Reports & Toolkits

Building New Possibilities: Promising Practices for Recruiting and Retaining Students in Career and Technical Education Programs That Are Nontraditional for Their Gender

July 15, 2009

The Record of Judge Sonia Sotomayor on Critical Legal Rights for Women

July 09, 2009

The National Women’s Law Center reviewed Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s legal record, with a focus on cases addressing issues of particular importance to women.

Executive Summary: Strengthening Social Security Benefits for Widow(er)s: The 75 Percent Combined Worker Benefit Alternative

June 09, 2009

President Obama's FY 2010 Budget: A New Direction for Women and Families

May 13, 2009

After years of presidential budgets that expanded tax breaks for the very wealthiest while cutting services for women and families and neglecting long-term needs, the outline of the budget for Fiscal Year 2010 released by President Obama on February 26, 2009, charts a very different course.

Appropriations Bill for FY09

March 31, 2009

In 2008, President Bush’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009 (October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009) proposed cuts in a wide range of services important to women and their families.  Congress refused to make those cuts, resulting in a stalemate.  The regular appropriations bills to fund domestic agencies were not enacted.  Instead, Congress passed and President Bush signed a temporary measure that funded these services through March 6, 2009, generally at FY 08 levels.  On March 6, Congress passed and President Obama signed a resolut

Family Tax Credits in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

March 09, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides substantial new tax benefits for most working families. All of the provisions discussed in this report are at least partially refundable, so they will help low- and moderate-income workers with little or no federal income tax liability. This makes them more effective as economic recovery measures because lower-income people are more likely to spend additional income to purchase goods and services in their community. And, they will help keep millions of Americans out of poverty as the recession worsens.

How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Addresses Women's Needs

February 13, 2009

The worsening recession has caused pain across the country, especially for the millions of women and families who already were struggling to make ends meet. The Obama Administration and House and Senate leaders developed a strong plan for economic recovery to preserve and create jobs, help people through tough times, protect vital public services, and invest in our nation's future. The Conference Agreement on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes a number of measures that are especially important for women and their families.

Developing America's Potential: An Agenda for Affordable, High-Quality Child Care

January 30, 2009

Developing America's Potential: An Agenda for Affordable, High-Quality Child Care provides federal and state policy makers with a detailed road map for much needed systemic reforms in child care. This blueprint for the future of child care is the product of a collaboration among national and state organizations.

Reproductive Health Care Poll of Republicans and Independents

January 16, 2009

Public Strategies conducted a national survey of 1,000 self-identified Republican and Independent voters, September 30-October 8, 2008 on behalf of NWLC and the YWCA. The purpose of the survey was to gauge their attitudes and opinions on various reproductive health care issues, including comprehensive sex education, contraception, emergency contraception/Plan B and abortion. Some of the survey’s key findings will be noteworthy to lawmakers, as they run counter to long-held assumptions about Republican opinions on the issue of reproductive health care.

Reform Matters Toolkit: Making Real Progress for Women and Health Care

December 01, 2008

Women's advocates can play an integral role in making sure that health reform plans address women-specific needs and the challenges that women face in the health care system. Building on the National Women's Law Center's longstanding work on women's health and health care coverage, the Reform Matters Toolkit provides the resources women's advocates need to be full participants in the health care reform movement and policy debates at the state and national levels.