JEFFERSON CITY – The City of Columbia is teaming up with the Women’s Foundation on an initiative to increase the number of women on publicly appointed boards and commissions. The city is participating in the Appointments Project, which aims to improve local governance by increasing gender diversity on civic boards and commissions.
“We created the Appointments Project to break down the barriers to women’s civic engagement, and the response has been overwhelming,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “We’re thrilled that Columbia has signed on to this initiative, joining dozens of communities across Missouri and Kansas that are demonstrating their commitment to equity, opportunity and good governance by participating in the Appointments Project. We thank Mayor Treece for his leadership and commitment to increasing diversity and empowering women at the local level.”
Columbia is among nearly two dozen state and local governments that are participating in the Appointments Project, which serves as a talent bank and resource for women interested in serving on a civic board or commission. Women’s Foundation launched the initiative in 2014 to break down barriers to women’s civic engagement. To date, more than 85 women have been appointed through the program.
“In Columbia, we’ve worked hard to ensure city government reflects the rich diversity of our community,” said Columbia Mayor Brian Treece. “We look forward to working with the Women’s Foundation to build on this progress and recruit even more women, and especially women of color, to serve in leadership roles.”