2022 was a record-setting year for United WE and our mission to advance all women's economic and civic leadership. As always, we were focused on research + solutions = results to improve the lives of thousands of women across the Midwest and beyond.
Released five evidence-based research studies
Seven bills we advocated for in Kansas and Missouri were signed into law
Our team grew by 80% to accelerate our impact
2,276 women participated in Appointments Project® trainings or programming
42% of Appointments Project® participants are women of color
Raised more funds than ever at We Work for Change ($683,217) with viewers from 22 states.
121 published media stories helped spread our mission across the nation
2022 Highlights
We made many accomplishments possible this year through your support and engagement with United WE. Below are some of the highlights from the year.
📈 Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe utilized data from our Missouri Town Halls Report to convene a key group of leaders, including our own Wendy Doyle, to discuss pressing childcare needs.
💬 The Appointments Project® and the University of Kansas launched Ready to Run, an educational series for Kansas women interested in serving on a board or commission.
📈 Released Status of Women in Kansas Report in partnership with the University of Kansas.
✋ Testified in support of the Eyebrow Threading Bill (Kansas SB 348), which would exempt eyebrow threading from the practice of cosmetology, reducing an occupational licensing barrier.
💖 Celebrated the impact of trailblazing women during Women’s History Month and partnered with woman-owned businesses in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8.
📈 Announced a five-year evaluation conducted by Notre Dame and Tulane University that will assess the impact of the Appointments Project® program.
💬 The Appointments Project® expanded to Richmond, VA, and Oklahoma City, OK.
❤️ Raised $97,785 at the 2022 Champion Breakfast, which featured Chris and Angie Long of the KC Current, Kathy and Mark Donovan, and County Executive Frank White Jr.
📈 Released the Status of Women in Oklahoma Report in partnership with The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University.
✒️ State Capitol Memorial Commemorating Kansas Suffragists Bill (Kansas SB 479) signed into law, which authorized a permanent Kansas suffragist memorial in the State Capitol.
✒️ Childcare Tax Credit Bill (Kansas HB 2237) signed into law, which expanded tax benefits to small businesses.
✒️ Eyebrow Threading Bill (Kansas SB 348) was signed into law, which improved job opportunities for women.
✒️ The Kansas Heroes Scholarship Bill (Kansas HB 2716) signed into law, which provides post-secondary education tuition assistance for a spouse or dependent of an emergency service provider or military service member who died or was disabled in the line of duty.
💖 We recognized Title IX, Juneteenth, and Pride Month. Each celebration elevated those who have historically been underrepresented in the public and private sectors.
📈 Launched the Kansas Town Hall listening initiative, starting in Topeka, KS.
✒️ Professional Licensing Bill (Missouri HB 2149) signed into law, which provides occupational licensing reciprocity to military employees and contractors participating in the Innovative Readiness Training.
✒️ Provisions to Childcare Bill (Missouri SB 683) signed into law, which exempts "day camps" from licensure, allowing more summer daycare options for families.
📈 Announced the award of a $475,000 grant by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to conduct a national research study on childcare licensing.
✒️ Fast Track Workforce Incentive Bill (Missouri SB 672) signed into law, which is a workforce financial aid program with the majority of recipients being female.
💬 The Appointments Project® and the University of Missouri Extension begin a partnership to develop Show-Me R.E.D.I, an educational series for Missouri women interested in serving on a board or commission.
📈 Released an update to our Occupational Licensing and Women in Missouri Report in partnership with the University of Missouri and CommunityAmerica Credit Union.
📈 Completed the Kansas Town Hall listening session and began aggregating the data.
❤️ Beneficiary of Inspiring Women Night at KC Current Game, where Appointments Project® appointees and United WE leaders were recognized on the field.
💖 Hosted the women of Moldova for an international conversation on gender equity.
❤️ Raised $683,217 at We Work for Change, which featured keynote speaker, Ret. Lt. Gen. Nadja West.
👥 United WE hosted an occupational licensing panel at the Missouri Hawthorn Foundation Governor’s Conference on Economic Development.
Wendy Doyle addressed the League of Kansas Municipalities at its annual conference, sharing information about the Appointments Project® and important research on Kansas women.
🎉 Celebrated the award of a $30,000 grant to the University of Missouri that will provide a $3,000 stipend to cover childcare, transportation, and business expenses for 10 small business owners.
📈 Released the Kansas Town Hall Report in partnership with the Kansas Women's Economic Development Task Force, and sponsored by Ash Grove Charitable Foundation, Patterson Family Foundation, UnitedHealthcare and the Bicknell Family Foundation.
💻 Hosted a webinar in partnership with McKinsey & Company to review the 2022 Women in the Workplace Report.
💻 Hosted a LinkedIn Live with Bank of America in celebration of Women's Entrepreneurship Week.
❤️ Raised $10,667 on Giving Tuesday with matching gifts from the Herman Family Foundation and Kathy & Mark Donovan!
💖 Hosted our first Legacy Society Lunch.
📈 Hosted a press conference with Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Chamber on a childcare workforce development strategy.
Coming in 2023:
Nation-wide announcement of the national childcare study
New Appointments Project® curriculum
Research on gender parity in municipalities in Missouri
Research on childcare licensing county-by-county in Missouri
Expansion of the United WE network
Mark Your Calendars:
Registration for the first Show-Me R.E.D.I. course for women in Missouri is open, with the first class starting on February 6, 2023.
We Work for Change: September 26, 2023
Make Your Gift Before 12/31/22
It's not too late to support gender equity in 2022! Every gift donated to United WE today will be matched by the Herman Family Foundation, up to $20,000. There’s no better time to unite for women than right now!