During the twentieth century, women made significant economic, political, and social advances, but they are far from enjoying gender equality. Throughout the United States, women earn less than men, are seriously under represented in political office, and make up a disproportionate share of people in poverty. Even in areas where there have been significant advances in women’s status, rates of progress are slow. For example, at the rate of progress achieved over the past ten years, women will not achieve wage parity for more than 60 years. If women’s representation in Congress changes at the rate it did during the 1990s, it will take more than a century to achieve equality in political representation.