COMMUNITY Furthermore, Over 28 percent of Polk County’s African American and African households are headed by a single female. In comparison, just over 11 percent of Polk County’s total households are headed by a single female. According to the 2016 Polk County Health Report, 36 percent of African American and African households with children in Polk County live at or below the federal poverty line. In comparison, 13.5 percent of the total Polk County population lives at or below the poverty line. This means that over 28 percent of single mothers carry an even heavier burden of facing obstacles embedded into a systemic process, which inevitably is passed down to the next generation. This is not so say that none of these women have left their own historic imprint in society. However, their disposition has made their achievements that much more deserving. And I think it is safe to say that along side these remarkable women stands another woman of strength and tenacity, empowering her to press for ward regardless of the obstacles in her way. It is this kind of support system that has propelled the movements of the past and which will continue to be a vital component in future endeavors when it comes to progress for women of color. “We all know that if we are going to make a difference, it’s going to take common goals ... collaboration and a certain degree of stubbornness,” said Arlinda McKeen, of the State Public Policy Group, in a recent interview with the Des Moines Register, regarding the One Economy Report. “The report is the first to lay out disparities that black people face in Iowa’s most populated county,” added Teree Caldwell-Johnson, chair woman of The Directors Council and board member of Des Moines Public Schools. “I think this will really lift up, from a qualitative and quantitative perspective, the significant challenges we face as a community,” she said.The One Economy initiative continues to make strides in bringing awareness to the disparities people of color experience in Polk County. However, the movement could not be possible without the courage of those who decided to take a stand against injustice. Why not leave your imprint in history and take that stand too? Join One Economy in the fight to bring about change in the face of structural racism, and overcoming barriers and glass ceilings that have been The Urban Experience 23
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