Women have made tremendous gains toward economic equality during the last several decades. Nonetheless, women throughout the United States still earn less, are less likely to own a business, and are more likely to live in poverty than men. Even in areas where there have been significant advances in women’s status, there is still ample room for improvement. For example, at the rate of progress achieved between 1995 and 2005, women will not achieve wage parity for nearly 50 years.