Women-led task force of entrepreneurs and civic and business leaders will conduct statewide town halls to study barriers to women’s economic participation in Kansas
United WE, a nonpartisan nonprofit with a mission to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership, is launching a Kansas Women’s Economic Development Task Force to study issues related to women’s participation and advancement in the workforce. A Town Hall Series will be hosted across Kansas this summer by United WE and the Task Force to identify barriers impacting women in the workplace and entrepreneurship, including childcare, paid family leave, broadband access, and more.
The strength of the Kansas economy and democracy depends upon women’s full participation. The McKinsey Global Institute found that Kansas could grow its economy by 10-15% by 2025 if women’s participation in the workforce increased.
“There are structural barriers that are preventing women – and in turn the state of Kansas – from realizing its potential,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “With support from our impressive women-led Task Force, this Town Hall Series is a sharing and listening opportunity for all women and allies across the state to unite and be heard. When women succeed economically, their families succeed, their communities succeed, and their state succeeds.”
The data collected via qualitative research during the Town Halls will culminate into a comprehensive report outlining the key barriers women in Kansas face toward economic and civic parity. The task force will also draw on existing research commissioned by United WE, including The Status of Women in Kansas research report. The Town Hall report will be released publicly in November 2022 and used to educate policymakers and influence change for women in Kansas.
The Task Force launched last week with a virtual meeting and includes 33 civic and business leaders and elected officials from across the state:
Alise Martiny, Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council
April Henry, Kansas Board of Regents
Brenda Bandy, Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
Senator Carolyn McGinn, Kansas State Senator
Cassie Bicknell, Mariner Wealth Advisors
Christina Long, Create Campaign
Dornella Leal, Kansas Association of Counties
Ebony Clemons-Ajibolade, Evergy
Emily Snyder, IBEW Local 124
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, Kansas People of Color
Glenda Washington, Greater Topeka Partnership
Hannah Larrick, Veterans United Home Loans
Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho, Idea Tek and Mayor of Hutchinson
Jessica Hunt, Patterson Family Foundation
Joni Cobb, Center for American Entrepreneurship
Joy Broils, Hustle & Ground
Julie Turnipseed, Anderson County Development Agency
Karyn Page, Envision, Inc.
Kathy Larson, Ash Grove Cement Company
Katie Whisman, Katie Whisman Consulting and Prairie Fire Strategies
Katrina Abraham, Cerner Corporation
Kelli Cobb, HC. Cattle Company
Lara Krug, Kansas City Chiefs
Lauren Driscoll, City of Salina
Lisse Regehr, Thrive Allen County
Molly Haase, AdventHealth
Nancy Daniels, Kansas Extension
Paula Landoll-Smith, Landoll Enterprises
Racquel Thiesen, Kansas Leadership Center
Councilwoman Sara Caylor, City of Ottawa and League of Kansas Municipalities
Shanna Adamic, Cerner Charitable Foundation
Sherriene Jones-Sontag, Kansas Chamber
Sierra Bonn, Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead!
With leadership from the Task Force and in strategic partnership with The League of Kansas Municipalities, six town hall discussions will take place from June to August 2022. Sessions are free, open to the public, and include moderated breakout sessions led by community leaders, local journalists, and business leaders. Complimentary professional childcare (ages 0+), lunch, and a $10 gift card for participation are provided. The Town Hall series is made possible through generous funding by the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation.
The following Town Halls are planned and open for registration:
SW Kansas (Garden City) – Wednesday, June 29: Register
SC Kansas (Wichita) – Thursday, July 14: Register
SE Kansas (Pittsburg) – Wednesday, August 3: Register
Statewide Virtual – Wednesday, August 24: Register
To learn more about United WE, the Task Force and Kansas town halls, visit www.united-we.org/townhalls.