I am in disbelief that we are already approaching the end of 2021. As I pause and reflect on the year so far I can’t help but acknowledge the hardships, the progress and the opportunities that lie ahead. Despite the heaviness in our world, I’m fueled by the thousands of lives United WE is impacting and the trail we are blazing for the future.
In our 30th year, our work is focused on creating meaningful change through strategic research and systems change initiatives. Though we continue to face uphill battles for gender equity, we have taken important steps forward.
Today I see that there is hope for women and families with recent advancements in occupational licensing policies like House Bill 2021. We are continually focused on striving for better support for veteran families. We are currently gathering real-time feedback from women across Missouri through our Town Halls initiative to better understand economic development gaps and opportunities. And throughout this year we’ve supported several new women appointees to leadership positions in their communities. I feel encouraged by these moments of dialogue and progress, and as we celebrate 30 years as an organization this year, I am optimistic about how we will continue to shape the future for women, their families, and the next generations of females.
Now is an important time for women in leadership throughout the country, with nine women serving as state governors. Historically, almost 40% of states have never had a female governor. My hope for the future? Not only will we see females holding leadership positions in all states, but we will have a national paid family leave policy that acknowledges working parents, and also see a female holding the top government position: President of the United States.
Image via Statista
I wrote earlier this year about the goals for the future of our organization as we celebrate 30 years of supporting women in our communities and throughout the country. In addition to occupational licensing, paid family leave, veterans, and women in civic leadership, we also plan to continue investing in research that shapes our initiatives, with a large statewide effort in Kansas beginning early next year. We’re also continuing our Legacy of Women initiative to honor trailblazing historical women in their communities.
And speaking of trailblazing women, I am immensely grateful to the women who came before our current United WE team to shape our organization over the past three decades. If you haven’t visited the new History page on our website, I encourage you to revisit our story, and view videos from some of our inspiring leaders including Past Board Chair Sherri Wattenbarger, Chair of the Board Joan Ruff, Advisory Board Member Debby Ballard, and Past Board Chair Linda Doolin Ward. These women inspire me with their grace, grit and passion for elevating women and girls, and I will continue doing my part to further the mission and success of our organization into the future.
I’d like to end by thanking the speakers, civic leaders, sponsors, and guests who joined us on September 29 at We Work for Change. We celebrated equity, diversity, representation, passion and 30 years as an organization. Stay tuned for a recap of this incredible event, and mark your calendar to join us in 2022.
United we will demolish today’s gendered barriers, opening up a more equitable and better world for all.
Kindly,
Wendy D. Doyle, President & CEO