Facts and figures on females from throughout the world.
By Lydia Gregovic, Illustrations by Jessica Wetterer
1,000 Square Feet
While the tiny-house trend—a downsizing movement that limits the size of houses to 1,000 square feet or less—is often tied to the home ownership of white couples, a growing number of women of color are embracing the little lifestyle. According to a recent study in the Journal of Real Estate and Finance Economics, black home-loan borrowers—and black women, in particular—are charged higher interest rates than their white home-loan-borrowing counterparts. With women already making up a majority of tiny-house owners (55 percent, according to website The Tiny Life), it’s no surprise many black women have started to think of home ownership in smaller terms. By embracing a new definition of “home,” these women have created an affordable way to live out the American Dream.
295 Women Served
Founded in 1957, Houston-based charity The Women’s Home was created to answer the need for a women-centric rescue facility for the homeless in a city where there was none. Today, the charity provides a stable home environment for 295 women, in addition to supportive programming designed to help residents overcome the lifelong cycle of homelessness. Unlike other similar programs, The Women’s Home’s WholeLife Model emphasizes holistic growth rather than focusing on one issue, such as addiction. By attending to all aspects of wellness, including emotional, mental, financial and physical, the home allows women to move beyond their at-risk status, with 86 percent of women who stay longer than six months leaving with both permanent housing and an average income of $12.56 per hour.
69 Percent More Money Spent
Despite stereotypes that assume otherwise, men actually spend 69 percent more money on Black Friday, the post-Thanksgiving discounted shopping extravaganza, than women do. A recent survey commissioned by media agency Mindshare North America found, on average, men spend about $417 per person during this spending-heavy holiday, as opposed to women, who spend an average of $247 per person. However, the survey found this discrepancy in spending may not be a product of how much each gender buys, but of how much their respective choices cost. According to the findings, men are more likely to buy pricier electronic items, such as gaming systems and computers, while women opt for less expensive gift selections, such as home goods and clothing.
26 Percent of Architects
Although women dominate the interior-design industry, earning 89.5 percent of all degrees in the field, according to a report by U.S. public-data conglomerate Data USA, they remain a minority in the architecture field, making up only 26 percent of working architects. For the women who do choose to pursue this path, the report cites, many feel pressured to prove themselves in ways their male counterparts may not have to, and some recount instances of being confused for an assistant or decorator when meeting with developers. Women architects who enter the field continue to shine, despite the obstacles they face, such as Gabriela Carrillo, the 2017 winner of the Women in Architecture Awards.
100 Years
Santa Claus and his North Pole workshop have long been a part of the Christmas tradition, but a somewhat less mentioned member of the Claus family is his daughter, who has been present in Christmas literature for more than 100 years. This Christmas, however, she’ll be stepping into the spotlight, and she’ll look a lot like Anna Kendrick. The Pitch Perfect actress is set to star alongside Saturday Night Live comedian Bill Hader in the Disney film Nicole, which tells the story of Claus’ daughter, Nicole, and her decision to take over Santa’s reign (and reins) after her famous father steps down. As the first female to play Santa on the big screen, Kendrick is turning perceptions of life in the North Pole on its head. Production on the film is scheduled to start this fall, with its theater debut penciled in for Nov. 8, 2019