From the Editor: Spotlight on Omaha’s Women in the Workforce
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 women accounted for 46.8% of the labor force–76.6 million in total—with 40.5% serving as the sole or co-breadwinner in their families. Women in Nebraska are some of the hardest working in the country. In fact, we have the highest percentage out of any state. 65.5% of women are in Nebraska’s workforce, or, just over half a million. Only one place ranks higher: the District of Columbia at 66.5%.
We should be proud, therefore, to celebrate what women in Omaha bring to the local economy. This issue of B2B does exactly that. Our annual “Women in Business” issue highlights women’s accomplishments and underscores how they make this city a great place to live, work, and do business.
Joan Squires, who has served as president of Omaha Performing Arts for over 20 years, is a prime example. Her visionary leadership has contributed an estimated $61 million in revenue to the city. It’s an astonishing amount, and it’s due to her determination to build an entertainment campus that by 2026 will include four world-class venues: the Orpheum Theater, the Holland Performing Arts Center, Steelhouse Omaha, and the forthcoming Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement.
She is just one of the women profiled in these pages. From affordable housing to the tech world, women are shaping Omaha’s distinct economic cityscape. With this issue, we honor women’s contributions and shine a light on how they enhance so many aspects of living and doing business in the city we call home.
FEATURED ARTICLES
