community under Hartmann’s steady hand. Since its inception, the Institute’s research and policy papers have influenced every administration, regardless of party, and have been consistently used by activist groups to inform their members and underpin demands for action with solid data.
Over an eight year period, 50 state reports were produced by IWPR chronicling women’s progress in employment and earnings, business ownership, political office holding and reproductive rights—both successes and shortcomings. The reports have been very useful for local organizations in talking to the media and raising the profile of issues important to women and what needs to be done. It’s enormously helpful to have information specific to each state.
