Women's Economic Security Conference . The U.S. Department of Labor, along with a variety of public and private partners, generously sponsored this statewide educational event. The foundations goal of the conference was to heighten awareness among women of the retirement savings issue through education and community outreach efforts. The purpose behind Project Green Purse was to reach a segment of the population that faces obstacles in retirement planning. Historically, women tend to miss opportunities to save for retirement.
Women continue to earn nearly one-fourth less than men.
Women are in and out of the workforce more frequently than men are and most pension plans are not crafted with the specific needs of women in mind. One of the main priorities of Project Green Purse was to effectively act as a pilot conference, establishing a model for other states to follow in pursuing a retirement savings education campaign. Several states have expressed interest in mirroring Oregon's model. Encouraging other states to host similar women's retirement savings conferences is a decision based upon the overwhelmingly positive feedback and response the state has received regarding the event. To effect real change and alter existing financial habits, one conference is simply not enough .