Program to Support Diverse Women in Identifying and Taking Next Steps In Civic Leadership Journeys
KANSAS CITY, MO – August 1, 2024 – United WE today announces the Kansas City Transformation Journey Groups, a new offering under the Appointments Project® generously funded by the Health Forward Foundation and supported by Oracle. Under this program, United WE will bring diverse women together to explore service on appointed boards and commissions.
The journey groups will convene Black, Latina, and rural women in the Kansas City region. Journey group programming will ensure women are equipped with the knowledge to confidently navigate the appointments process and serve effectively in a civic leadership position. These groups will also support participants in building a community of women with similar lived experiences and exploring the intersection of identity and civic engagement.
“United WE works to ensure all women are represented on local boards, not only as a matter of equality but also as a means to improve the quality and efficacy of decision-making,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “United WE supports women in launching their civic leadership journey and I’m delighted we are able to convene this type of experience for many diverse women in the Kansas City area.”
Kicking off in September 2024, the three journey groups will meet monthly through January 2025. A celebration event will be held in February 2025 and include participants from all journey groups.
“Health Forward Foundation supports and builds inclusive, powerful and healthy communities in the Kansas City region, and United WE’s journey groups will further mobilize women in our service area to learn and engage in civic leadership opportunities,” said McClain Bryant Macklin, VP of Policy and Impact at Health Forward Foundation. “We are proud to fund the journey groups to increase women’s civic leadership participation and engagement to advance their economic potential and achieve gender and racial equity.”
An Advisory Board was established to ensure the program meets the needs and expectations of diverse women and aligns with the overarching goals for the Appointments Project. Journey group applications are available now and will close on August 29, 2024 or when groups have reached capacity. Black, Latina and rural women in the Kansas City region interested in the program are encouraged to apply at www.united-we.org/apjourney.