PANEL DISCUSSION: Effects of the Pandemic on Women in the Workforce and last updated 2021-03-03 20:17:27-05 Women have historically been the Chief Executives of their households â caring for children and maintaining the home â all while typically managing their own careers. With the onset of the pandemic last year, weâve seen these responsibilities grow as women have been expected to fill the roles of teacher, therapist, cook, and sometimes even referee. Some, unfortunately, have lost their jobs, and others have left the workforce to handle all the needs at home. These effects have been magnified in communities of color, which have higher unemployment rates than white communities.