Kansas Municipalities and Gender Balance Research
In March 2022, United WE revealed research conducted by the University of Kansas Institute for Leadership Studies about women’s representation on Kansas municipal boards and commissions. Funded by United WE, the research project was conducted as part of the Appointments Project® and Ready to Run Kansas Women’s Leadership Series. The report revealed that Kansas women are underrepresented on civic boards and commissions, especially on “power boards” that have direct influence on policy making and financial resource allocation such as planning and zoning boards.
Read the full report here.
Celebrate Our Appointees with Us!
The Appointments Project® has secured appointments for more than 180 women to serve in city, county and state civic leadership positions. In addition to increasing gender diversity, the project emphasizes increasing racial equity on civic boards and commissions among women, with women of color representing 37% of applicants.
Increasing gender diversity on civic boards and commissions improves organizational effectiveness, increases public trust and improves all people’s lives. In addition, women who gain experience and confidence in civic leadership roles often go on to achieve greater influence by running for public office or serving at higher levels of leadership.
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The Latest Appointments Project® News
Success in Kansas City
Former KCMO Mayor Sly James
“In Kansas City, Missouri, we helped move the number of women appointed to civic boards and commissions from 33% to 43% in three short years.”
The office of former Mayor Sly James partnered with United WE to lay the groundwork for the pilot Appointments Project to increase the number of women on boards and commissions in Kansas City. Our work together increased the percentage of women serving on Kansas City, Missouri boards and commissions.