Donor Feature: Celebrating Ambassador, Changemaker & Appointee Peggy Amor

Meet Peggy: Mom, Volunteer, Marketing Professional and PTA President.

While saying she is busy may be a captain-obvious statement, she still finds time to give back to organizations that she deeply believes in, like United WE.

“I was initially drawn to United WE by the Appointments Project®. It is such a specific and successful program that I continue to be impressed by,” said Peggy. “In fact, United WE's presence in my life contributed to my confidence to apply for and serve on, several boards in my local municipality. Also, I am a data nerd, and I relied on their research around paid family leave to pitch changes at my previous workplaces.” 

Peggy now does freelance marketing for architecture and engineering firms so understands the importance of brand promotion. She became a United WE Ambassador in 2021 to help share the story of United WE, and a few short months later felt compelled to make a tangible impact so became a United WE Changemaker through a monthly gift.

“I was inspired to become a Changemaker because the work happening has a history of being critical to impacting actual policy change in our local states. I also appreciate UnitedWE's steadfast commitment to the work and I know it will only lead to more success in the future. The Changemaker commitment level is a small price to pay to be a part of this important work.” 

Join Peggy and become a United WE Changemaker and help impact the important work being done to remove barriers for women.

Why Aren’t Women Business Owners Getting the Support They Need? Our Economy Depends On It.

In business, relationships matter. This is the case for any organization, including small businesses, but the magnitude cannot be understated for women business owners. The impact of relationships is so vital, the creation of a small business hinging on a banking institution loaning money to get the business off the ground. 

Women business owners face this type of barrier every day. We know this – because at United WE, we talk to them – but more importantly, we listen.

Recently, a woman entrepreneur told our organization she was turned down by 22 banks and finally received a loan from bank number 23. Only two of the bankers explained why she was declined, with one citing the need for a husband to support the business, and another suggesting she allow the bank to manage her money and that she should get a traditional job.

Over the past couple years, we’ve held town hall meetings across Kansas and Missouri as an opportunity for women and allies to share their experiences. We constantly hear from women that limited business resources, damaging cultural norms and networks have negatively impacted their business endeavors. 

The findings are published as research reports in our United WE Institute with next step recommendations to address the barriers women are experiencing.

Access to Capital for Women Entrepreneurs

We learned women lack fruitful relationships with banking institutions – indicating that relationships are most commonly transactional in nature. From our town hall research, 66% of Kansas women describe the relationship with their financial institution as transactional vs. 34% who categorize it as relational.

This lack of relationships with banking institutions affects women’s ability to access capital when forming businesses and limits their awareness of important financial information and resources to grow and sustain businesses.

• One town hall participant from Garden City, Kansas said, “…I got laughed at when I tried to get capital from financial institutions for my business, so I had to open several credit cards.” 

• Another participant in Wichita, Kansas said, “…the banks don’t take women business owners seriously.”

In Missouri, more than 60% of women surveyed were interested in starting a business. Yet, women from the town halls talked about receiving very little to no support from others when starting businesses and access to affordable benefits being a barrier to getting started.

A Roundtable Revealed More Barriers

To further expand on what we heard in our town halls, we partnered with the Center for American Entrepreneurship on a roundtable with women entrepreneurs to dive deeper into understanding the barriers they face. The session focused on many issues like mentoring, peer support, and the issue of inequitable treatment by banks.

The session revealed many issues, including challenges with women-owned businesses in male-dominated industries, the desire for male and female mentors to launch and scale business, lack of access to capital (especially from large banks), and a desire to provide great benefits and professional development without absorbent costs. Read here for a report that further details the learnings, insights and next steps from the roundtable event.

Change Must Happen Now

Small businesses are the engine to our economy, and we must support women business owners. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, Kansas and Missouri’s economies stand to grow by 10-15% by 2025 if women’s participation in the labor force is boosted.

On average, women business owners believe they will achieve equal access to capital by 2031. That’s not soon enough. Change will not come far enough or fast enough unless we intentionally focus on creating opportunities for prospective business owners, particularly those underrepresented in entrepreneurship today.

We will never achieve true economic prosperity in this country without women. As the daughter and granddaughter of small business women, I feel it is a privilege and my responsibility to lead an organization that works to empower even more women to achieve their dreams. 

At United WE, we are taking action and will continue to be a leading voice in our region by removing barriers for women and advocating for policies that support women’s economic development.

After all, our economy depends on it.

America, It’s Time To Face Our National Childcare Crisis

Access to childcare is a cascading crisis - a situation that was at its breaking point before the pandemic and loosely held together with pandemic-era relief funding. 

September 30, 2023 was a critical day this year. It marked the end of federal childcare funding, which provided immediate cash relief for childcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now that critical childcare funding has expired and sent America over a “childcare cliff,” the potential effects could be disastrous for families, the economy and especially women.

The fact of the matter is that our childcare system was already crumbling. The pandemic and the cliff simply brought it to light for our nation. Today and in the future, you will see more policymakers running on the platform of childcare and more media coverage laying out the impact on families. 

Families and Entrepreneurs Brace For What’s Next
The end of the childcare funding has raised concern amongst parents and business owners alike. As this critical support system came to a halt, many working parents - especially female entrepreneurs - found themselves grappling with the impact it will have on their families. 

Over the coming months, parents will likely see an increase in childcare costs as entities work to replace the financial support provided by the federal funding. Add on inflation and the current state of our economy, and we’re about to see our nation’s childcare situation go from bad to worse. 

United WE Takes Action
You should know by now our organization does anything but sit idle. We are determined to push the United States to the next generation of childcare policy solutions. Our influence here in the Midwest can and will serve as a model to drive positive change for America. 

As part of our two-year Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, United WE has formed a childcare commission of national leaders and is also conducting a nationwide survey of mothers who are entrepreneurs. The survey will help us better understand the childcare needs and barriers for mothers who are entrepreneurs in a post COVID-19 environment. 

National Leaders Form Commission 
The United WE Commission on Childcare and Women’s Entrepreneurship is a critical component of the Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, an effort funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, that will generate new policy ideas in the heartland to reduce the childcare barriers limiting women’s entrepreneurship.

The Commission will share unique perspectives and expertise to increase access to childcare and help identify possible solutions to promote women’s entrepreneurship by increasing access to childcare. 

We are delighted to be welcoming our commission of national leaders to Kansas City, Missouri, in early November for an inaugural meeting about the critical childcare crisis. During this gathering we will engage in generative workshops, present new research, foster discussion in a rich small-group setting and tour a childcare program.

The Path Ahead
The path ahead is not going to be easy, but we are determined to improve the childcare crisis. By convening leaders from around the nation we will elevate childcare as the critical workforce development strategy that it is. Together, we will generate new policy ideas about childcare barriers limiting women’s entrepreneurial risk taking and make recommendations to elected officials, business, and community leaders for solutions that increase access to childcare.

If you’d like to join the cause, become a Changemaker today. Monthly donors fuel our research and advocacy efforts. Be a part of our innovative and nonpartisan plan to solve the childcare crisis. 

Presentation Tips with Carolyn Buck Luce

Carolyn Buck Luce is the Founder of Imaginal Labs, an organization dedicated to helping business owners find their power to connect it to a larger purpose within their business and themselves.

In this short audio vignette, Carolyn discusses using your power and purpose and communicating it through how you present.

Tune in to hear:

-       How to find your power and purpose

-       How to authentically show up

-       How to be present and get out of your head when presenting

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here. 

Lobbying Your Elected Official with Jaclyn Tacoronte

Jaclyn Tacoronte is the CEO and owner of JMT Media in New York City.

In this short audio vignette, Jaclyn talks about her journey of discovering her identity and culture, and how she lobbied her elected officials to pass legislation to change the term minorities to also include Native Americans.

Tune in to hear Jaclyn’s journey as a business owner, and her tips for other business owners, and er process for lobbying her elected official to make meaningful change.

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here. 

Donor Feature: Rachel Hack Merlo

“I was glad my co-workers were able to attend We Work for Change to experience why I think United WE is such a good investment,” said Rachel Hack Merlo, Head of Government and Community Affairs – Central Region at Google Fiber. “And to hear Mara Liasson, who’s such an accomplished journalist, echo back United WE’s research really says a lot about the work being done by the organization.”

You likely have met or seen Rachel Hack Merlo in the Kansas City community as she has worked with countless organizations across Kansas City and in other markets in her 12 years at Google Fiber. They have focused on expanding digital equity through increased internet access, access to reliable devices, and access to meaningful training opportunities.

“I have witnessed firsthand women starting businesses online and completing online education programs,” said Hack Merlo. “Google Fiber is also a workplace that encourages women advancing in leadership and career approaches.”

“As a Latina professional, I believe United WE presents opportunities for engagement with key influencers representing different facets of economic and civic investment. I hope to use my engagement to make sure our voice is heard in the many efforts of United WE.”

After following our work for a few years, Hack Merlo personally became a United WE Trailblazer because she was fired up about the growing scarceness women in Kansas and Missouri are experiencing when it comes to access of the most valued rights like pay equity, voting, healthcare, paid family leave and childcare.

“United WE cares about issues I care about,” said Hack Merlo. “The world can leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless at times. United WE presents an effective model to direct my energy and resources, plus meet other women who feel just as strongly about taking action.” 

She said that United WE has the head and heart to get things done so it’s easy to support so that together we can see progress.

As a mom to two young boys, she appreciates that United WE recognizes and stresses the importance of men as allies in helping to overcome barriers women face. “I am raising my boys to value kindness and respect toward all people, and to prioritize taking action when they are in a position to do so, and it matters to me that they know women are equal partners in economic and civic leadership.”

And make no mistake, it will take all of us –women, men, corporations, organizations, government officials –to transform gender equity and create necessary change. It’s time to get to work.    

Please consider supporting the work of United WE. Along with support from great corporations like Google Fiber, we also need contributions of support from individuals to ensure we can continue to advance gender equity.

Listening for Change

I am pleased to share that We Work for Change 2023 was nothing short of incredible! Thanks to our event leadership, sponsors, team, volunteer board members, and more than 1,100 attendees, we raised $$708,282  to fuel our mission. Every year, I am humbled and grateful for the community that shows up to help further our work of gender equity. 

 I’d like to give a special thank you to Bank of America for their ongoing support. This year marks their sixth year as presenting sponsor of We Work for Change. 

If you attended the event, either virtual or in-person, you know that our theme was “United WE Listen.” As I think back over our work, I've had the honor to listen to countless women, and I’m convinced listening is the most important thing we can do to create change.

So…what does change sound like?

• Equal pay sounds like the jingling of extra coins in a pocket.

• Entrepreneurship is the sound of the clinking of glasses during the toast at a grand opening.

• Childcare is the laughter of children in a preschool, full of joy and potential.

• Occupational licensing is the sound of a key, unlocking the door to a new home or office.

• Paid family leave is a sigh of relief, knowing that you can take time off to care for your loved one, and still have a job when you return.

• Civic engagement is the confident voice of a woman swearing to protect our United States Constitution.

And then there's the cheering of thousands of voices for the Kansas City Current, united in the first soccer stadium built for women in the world.  Can you hear it? This is the sound of our work, your work, and the work of research, solutions, and results. 

Many of you heard me announce our newest endeavor at the event - the United WE Institute.

Building off years of robust research, the United WE Institute will be a first-of-its-kind centralized hub for our research and policy work across the Midwest and beyond. Convening important regional and national conversations, The Institute will elevate the voices of women, and advance non-partisan policies. Like so many of our initiatives, the United WE Institute will serve as a model for the rest of the country. 

I want to mention one more thing about the sound of change – change is sometimes confrontational, and uncomfortable. In my mind, it sounds like a healthy, respectful debate and civil discourse. These are opportunities to listen, so we can better understand each other, and our issues, and find common ground. We don't have to like everything we hear, and we don't always have to agree. But we cannot tune out, because if we do - we lose the chance to solve any issues for women and their families… including the ones on which we already agree.

At We Work for Change, we heard from a number of leaders who are working for change… including our special guest Mara Liasson, someone who has dedicated her career to listening, storytelling, and amplifying the voices of others. It’s through these stories that we can truly understand issues, and craft solutions together. 

I challenge each and every one of you to listen with your ears, your brains, and your hearts. Be open to connecting with the words and feelings that others here convey. When something resonates or strikes a chord, let it inspire you to learn more, engage more, and consistently work for change.  And, of course, make a donation.

United WE Listen is not just a theme; it's a call to action. It's a reminder that change is not a distant echo but a tangible reality that gets closer with every footstep of reconsideration and new perspectives.

As we move forward, let's do so with a shared commitment to listen, empathize, and act. Let the sound of change be our guide, our motivation, and our constant reminder that united, we are stronger.

Gratefully,

Finding the Right Mentor with Tiffany Dufu

Tiffany Dufu is the founder and CEO of The Cru, a mentorship matching program that helps women meet one another and collaborate to meet their goals. 

 In this short audio vignette, Tiffany talks about the power of mentorship and tips for finding the right mentor for you. 

 Tune in to hear:

• Tiffany’s definition of mentorship 

• Her sure fire way of recruiting a mentor

• The one tip a mentor gave that changed the trajectory of her life

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here. 

Taking the First Step in Your Civic Journey with Sarah White

Sarah White is a restauranteur and civic leader. She manages multiple restaurants in Virginia and recently ran for State Delegate.

In this short audio vignette, Sarah share the key strategies for building confidence to make change in your community. She discussed her journey from a small town to running for a state position. 

She talks about the importance of:

• Surrounding yourself with people who have already done what you want to do 

• Never letting the “Boys Club” stop you 

• Being the one to step up to do something 

• Understanding the sweet spot that is the overlap between business and personal 

• Finding something you are passionate about

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here.

Donor Feature: Jamie Eaton

After spending 16 years in Washington D.C., Jamie Eaton, was particularly interested to hear that Mara Liasson would be coming in September to Kansas City as a keynote speaker for We Work for Change: United WE Listen.

“Mara is a respected leader with a pulse on the political scene, which has always been an interest of mine, and with the impending 2024 election, it is important that women are engaged,” said Eaton.

In fact, Eaton made the decision to purchase a sponsorship as an individual because it was not only an opportunity to attend a powerful event live and be surrounded by like-minded individuals, but it allowed participation as a Trailblazer as well.

“Becoming a Trailblazer had been on my mind since last summer after attending a KC Current reception that was very inspiring. The opportunity to join others who believe in reaching gender equity and expand my connections is enticing,” said Eaton. “In thinking about how to distribute my charitable dollars, sponsorship allows me to attend an amazing event and remain engaged throughout the year with the important work of United WE.”

Eaton first became engaged with United WE during Covid when she heard about the Appointments Project® while scrolling social media. She immediately signed up with the network and began her civic journey by learning about the many board opportunities to serve in her community. She believes strongly that women must learn to use their voice and speak up.

“When I was working in national security, I was often one of few women in the room, but we had a job to get done so you had to be confident and share your intel and perspective. I quickly learned you must advocate for yourself because no one else will.”

Eaton believes that what United WE is doing on all fronts, especially in encouraging and teaching women to be unintimated at the table, is key to transforming women’s equity.

She said that the Appointments Project and the webinars held are key to igniting this effort. Eaton has also taken advantage of other United WE live events like the Women in Politics Townhall Event in July held with American Public Square as well as past We Work for Change. She enjoys the various opportunities offered by United WE to connect with other like-minded individuals, especially others who care about their community as much as she does. She is a compassionate and caring community member who wants to make a difference and hopes to inspire others to join her.  

“You can’t think things aren’t going to affect you. Because they are. Eventually,” said Eaton. “Women need the opportunity to be leaders and to be around the decision tables. I believe women can fix our world, if given the opportunity.”

Join us on Sept. 26 to LISTEN to Mara Liasson. Sponsorships are still available at https://united-we.org/wwfc2023.    

Civic Boards and Commissions Lack Data, Research, Gender Parity, Racial Diversity and Interest

About the Author: Dr. Anita Manion is Assistant Professor of Political Science and an Affiliate Faculty Member in Gender Studies at University of Missouri–St. Louis. Along with Dr. Sapna Varkey, Dr. David Kimball and Jake Shaw, Dr. Manion conducted research on gender parity and racial diversity across boards and commissions in Missouri municipalities. Read the findings in our Gender Parity on Civic Boards and Commissions in Missouri Research Report. 

Over the last year, I had the opportunity to study municipalities across Missouri. In partnership with United WE and my research associates, our task was to understand gender parity and racial diversity —or lack thereof — on civic boards and commissions. Together, we produced the Gender Parity on Civic Boards and Commissions in Missouri Research Report. This project in itself is unique as there are very few studies examining boards and commissions. 

Lack of Research

As my co-researcher and colleague Dr. Sapna Varkey has said, “I remain surprised by the fact that researchers and public and private entities are not interested in collecting data and understanding how under-representation plays out. I have even heard some researchers say, ‘We know white men are in power, what’s the point in documenting it.’ Without effort to understand what’s going on, it will be difficult to change the status quo.”

Jake Shaw, another co-researcher said, “I remain shocked by how unavailable data on municipal boards and commissions remain across Missouri. The fact that many Missourians are unable to easily see what boards and commissions serve their community, much less who serves on them, perpetuates a cycle of disproportionate representation for women and racial and ethnic minorities. How can residents be well represented if they don’t even know a board or commission exists?”

Although we might have had a hunch that there was not equitable representation on boards and commissions, we now have the data to talk to Missouri decision makers and community members to make change. 

Lack of Gender Parity and Racial Diversity

It’s true. Our research reveals a lack of gender parity on civic boards and commissions. In fact, only 36.9% of board and commission seats are filled by women. My co-researcher and colleague Dr. David Kimball says, "This is yet another domain of public service where women are underrepresented.”

That was not shocking to us, but we were surprised to see which municipalities’ gender parity lacked the most. Municipalities with populations of under 3,000 are closer to gender parity on their boards and commissions than more populous municipalities. We expected that bigger cities with larger populations to recruit from would be able to achieve higher levels of gender equity — but that did not prove to be true.

Beyond gender representation, I also wanted to dig deeper to see what representation looked like by race as well as the intersection of race and gender. Examining the disparity on stereotypically masculine ‘power boards’ as well as stereotypically feminine boards was also important to me, and an area with a lot of opportunity for improvement. When we look at the overall numbers, board members are not representative of the population, but when it comes to power boards that are particularly influential and wield financial resources, there are even fewer women, and we find that they are overwhelmingly composed of white members. This presents an opportunity for elected officials to be intentional about diversifying the power boards and commissions in particular. 

What Now? 

There is a lack of research and a lack of gender parity and racial diversity across Missouri boards and commissions. Is that due to a lack of interest? Perhaps. I believe it’s more likely that it is due to a lack of awareness.

I encourage Missouri municipalities to review this report and begin working towards change. United WE will be sharing the data at the Missouri Municipalities League Annual Conference in September.

The level of response that we have already seen from women in various communities gives me hope that this research can make a real-world impact on improving gender and racial parity on boards and commissions. We had great conversations with women in Springfield, Missouri, when we previewed the research, and I look forward to continuing those discussions in other communities. I am even feeling inspired to look into serving on a board or commission myself!

Like the women who came before us, we need to continue to identify where these disparities exist and to make the effort to step up and serve, and to encourage and support other women and people of color to serve. Our communities are better when we have diverse voices at the tables of power.

If you aren’t able to serve at this time, maybe you have a friend, colleague, or family member who would be a good fit to serve on a board or commission. Encourage them to apply! This is our chance to help shape the way our communities function. 

Start your civic leadership journey today by joining United WE’s Appointments Project®. 

Negotiating Tips with Katie Nelson

Katie Nelson, aka, “The Sales Catalyst” is an expert sales coach and speaker. Her tips will help you feel more confident while navigating a negotiation.

In this audio vignette, Katie remind us that we have been negotiating our whole lives, whether we realize it or not. She breaks down the skillset into two simple parts: “You” and “Them”.

Katie is owner and creator of Sales Uprising, a business consulting firm with a mission to bring th fun back into sales. 

Listen now to hear:

• How to feel safe during negotiations

• The importance of the word “no” during negotiations

• Recognizing a good deal 

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here.

Executive Presence with Audra Christie

Audra Christie is the founder and CEO of Mindset Change Coaching. She specializes in helping newly appointed leaders transition into their first C-Suite position, and helps leaders claim their Executive Presence.

In this short audio vignette, Audra explains a concept we all may be aware of, but have never put a name to: Executive Presence. Many leaders think they have Executive Presence but wonder why they’re invisible within their company. As a result, you get passed up for promotion over and over again.

Listen now to hear:

• What executive presence is and why it is important as a leader

• Exercises on how to determine if you have executive presence and how to shift our mindsets to have executive presence

• How to position ourselves as leaders in any room we walk into

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here.

Coming Together to Get More Women in Appointed and Elected Positions

We can all agree some things are just meant to be together. For instance, a few of my favorites include:

Peanut butter & jelly…

Barbie & her male ally Ken…

Movies & popcorn… 

Women & Civic Leadership.

There are certain combinations whose value is greater than the sum of their parts. When we all work together and embrace partnerships, the resulting impact is powerful.

This is certainly the case for our partnership with American Public Square. Together, we hosted a town hall-style discussion about today’s political climate and how it impacts women’s decisions to engage in civic leadership. The event had more than 120 women and men registered and was moderated by Missouri State Representatives Jamie Johnson and Patty Lewis, and Kansas State Representative Laura Williams.

Did you know? Many women view the current political climate as a major barrier to running for office and engaging in civic leadership. Let me repeat that…public discourse is deterring many women from putting themselves out there for public office.

During the town hall, we listened as participants talked through barriers that keep women from wanting to get involved. Examples included ageism, self-selection, poor representation, and campaign attacks.

However, the conversation also included stories of resilience and hope.

(left to right: MO Representative Patty Lewis, MO Representative Jamie Johnson, KS Representative Laura Williams)

-          “I didn’t see a ton of young people getting involved in politics. I didn't see myself getting into politics. But when I opened a small business and I realized that the government can work hand-in-hand with your business or stifle progress, I wanted to be able to help.” – Kansas State Representative Laura Williams

-          “If we can encourage more people to run from different backgrounds, we can all bring a different perspective to the table.” – Missouri State Representative Patty Lewis

-          “It doesn’t matter what you choose, politics will choose you if it wants to and if you’re open to it.” – Missouri State Representative Jamie Johnson

Our research tells us that women have an interest in civic leadership and are qualified, but we need to help support them, prepare them, and ask them to serve. Women are more successful when they have a mentor while running for office.

This event was powerful and inspirational. There was an electric charge in the room that ignited the group and encouraged women from all backgrounds to get involved. That spark is what we need to light a fire to motivate women to run for office or serve in appointed civic leadership positions.

But, how can we spread that flame far and wide?

At We Work For Change on September 26th, we’re gathering hundreds of women and allies across the country to hear one of the nation’s most high-profile and truth seeking political journalists, Mara Liasson, to talk about the important role media, politics and civil discourse play in our lives. Mara will share her extensive knowledge of politics, current events, and her experience as a woman leader in the media.

We Work For Change is an event worth traveling to Kansas City for. Let’s continue the conversation to get more women in appointed and elected positions while also embracing the power of partnership.

I’ll see you there.

Intern Highlight: Jamie Schenck

Jamie Schenck is a summer policy intern with United WE and a rising junior at William Jewell College. She is studying Political Science and International Relations and is a member of the Honors College of Critical Thinking. Her extracurricular involvement includes the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, the William Jewell Dance Team, the Jewell Democrats, and Student Senate. She is a passionate learner and loves being involved in her school community.

As a woman who’s been interested in politics for as long as I can remember, I wanted to intern with United WE to encourage more women like me to get involved in civic leadership. I was raised in a family that told me I could achieve absolutely anything I put my mind to, including running for office if that happens to be in my future.

However, as I’ve entered spaces with more women that have the same interests and experience as me, I’ve noticed that this mindset is rare. So many women who have the potential to run for elected positions in their community, or at the state and county levels don’t think about it as a possibility. And this may not be due to anyone discouraging them or any kind of outward misogyny they’ve faced. In fact, I’m sure that many of my peers, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have never heard that they are qualified and have the ability to serve.

United WE’s work doesn’t just encourage women to run for office, but supplies them with the tools they need to succeed while actively fighting against the roadblocks that hold them back. I’m inspired by this effort and hope to one day live in a society where women from both sides of the aisle don’t doubt their abilities when considering leadership positions.

My Experience

In mid-July, I joined United WE in Kansas City for their Women in Politics Town Hall event with American Public Square. I’ve interned with American Public Square in the past, so this event was a “worlds collide” moment for me, and I had the best time meeting the United WE staff in person and seeing the APS staff once again.

The event focused on how civil discourse holds women back from running for elected positions, and the panel included three state representatives. It was such an inspiring evening. We had great conversations, laughs, and food–my favorite things!

The next day, I stayed in Kansas City, worked in United WE’s office, and had a chance to tag along with Melinda Ward, United WE’s Executive Coordinator, for her meetings and lunch. We had a great time, and I was sad to leave. This was my favorite experience with United WE so far!

Through my internship, I feel like I’m learning vital skills to help me succeed in my future career. I’m not exactly sure what I’d like to do after graduation, so I’ve been diversifying my resume with different experiences.

No matter where I end up, I’m certain that the lessons I’ve learned with United WE will be well worthwhile. I’ve improved my experience in communication, graphic design, and event planning. Most importantly, I’ve learned that change is more than possible, it’s within our reach.

I’ve been consistently inspired by the women of United WE who work tirelessly to improve opportunities for women and their families throughout our nation. The coalitions and boards who work together across party lines to transform elections prove that progress is coming. I am honored to be a part of this organization and have the chance to support its mission.

Honoring and Celebrating Juneteenth By Carrying The Torch of Change

About the author: Lauren Allen is an attorney and serves as General Counsel of a government agency located in Kansas City. Lauren Allen stepped up to serve her community as a participant in United WE’s Appointments Project®. Lauren was appointed to the Board of Trustees of City Trusts in Kansas City, Missouri in 2018. She is a graduate of Philander Smith College with a degree in English Literature and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law. She also holds a Masters of Law (LL.M) from American University Washington College of Law.

Juneteenth holds great significance for me as a Black woman. 

It represents the liberation of enslaved African Americans and symbolizes the ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate our resilience, honor our ancestors, and acknowledge the contributions of Black people throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of representation and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. 

On Juneteenth, I especially acknowledge the many Black women who are breaking barriers each and every day. I work to inspire others to step up and serve by highlighting the achievements of Black women leaders, sharing stories of empowerment and resilience, and fostering inclusive spaces where diverse voices are heard and valued.

My Story

You might wonder why I’m so passionate about being civically involved. Let me start at the beginning. My civic board journey began with United WE’s Appointments Project® in 2017. I attended We Work For Change in 2017 and left inspired to get more involved – so I did. 

My journey has been an incredibly rewarding and transformative experience. It has allowed me to actively engage with my community, advocate for important cases, and contribute to positive change. Working with various organizations, I have had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn diverse perspectives, and make a tangible impact on issues that matter to me. 

It has been a continuous learning process, filled with challenges, including the closing of one organization that I chaired, and successes, but ultimately it has deepened my understanding of the importance of active citizenship.

Lean On Your Village

I’ve been asked how I manage juggling significant responsibilities at work and home in addition to my appointed endeavors. I could give you a well-crafted and deeply enriched response, but I’m going to be real and honest. 

The answer is: my mama, my daddy, my grandmother, and my grandfather. This is the village – the tribe that society talks about. They continue to show up for me in ways that are unmatched. 

I am an educated woman, running a legal department, and raising a daughter alone. The only way that I can continue to dominate at work while adding boards and other professional endeavors to my resume, is because of them.

It is never too late to get involved and make a difference. 

I’d like to offer the following advice to women who want to be active in their communities but don’t know where to start:

• Embrace your unique experiences and perspectives. The richness of your life journey can bring valuable insights to any civic engagement.

• Start small and build momentum. Begin by identifying an area of interest; then find a local organization or initiative where you can contribute your skills and passions.

• Seek mentorship and connect with like-minded individuals. Engaging with established community leaders can provide guidance, support, and opportunities for growth.

• Focus on continuous learning and self-improvement. Take advantage of educational resources, workshops, and training programs to enhance your knowledge and skills.

• Remember that every contribution matters. Whether big or small, your efforts can have a meaningful impact on individuals.

Carry the Torch of Change

As we honor and celebrate Juneteenth this month and into the future, I ask that if you are a Black woman, to take your seat at the civic leadership table. If you are an ally or sponsor, encourage Black women to take a seat at the civic leadership table by joining the Appointments Project®. This is a powerful way to support and empower others in their personal and civic journey. It is an incredibly fulfilling opportunity to grow, overcome challenges, and ensure our boards and commissions are representative of the communities they serve. 

It is imperative that we pass along the value of civic engagement to the next generation of women who will carry the torch of change. Join me! 

Donor Feature: Dr. Regina Nouhan

Regina Nouhan, M.D., is a vibrant and active community advocate who believes worthy work takes the collective effort of a civic-minded group of people. It’s one of the many reasons she supports United WE as a Changemaker.

“Hearing the mission of United WE, it sounds like a daunting feat to accomplish. I respect the passion and tenacity of the many individuals who have worked there and contributed over the years, including the founders who laid the building blocks to be able to tackle the relevant issues today. Change doesn’t happen from just one person. It takes all of us over time.”

Regina heard about United WE many years ago and was re-introduced at a social engagement a few years ago. She was struck by how closely the work aligned with her true being, and she knew instantly that she wanted to financially support the organization as a monthly donor.

“I’m a scientist at heart and I am impressed with United’s WE approach of using data to translate into real change,” Nouhan said. “United WE’s focus on the depth and use of research is what sets them apart. The recognition of its importance is underestimated. Numbers speak.” 

Nouhan’s scientific background includes a successful 25-year career as a surgeon in cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, hand & microsurgery, and skin care. She retired before the pandemic to pursue other passions in her life, including starting her own podcast, Plastic Surgery Decoded, which draws on her background and love for people. She also supports ArtMoves, a platform that introduces and highlights local artists, especially those most marginalized.

Nouhan believes transforming women’s equity will require respect and acknowledgement of women by everyone – both men and women alike. Celebrating the achievements of women and finding common ground is needed to see growth and progress.

“United WE’s genuine stance and practice as a non-partisan organization is important to gathering and creating change together. As a community, we have become so reactionary and divided on every issue that the key is discovering what brings us together.”

Nouhan has found a way to balance all the joys in her life. You can find her mentoring young women, serving the arts community, listening to KCUR, preparing meals at Thelma’s Kitchen, or hosting a podcast – all while continuing to support United WE and advocating for women everywhere.

You too can make an impact on the advancement of issues impacting women by becoming a Changemaker. Sign up for a monthly gift today and you join an elite group of individuals who are creating change.

Don’t Make Decisions About Me - Without Me

I often speak about the importance of listening and its role in our mission. From individual conversations with women to large town hall sessions, we are constantly looking for ways to give women a voice on the economic issues that impact them most. 

That’s why I am excited to welcome Mara Liasson as our 2023 We Work for Change keynote speaker. Mara is a national political correspondent for NPR, providing extensive coverage of policy from Washington, DC. She has covered eight presidential elections — from 1992 to 2020. Mara can be heard regularly on NPR’s award-winning news programs, Morning Edition and All Things Considered. She is a three-time winner of the White House Correspondents' Association's Merriman Smith Award for daily news coverage.

Mara’s leadership represents our work in many ways, including the power of listening and storytelling in a nonpartisan manner. 

One statement I will always remember came from a woman at our Topeka, Kansas town hall. She said, “Don’t make decisions about me - without me.” This sentiment brings together how listening can challenge our assumptions and truly dive into the truth about what is causing barriers for women. It also invites civil discourse, which is having respectful conversations about opposing sides of an issue to promote mutual understanding. 

As a nonpartisan organization, we have evolved - and are deeply committed to evolving - policies in the middle of the nation. Not unlike journalism, we seek facts and true stories to communicate innovative solutions to economic barriers holding women back. Blending qualitative and quantitative data has proven to be most effective for policy change. While politics continue to create division among our communities, we believe in setting differences aside to find a shared path forward with a vision to make systemic progress for all women. This is the power and distinction of United WE’s network. Thank you for being a part of it. 

I look forward to hearing Mara Liasson’s philosophy on the power of nonpartisanship and its role in today’s political world, as well as her passion for storytelling on September 26th. I hope you will join us!

Sincerely, 

Wendy Doyle

P.S. I am confident We Work for Change 2023 is going to be another spectacular opportunity to engage in our mission and connect with the United WE network. Event sponsorship opportunities are available now. To view sponsorship opportunities or to become a sponsor, visit https://united-we.org/wwfc2023.  

Donor Feature: Corbett Cutts

As one of 13 Breakfast Champion male allies for the upcoming 2023 Champion Breakfast, Corbett Cutts is proud to be an Ambassador for our mission, and believes discovering the intersection of awareness and action is essential to transform equity for women.

“Well researched information is key to helping people become aware of their privilege, but to truly transform women’s equity, that information needs to also find a way to be put into action.”

Originally from Sacramento, he moved to Kansas City five years ago and initially got involved with United WE to give back to the community in an area that aligned with his personal and professional interests.

“I have three amazing daughters and am conscious that they will face a variety of challenges ahead. As their father, I want to be an advocate for them – which means I need to first learn what those issues may be; and second, find ways to help promote change to address those issues. United WE has provided me an opportunity to do both.”

Corbett has spent the majority of his career with State Street and was excited to learn that State Street Professional Women’s Network had previously supported United WE. “When I realized that, I felt fortunate to partner with them to increase the depth and breadth of our support – both through raising awareness and financially as a sponsor at the Champions Breakfast.”

“I have genuinely enjoyed being a United WE Ambassador and have learned so much from the experience. Through that experience I wanted to find additional ways to put that knowledge into practice and the Champions breakfast provided that opportunity as I was able to share the mission of United WE with my professional network and extend an invitation for them to join me at this unique and fun event.”

In addition, Corbett’s background in education and service as an adjunct professor for over 10 years generated admiration for United WE’s approach that leads with research as the guide force. “When I learned of the great work underway at United WE to close the gender wage gap and increase the representation of women on boards and in elected positions through academic research, I knew that their method aligned well with how I personally approach solving problems.”

Thank you Corbett for taking action and making more individuals aware of the changes needed to improve gender equity! Join us virtually for the Champion Breakfast on April 28 or become an Ambassador today!

Allyship and Moving The Ball Down The Field

You have likely heard me say that it will take both women AND men working together to advance gender equity. Each spring, United WE hosts our Champion Breakfast with business leaders, elected officials and community leaders, and I am reminded of the importance of collaboration and the power of male allyship. 

Each year, I am awestruck at the number of champions in the room, those tuning in from a distance, and those rooting us on while watching the post-event recording.

You may be wondering…what does it mean to be a champion?

It means using your talents, resources, and influence to economically empower women. It’s everything from being a supportive parent, coach, or manager who empowers a girl or a woman in your life – to using your influence in your company to make policy changes that empower many women at a time.

We work with partners, male allies, and champions to develop and advance solutions and results. To highlight a few:

• Kansas City Councilman Kevin O’Neill utilized our town hall research to recently pass legislation to extend paid parental leave for Kansas City, Missouri, employees from 6 to 12 weeks upon the birth or adoption of a child. He also passed legislation creating a formal paid family leave policy allowing employees two weeks of paid leave to care for an immediate family member.

• Using our Status of Women in Missouri research that showed women are paid an average 82 cents to the dollar men make, Jackson County, Missouri Executive Frank White, Jr. worked to ban salary history questions on employment applications in Jackson County to help level the playing field.

• Bank of America’s CEO Brian Moynihan and Kansas City Market President Matt Linski championed family-friendly corporate policies like 16 weeks of paid family leave and childcare reimbursement of $240 per child, per month for every employee.

• Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe utilized our Missouri Town Hall research (which revealed childcare as the number one economic barrier for women) and created a Childcare Work Group, elevating the importance of childcare in Missouri’s budget and key tax credits.

• Former Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri Sly James piloted the Appointments Project® with us 9 years ago and when our research showed a gender gap on local boards and commissions. Together, and with the continued support of current Mayor Quinton Lucas, we have increased the representation of women on city boards and commissions from 32% to 51% and have grown the program to empower 189 women across the nation to secure a seat at the civic leadership table.

While these stories are intended to spotlight the power of male allyship, I want to emphasize that you don’t have to be the CEO of a bank or an elected official to be a champion. There is much to do, and so many ways to advance the ball.

Here are eight specific ways you can advance women today:

1. Mentor or sponsor a woman in your workplace or community 

2. Encourage a woman to sign up for the Appointments Project® and serve on a board or commission

3. Advocate for paid family leave at your company

4. Implement our Pay Equity Best Practices in your workplace, ensuring salary history bans and more

5. Advocate for childcare policies with your company and legislators

6. Become a United WE Trailblazer

7. Save the date for We Work for Change: September 26, 2023

8. Become an Ambassador because, united, WE can change our communities, and change the world

Tomorrow at our Champion Breakfast, I look forward to seeing many champions in the room – both women AND men moving that ball down the field. Our work for change is about the long game, and we need everyone working as a team. 

Together, let’s keep our eye on the ball because we can and will make a difference.

Fondly,
Wendy Doyle