Amplify am·pli·fy
to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity)
I talk about listening often. Not because it’s something we should do, but because it’s something we must do. It is by far the most powerful yet overlooked way to make meaningful change. Making assumptions is one of the most harmful things we can do when leading a movement and taking action to improve lives. We must slow down, actively listen and amplify the voices we hear.
Our data shows that women don’t often get the opportunity to talk about economic issues. This does not sit right with me, so I have made listening a key step in our three-part formula for change. If you aren’t familiar with this formula, it’s incredibly simple, yet deeply effective:
Research
Solutions
Results
Last year we listened to hundreds of women in Missouri about their socioeconomic challenges. The Missouri Town Halls report provided a summary of our findings, identifying opportunities for impact to increase equity and grow Missouri’s economy through more women in the workforce. I’m grateful to the countless women who spoke with us. Thanks to these Missouri women’s voices, we are amplifying concerns and advocating for change, creating a model that can be replicated and scaled.
Now is a critical time for us to use this model as we examine the challenges for women in Kansas this year. As much as I would like it to, this doesn’t happen overnight - and before any solutions can be pursued, we must know absolutely everything we can about the issues women in Kansas are facing. At United WE, this does not include assumptions. Our actions are always rooted in facts and data.
For us, research is two-fold. First, we partner to conduct quantitative research that leads to comprehensive reports. Like this one by the University of Kansas. Next, we formalize our listening with qualitative research by meeting women where they are and creating safe spaces for honest conversations. This summer, I am eager to share that we are hosting a three-month traveling listening session called the Kansas Town Halls.
Research
Quantitative: Status of Women in Kansas
Qualitative: Kansas Town Halls
Solutions
Results
Our goal of the Kansas Town Halls is to embed those voices and experiences into the Solution phase of the formula, which is bipartisan policy reform. We’ll be asking questions to help reveal the greatest workplace and entrepreneurship barriers Kansas women are facing, including childcare, paid family leave, broadband access and more.
But, one of my favorite byproducts of the conversations is the validation the women feel. You are not alone. You are not the only one struggling with childcare. You are not the only one thinking about caring for aging parents as you fall asleep. While we are all different, many are all deeply impacted by the same issues. That’s why our work is nonpartisan and focused on all women. Regardless of political beliefs, we are all intimately connected by daily issues that need to - and can - be changed.
Today we see our work positively impacting hundreds of thousands of women and families. But our successes wouldn’t exist without direct input from the people whom we serve: women.
If you live in Kansas, learn more and RSVP for a Town Hall near you here.
Fondly,
Wendy D. Doyle
United WE President & CEO