Data shows the number of women candidates in the 2018 primary elections has increased in Missouri, but decreased in Kansas since 2016
KANSAS CITY – Ahead of Tuesday’s primary elections – when 264 women will be on the ballot in Kansas and Missouri – the Women’s Foundation announced the appointment of four women in Kansas and Missouri to public boards and commissions, bringing the total number of women appointed through the organization’s Appointments Project® to 90. The Women’s Foundation celebrated the milestone with the appointments of Kaylee Peile, BreAnna Monk, Katherine Goad, and Monica Walker.
BreAnna Monk will be joining the Kansas Volunteer Commission. Kate Goad will be joining the Kansas Council on Travel and Tourism. Kaylee Peile will be joining the Kansas City History Preservation Board. And Monica Walker will be joining the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.
“This is a milestone for the Women's Foundation, and we couldn't have done it without the support of leaders, community members, and women across Kansas and Missouri who are diversifying and strengthening their communities," said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “I'm thrilled the Appointments Project® has given so many women the encouragement and tools they need to be successful.”
The Appointments Project® saw a 300% increase in the number of Appointments Project® locations in 2018, and the two dozen locations are now present in every congressional district of Kansas and Missouri.
Started in 2014, the Appointments Project® aims to remove barriers for women to serve on public boards and commissions so they are more reflective of the populations they serve. Based on a first-of-its-kind study that identified numerous barriers causing women to be underrepresented on public boards and commissions, the Appointments Project® serves as a talent bank and advisor for women seeking appointed positions in state and local government.
Women Candidates in Primary Elections
The Women’s Foundation also released an analysis showing that overall, there is a higher percentage of women running for Missouri offices in 2018 (25.02%) than 2016 (21.25%). However, in Kansas, both the total numbers of women running for office and the percentages of women running for office have decreased.
Women Candidates 2016Women Candidates 2018
Missouri102 (21.25%)162 (25.02%)
Kansas136 (27.59%)102 (25.75%)
The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy, and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.womens-foundation.org.
###