53% of Hartford's total population are women.  The percentage of females to males living in Hartford increases with advancing age.  61% of all Hartford adults over age 65 are women, and 73 percent of all adults over age 85 are women.  The city must provide medical and social services for these older Hartford women, most of whom are low income.

Hartford is one of the ten poorest cities in the United States.  In Hartford, almost 55% of female heads of households live in poverty.

82% of Hartford's majority population come from groups often referred to as "minority."

At the same time as the city lost 13% of its overall population, Hartford experienced a 30% growth in its under eighteen-year old population.  Since women do the bulk of family care work, Hartford women more than ever need high-quality and affordable child care.

The majority of Hartford mothers are unmarried.  The city has one of the nation's highest percentage of births to teen mothers.

Many Hartford residents do not own an automobile.  Women are the primary food shoppers and are likely to be responsible for transporting children, and the elderly.

Activities of the PCSHW

• Members of the PCSHW form committees to meet needs of Hartford Women, and to recommend policies.  Current committees are engaged in:
• Improving health services for Hartford women
• Ensuring women equal employment opportunities and full participation in Hartford's major redevelopment projects
• Increasing visibility of issues affecting the lives of Hartford women.
• Informing city officials, other commissions, and the community about PCSHW's work
• Acting as a bridge between city officials and groups advocating equal access to family support for grandparent-headed households
• Presenting forums on topics like health care, medical insurance, nutrition, sex education and financial planning.  During Women's History Month, March, PCSHW holds forums on topics such as "Women in the New Century" and "How to Make Yourself Heard"
• Co-sponsoring conferences and fairs aimed at building self-esteem in teen women, and increasing awareness of health issues within the Hispanic community
• Conducting writing and communications workshops, for seniors living in Sheperd Park, and adult students at the Fox Middle School
• Forming community collaborations with women to provide assistance to new arrivals

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