Research

We partner with local colleges and universities to conduct research on the issues affecting the well-being of women and children.

In late 1997, we engaged the services of the University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work to produce The Status of Women and Girls in Greater Houston, a seminal study that brought together statistics in six areas—education, health, social welfare, violence, work and leadership. This benchmark study provides a baseline by which we can measure future improvement. Equally important, it offers valuable insights into areas where Houston is a pacesetter.

Growing out of this study, we funded research on The Gap Between Education for Employability in 1999, expanding on the area of education.

The 2003–2004 sequel, The Status of Women and Girls, Greater Houston, was again conducted by UH Graduate School of Social Work. It provides further benchmarks that measure improvements as well as setbacks in areas of women and girls' status over the past seven years.

Previous studies have included subjects such as childcare, the “glass ceiling,” how women-owned businesses interact with major corporations and the emerging issues of girls and gangs. The research helps us identify areas of greatest need driving our grant-making decisions by determining where dollars will do the most good.

Printed copies of our studies are available upon request. Our most recent studies are available for download below.

Our funded studies

The Effectiveness of Financial Literacy Courses – A Pilot Study (2005-2006)
Preliminary indicator of the effectiveness of The Women’s Resource financial literacy seminars and recommendations for improvement
Rice University–Jones School of Graduate Management and School of Sociology
Download the entire study (pdf, 98 kb)

The Status of Women and Girls, Greater Houston
(2003-2004)
Second Edition study on education, health, violence, work, social welfare and leadership.
University of Houston – Graduate School of Social Work
Download the entire study (pdf, 1.3 mb) or choose a topic below.

• Introduction (pdf, 400 kb)
  
• Education & Training (pdf, 208 kb)
  
• Employment & Economics (pdf, 188 kb)
  
• Family & Community (pdf,180 kb)
  
• Health (pdf, 244 kb)
  
• Leadership (pdf, 160 kb)
  
• Crime & Safety (pdf, 164 kb)
  
• Appendices (pdf, 32 kb)
  

A Retrospective Study of the High School Experience of Women Leaders in the Greater Houston Area
(2002-2003)
Identifies elements in women’s high school backgrounds that contributed to their current achievements.
University of Houston-Clear Lake

Leadership Skills and Attributes of Houston Women in the 21st Century (2000-2001)
Looks at which skills and attributes Houston area women will need to succeed in leadership positions in the 21st century.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing

Women’s Health in the Greater Houston Area—A Status Report (1999-2000)
Looks at healthcare, causes of death, chronic illnesses, and perinatal health in conjunction with education and socioeconomic status.
Texas Women’s University

Gap Between Education and Employability (1998-1999)
Preparing females for top 21st century jobs.
University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work

The Status of Women and Girls in Greater Houston (1997)
Benchmark study on education, health, violence, work, social welfare and leadership.
University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work

Girls and Gangs: A Focus on Corporate Responsibility (1996)
Survey of middle school girls about gang activities and gang prevention; parallel survey regarding corporate responsibility and innovative corporate community involvement.
Texas Southern University in collaboration with Houston Community College System

Family Friendly Benefits: What’s Happening in Houston (1995)
Another look at childcare and other family friendly benefits three years later.
University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work

Promoting Partnerships (1994)
The relationship between women-owned companies and big business.
University of Houston, College of Business Administration, Institute for Diversity
and Cross Cultural Management

Project Breakthrough (1993)
How companies afford opportunities for women to break the “glass ceiling” into positions of influence within their organization.
University of Houston, College of Business Administration, Institute for Diversity and CrossCultural Management

Corporate Childcare Benefits: What do Houston Employers Offer? (1992)
Family friendly policies, particularly in area of childcare.
University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work