Federal layoffs under DOGE disproportionately devastate Black women, sparking lasting hardship

In early 2025, an executive order dismantled diversity programs and empowered the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash the federal workforce, resulting in thousands of terminations. A University of Maryland one outlet found Black women's federal employment fell by 25%, reaching almost a 50% reduction at its nadir, while other groups saw no significant change, widening racial disparity. The National Women’s Law Center reported that women and people of color made up the majority of staff in the most targeted agencies, including Health and Human Services and Treasury.

The article follows Darnese Foster, a grant-management specialist who lost her job and now faces limited unemployment benefits, loss of storage items, and ongoing financial insecurity. Mental-health professionals warn that abrupt job loss creates trauma beyond income loss, heightening anxiety, depression, and a sense of instability for Black women who often serve as family breadwinners. Experts recommend community support and mutual aid as vital coping mechanisms amid the continued fallout.