An Economy That Works for Everyone

Last month, Senator Elizabeth Warren gave a speech laying out an economic populist vision for an economy that works for everyone. She called for policies like universal child care and health care, affordable housing, stronger Social Security, and stronger unions, among other priorities to boost pay and make life more affordable for people.

Senator Warren stressed that “Americans are stretched to the breaking point financially,” and correctly laid the blame on rules rigged for corporations and the wealthy, at the expense of the majority of families. She’s right. And most American families will continue to see their finances erode — unless the rules governing our economy are changed to ensure fairness and broad prosperity.

While the vast majority of families would benefit from the kinds of policies Warren advocated, women — who experience greater economic challenges than men — would have the most to gain. The Century Foundation, a national progressive think tank, found that in 2025 while men and women were both struggling with rising costs, women were faring worse on almost every indicator. Women take on more debt to cover the basics, borrowing from friends and family to pay bills, falling behind on monthly bills, and having difficulty paying rent or mortgage. More women (53 percent) than men (44 percent) are worried that they could not cover an unexpected bill of $500 without having to borrow money. Women are twice as likely as men to report skipping medicine to deal with their financial situation; nearly three-quarters of women report buying fewer, or less expensive, groceries and more than half have tapped into their savings.

This unequal impact is due to the fact that most of the U.S. economic, workplace, and public policies were not designed with women in mind. So much was built on the idea that an employee would be available to employers at all hours, with someone else (generally a wife) available for caregiving responsibilities. At the same time, many people have to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet, which leaves no time for their families, their health, or any of the other basics of a decent life.

Today, the economy relies on a diverse workforce that includes more than half of all women over age 20. Women are breadwinners, investors, business owners, and caregivers. In fact, as more women entered the labor force and brought home larger paychecks over the last four decades, they drove 91 percent of the income gains experienced by families. Women’s economic contributions stabilize families and grow the economy. That means for women to thrive, our economy needs to work for them; and for our economy to prosper, women need agency and economic power — it’s a mutually reinforcing notion.

Imagine what it could look like if our nation was built on policies that center the notion that women’s contributions are critical to our shared prosperity.

With universal child care, every family could find, afford, and choose the child care option that best meets their needs, with abundant high-quality options and a well-compensated workforce. Women, who are still the primary caregivers and most likely to shift their work schedules or leave the workforce altogether to accommodate caregiving, would have less financial strain, as well as the peace of mind that their children are safe, happy, healthy, and learning. With a robust care infrastructure in place, seniors and people with disabilities could find and afford care that supports family caregivers and enables loved ones to live full, independent lives at home in their communities. When someone has a serious illness or welcomes a new child, they could take needed time without losing pay or their job. The care workforce would be paid wages and benefits to sustain their own families while they are working to support all of us. These policies benefit everyone.

Imagine: with easy access to affordable, high-quality health care, women would get relief from the stress of high medical bills and the burdensome medical debt they take on caring for themselves and their children. They would receive regular preventive care, lifesaving screenings, and access to maternal and reproductive health care to support the best outcomes as they create families. When anyone needs health care, they could quickly see a medical professional without breaking the bank, and if they need a loved one with them, everyone would have paid sick days to take time from work without sacrificing a paycheck to support their child, parent, or other loved one.

With affordable housing, women — who were not allowed to own property in their own name as recently as 1974 — could buy or rent a home in a safe community of their choice. They could pay their rent or mortgage and still have confidence they could cover the costs of utilities, school supplies, and decent food and still have savings for emergencies and retirement.

Stronger unions would provide the connection, community, and collective power that leads to greater enjoyment of work, as well as higher wages and better working conditions. In 2024, women who worked full time in unionized workplaces were typically paid $1,232 per week — 21% (or $216) more than women who were not in a union. In the workforce overall, women lose $9,990 per year in median earnings due to the gender wage gap, with even higher losses for many women of color. However, unionized women’s wages are not only higher than non-union women’s, they are also closer to men’s wages.

Increasing Social Security checks would help women, especially mothers. Women who work all their lives — whether caring for children and other loved ones or in the paid workforce — deserve to have a secure retirement. Women are also more reliant on Social Security than men. Bigger Social Security checks that take caregiving into consideration (through Social Security caregivers credits) would help make it possible to exit the workforce with financial security.

This agenda would support women at every age and stage, with multiplier effects that support their children, families, and the broader economy. This vision also guards against imbalances in power and the accumulation of wealth by just a few men at the expense of women, children, and working families. Public dollars should be invested in programs that are responsive to people’s basic needs and ability to thrive economically, helping ensure that all Americans — not just corporations and the ultrawealthy — have the resources and power to make the best choices for themselves and their families.

Policies like these grow the economy by every measure. They would:

• add billions of dollars to our gross domestic product
• create millions of jobs
• increase consumer spending
• boost productivity
• help people build savings and wealth
• support businesses
• bolster workforce participation
• help families afford basic needs and a decent life
• ensure meaningful work with dignity
• reduce stress, burnout, and financial strain
• help people build savings and wealth
• improve health and well-being
• build social connections
• increase trust in government

It’s time for new economic rules that make it easier for everyone to thrive, which requires making it easier for women to participate in the economy. A society that delivers on these commitments is in the best position to sustain a vibrant economy and healthy democracy for everyone.