For most people, a year is marked by the beginning of January and end of December. For me, a year often feels like it starts in October and ends in September because we hold our signature annual event in September.
Just last week, I stood on stage at We Work for Change in front of nearly 1,400 women and allies reflecting on the past year. To be honest, it has felt like we have been on a roller coaster, and sometimes like one in reverse. Have you ever been on one of those rides? By the time you get off, you may be dizzy, turned around, and a bit discombobulated.
But at least you’re back on the ground.
The reality is that today’s world of rapid change, political division, and social media can be distracting. So how do we stay grounded, and focused… with the chaos all around us?
For me, I go back to my guiding principles that I developed in college and that still hold true: simplicity, humility, and truth.
When things get complicated, I think: how can we simplify?
When how we’re perceived feels more important than the work that we do, I think: how can we practice humility?
When we’re bombarded with misinformation, propaganda, and soundbites, I think: how can we find the truth?
These three values are grounding to me. And it’s probably no surprise that they are aligned with our mission and how we lead at United WE. There are many, many issues impacting women but we cannot tackle them all, so we focus on six.
These are issues that we’ve found to be at the crossroads of two things: those most impactful in terms of advancing economic opportunity for women, and where United WE is best situated to lead change as we look forward. And none of these issues are partisan.
Our research shows that employees who have access to paid family leave are more productive, more motivated, and stay longer at their jobs. But too many employees do not have access to paid leave.
In Kansas we provided the research that motivated Governor Colyer to issue an executive order providing paid parental leave to state employees. We’ve continued work on this issue with Governor Kelly, who has embraced the policy and enhanced it by providing even more time and including foster care. Both governors have been champions for this cause - and it was a big win for women and families in Kansas.
Now, we are currently working with both corporate employers and policymakers across the midwest about the importance of paid family and medical leave.Our research shows that women hold professional licenses at three times the rate of men, with nurses, teachers, and realtors topping the list. But it’s not easy to relocate from another state and continue doing work.
In response, we’ve advocated for legislative and administrative changes to expand reciprocity rules to help more women and military spouses to stay in their professions and grow their careers. This means women can continue their careers across state lines.
There aren’t many organizations working on this. That’s why United WE is leading the way nationally in tackling and elevating this little-known barrier that affects thousands of people.Our research shows Women in Missouri earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns; Women in Kansas earn 79 cents and Women in Oklahoma earn 74.5 cents for every dollar a man earns. On September 21, in honor of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we also recognized that Black women are paid only 58 cents for every dollar paid to white men.
This has huge economic implications for women, their families and their communities. That’s why we’ve been chipping away at this issue, from statewide equal pay executive orders to pay equity best practice guidelines for employers and now, salary history bans.Our research shows a tremendous economic opportunity for women who start and grow their own businesses. But barriers stand in the way. The common theme we heard from our recent town halls in Missouri and Kansas was lack of access to capital.
To help women build relationships and have access to the cash they need to launch and grow their businesses, we will be sharing the town hall findings with bankers’ associations and other non-profit entrepreneur support organizations.
We aim to have more women gain credit, loans, and investments so they can grow their businesses and create jobs.Our research shows lack of childcare is keeping women from entering and re-entering the workforce.
That’s why we’re tackling this issue - one that has an economic impact of $1.35 billion dollars … in Missouri alone.
We were just awarded a 2-year grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to study the issue of childcare facility licensing on a state-by-state basis. It will be our first national research project. We will use the data to make it easier for more quality childcare facilities to open - or stay open - and meet the needs of our communities.Our research shows there are still gender gaps in local and statewide boards and commissions, meaning women’s voices aren’t fully represented in policy making.
That’s why we developed the Appointments Project®, initially launched in Kansas City. And together, we have increased the representation of women on Kansas City boards and commissions from 32% to 51%.
Today, we’re in 36 cities and 7 states and we’re determined to make sure women are in positions of civic leadership across the country. Because when it comes to making policy decisions, representation matters.
Do any of these six resonate with you? Do all of them? At our current rate of progress, it will take another 137 years because we see gender equality. We cannot do this without you. I encourage you to become a gender equity Ambassador today.