As announced earlier this month, the Appointments Project® is partnering with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to increase the representation of women on boards and commissions.
In advance of the October 20 virtual training, Mayor Lucas joined the Appointments Project on the United WE rooftop for a press conference on October 19. Councilwoman Ryana-Parks Shaw, State Representative Barbara Washington and The Links, Inc. Jackson County Chapter President Tamara Clark Sykes also joined to discuss the importance and impact of increasing leadership representation in Kansas City. Thank you to our elected officials, and to our community partners Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, The Links, Inc., and Sisters Circle of Greater Kansas City.
Mayor Lucas announced during the conference that Kansas City has signed on with the National League of Cities Innovation Ecosystems initiative, supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, in effort to maintain gender parity on boards and commissions and make the city a national leader in this space.
“As one of six women on City Council, I know firsthand how important it is to have women at the decision-making table,” Councilwoman Parks-Shaw said. “We bring a unique set of experiences and perspectives that inform how we lead, making our contributions just as important, if not more, and impactful as our male counterparts.”
State Rep. Barbara Washington spoke on behalf of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and is a previous participant in the Appointments Project. As a result of this training, she ran for office and is continuing to do so. “In Kansas City, we have more women that open businesses than any other demographic,” Washington said. “We’re opening businesses, we’re paying taxes, we’re employing people, it’s time for us to also have a voice at the table.”
“As President of the Jackson County Missouri Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, I see firsthand the impact that the 50+ extraordinary women of our chapter have had and are having on our local community,” Tamara Clark Sykes said. “The Appointments Project is a tool that the Jackson County Chapter supports and champions to improve our influence and government.”
See a full recap of the press conference here.
More than 130 women joined the virtual training workshop on October 20. These free trainings provide valuable information to women who seek to apply for civic leadership positions and United WE helps them navigate the appointment process. We appreciate the time and efforts of our community leaders and partners to make this event a success, and look forward to elevating the appointments of more women in Kansas City.
