Half of Loudoun Women Experience Major Challenges: New Data from LCWAG

The Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls (LCWAG) has released its Impact Report, which includes the latest findings from the Voices of Loudoun Women community assessment series, now in its third year. Each page of the report features one of the nonprofit’s signature programs and displays the data utilized to inform its top priorities.

“As we strategize for the year ahead, LCWAG is determined to elevate women and girls while ensuring that the foundational supports for their mental health, economic security, and professional development are not compromised,” said LCWAG Chair Ferri Riar. “Through research in action, we will strengthen LCWAG's impact in 2023 and beyond, emboldening women and girls to thrive in Loudoun County.”

The LCWAG Research & Impact Hub conducts periodic community assessments and participant surveys, along with reviewing research from other state and national sources. These insights inform program development for Girl emPower, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Loudoun County Women's Hall of Fame, and other LCWAG initiatives.

One half of Loudoun women surveyed in December 2022 reported experiencing one or more major challenges. This level has increased significantly since prior years, when only one third of women surveyed were experiencing major challenges. The top three challenges were consistent in all three years: child care support, workforce connections, and access to health care (including mental health). Survey responses were collected from zip codes in every Loudoun County election district. 

Additional insights from the LCWAG Impact Report include:

  • For the third year in a row, 100% of Girl emPower Summit attendees (ages 12-18 years old) surveyed stated that after attending the event, they feel more confident about their future goals.

  • One in six Loudoun women surveyed in winter 2022 reported needing connections to employment or other workforce support. This demand has grown from spring 2021, when one in ten Loudoun women surveyed reported this need.

  • Loudoun women expressed the highest amount of interest in professional development opportunities that offer flexibility, such as webinars and other online training, career certificates, and returnships. More traditional options, including college degrees and internships, were less popular.

  • The latest sample period also found a growing need for housing support and food or nutritional support.

Click here to read the LCWAG Impact Report: www.LCWAG.org/research

Click here for LCWAG’s upcoming events: www.LCWAG.org/events

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The Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls (LCWAG) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization that promotes leadership development and fosters an inclusive community for Loudoun's women and girls through education, collaboration, and empowerment. LCWAG is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization independently funded through grants and private donations. www.LCWAG.org

LCWAG Contributor