In my role, I have the honor of speaking with and listening to women regularly. I often hear stories of perseverance, strength and resilience from so many women who are facing challenges daily in our society and economy. These stories are what drive me to advocate for those women whose voices are not being heard.
In order to identify barriers, one must listen to concerns directly from those being impacted. We had the chance to sit down with hundreds of women in 2021 through our Missouri town halls, where we heard about the challenges they are facing such as childcare, eldercare, healthcare, paid family leave and broadband access.
In listening to these women, there was an unmistakable theme that women want to participate in the economy, but there are structural barriers keeping them from participating fully or succeeding. But even more shocking, was that we learned this was the FIRST time many of these women had been asked questions about these issues. This was the first time they were able to share their stories. The first time someone sat down to listen to them.
We heard stories such as:
Angela from Kansas City who had challenges with gaining the funding she needed from a bank to start up her bakery business.
"If my dad came in [to the bank] with the same information, he would have gotten a loan. I was a minority, a woman, and I was younger - I wasn't taken seriously."
A woman from Southwest Missouri who’s facing challenges with childcare.
“We are in a heavily industrial area, second shift childcare is non-existent. There are unfortunate choices being made. There are several organizations that have tried with grants and task forces. It continues to be an issue.”
A rural town hall participant who struggles to get broadband access at her home.
"We live in a rural area ... in order for us to obtain internet, we would have had to pay the construction cost, which was over $24K."
Women’s voices must be heard to help shape policy solutions and drive systemic change. We need to continue to provide opportunities for women to speak up, such as roundtable talks, small group discussions, listening sessions and surveys. We are excited to be conducting town halls throughout the State of Kansas in the summer of 2022 to hear firsthand from more women.
At United WE, we are not only listening, we are also taking action. The Missouri Town Halls Report has helped us inform policy priorities in Missouri and we plan to do the same with the Status of Women in Kansas Report which will be released on Feb. 2, 2022. Earlier this week, our Missouri Town Halls Report was leveraged by Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe at an important roundtable discussion on the state’s childcare needs. I am proud to be at this table and have United WE’s research informing the group. I will also have the opportunity to advocate in support of a childcare tax credit and financing during both Kansas and Missouri 2022 legislative sessions, sharing the learnings and stories I heard from women at our town halls.
We will continue to advocate for policy solutions that benefit women across our communities and work to drive real, lasting change in both Kansas and Missouri as we enter the new year. We will continue listening to women, hearing about the challenges they face each day, and advocating on their behalf. Because when women are included and heard, we have a more inclusive economy and we all win.
United We Listen,
Wendy
