Kansas City, MO – April 6, 2021 – United WE and Oklahoma City’s VEST today announce a collaborative effort to help increase the number of women on community-wide boards and commissions through the Appointments Project®. Started in 2014, the Appointments Project® has successfully placed more than 140 women on boards and commissions, including 28% women of color.
United WE’s Appointments Project® serves as a talent bank, advisor and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on civic boards and commissions. The award-winning approach guides women through the process of applying for these positions and facilitates applicants for appointment.
“Our research showed us that women don’t become civically engaged because they weren’t being asked. As a result, we created the Appointments Project® so local boards and commissions could reflect the communities they serve,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “With the support of the National League of Cities, we're excited to work with VEST and Mayor Holt to create opportunities for women to maximize their potential and lead their community.”
United WE is partnering with local, woman-owned business VEST to provide overview webinars. VEST is a curated network of influential women working together to expedite the pipeline and pathways for more women in positions of influence and power.
"Although women represent half of the U.S. population, labor force, and businesses, we are often underrepresented in rooms where decisions impacting our community are being made. I couldn't be more proud to partner with United WE to help support more women to be prepared to serve on Oklahoma City boards and commissions," said Erika Lucas, Co-Founder of VEST.
The effort is supported by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, whose office helped connect the partners.
“This partnership between Vest, United WE and the Appointments Project® will ensure our community has a pipeline of great civic leaders ready to serve, such as on City boards or commissions,” said Mayor Holt. “We’re always looking to increase the number of women - especially women of color - on our boards at City Hall, so I’m keenly interested in that aspect of this initiative. This partnership enhances those efforts and benefits the larger community.”
Based on a growing number of success stories, the pipeline of women leaders is growing rapidly across the country. The Appointments Project® fills a critical need in creating a pathway to work with elected officials and better community representation that leads to better lives for all.
Free public training events are planned for April 28, 2021, and May 13, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. CT
To learn more about the Appointments Project® and to sign up for the trainings, visit http://united-we.org/appointments-project.