Did you know that for eleven years, Utah has ranked 50th in the nation regarding women’s equality? For eleven straight years, we as a state have been missing the mark on key measures of fairness for women — including wages, workplace environment and education and health outcomes (WalletHub, 2025). For eleven years, we have been failing the population that is claimed to be revered by the culture of our state. This is not a one-off occurrence. Inaction has been the case for over a decade now. And these numbers are not just statistics. They are a reflection of the value we as a state have of over half the residential population.
Utah’s ranking shows a failure of policy as well, not just culture. Without stronger civil rights protections for women in wages, workplace equity and leadership opportunities, these gaps will persist, and our community and economy will suffer.
This ranking shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is time for Utah leaders to act and start supporting policies like pay equity legislation. It is time for them to invest in affordable childcare and create pathways for women to succeed in higher education and political leadership positions.
We cannot afford another decade at the bottom. We are known as the Beehive State, and the symbolism of that is our dedication to hard work, unity and the virtue of perseverance. We should be known for leading the nation in innovation and community, not for holding the last place in equality.
Victoria Johansen, Herriman
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