As Teton County considers a moratorium on new development south of town, I'd like to urge county commissioners and town planners to consider women in shaping the comprehensive plan for the county.
You know, women. Women, fifty+ percent of the population, who in Wyoming earn only 66 cents to a man's dollar for the same work (the worst gender-based wage gap in the nation). Women who, in Wyoming, occupy only 30 % of managerial positions.
While we don't have the stats specific to Teton County, based on state averages it is safe to assume that women comprise a majority of service industry workers, teachers, nurses, and other employees that essentially make Jackson Hole run. These women deserve to live here in the town they love, the town they make function every day.
It is incumbent upon town and county officials to create housing here in the valley that a Wyoming woman, who makes on average $25K/year, can afford. And it is essential for women as a class to join together to demand that housing that fits our economic reality.
For more stats and info on women's status in Wyoming go to: http://www.iwpr.org/States2004/WY.htm.
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