Click on the link below to see the Fact Sheet from the KU study.
Women’s Foundation Research Fact Sheet
Study is step in getting more women on Kansas City boards, commissions
The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City will begin to step into the public policy arena with an effort to get more women on public boards and commissions.
The foundation planned to release results of a study on Monday evening that looked at barriers to women serving on public boards. The study, conducted by the University of Kansas, found that many women don’t believe they have the expertise needed, believe they won’t be asked to serve, and want support and training in order to effectively serve on public bodies.
Women’s Foundation CEO Wendy Doyle said the research is the first of its kind performed in the United States and could provide a template for research in other locations. The release of the research also will mark the beginning of an effort to work with Kansas City Mayor Sly James on identifying prospective board appointees and, ultimately, give women a stronger voice in policy decisions.
As part of an appointments project, the Women’s Foundation plans to accept applications from women interested in serving on Kansas City boards and commissions — and recruit candidates, Doyle said. The foundation then would forward slates of qualified candidates to the mayor to consider for appointments.
The Women’s Foundation raises money and makes grants to promote equity and opportunity for women and girls. The foundation, along with Central Exchange, is a partner in James’ Women’s Empowerment (WE) initiative.
Apr 21, 2014, 1:14pm CDT Kansas City Business Journal
For more information click here
A Celebration of Women Publication Reception
Celebrate a Special Woman in Your Life
View the 2013 A Celebration of Women Commemorative Journal!
The commemorative journal is published annually by the Women’s Foundation to recognize and celebrate area women and girls. Since 1993 it has included more than 2,300 tributes to remarkable women and girls. It offers a glimpse of the deeply important and enormously varied ways honorees affect their families, friends, community, and professions.
The book will be unveiled on May 12, 2014, at a reception hosted by Polsinelli at their Plaza Vista offices.
Click to view the Reception Invitation and Parking Information.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Cat at 913-831-0711 ext 23 or cat@womens-foundation.org
Appointments Project Training
Watch the Appointments Project video to:
- Learn about opportunities to serve on KC boards and commissions
- Hear from women who have held appointed positions
- Get more information on the application process
Questions? Email appointments@womens-foundation.org
or Apply Here
Kansas City Mayor and Women’s Foundation Reveal New Long-term Partnership and Groundbreaking Research
MISSION, KS, (April 16, 2014)
Our goal is to identify the needs of women in Kansas City and provide solutions for lasting systemic change. – Wendy Doyle, CEO, Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City
In support of this goal, the Women’s Foundation commissioned a research study, the first of its kind in the country, as a result of becoming a partner with Mayor Sly James’ Women’s Empowerment (WE) Initiative. The Mayor’s WE Initiative was recently launched to 1. increase the number of women in civic jobs 2. increase the number of women in high-ranking municipal government positions and 3.encourage women to join boards and commissions that affect everyday city life.
The commissioned research study was led by Dr. Barbara Kerr, a researcher and professor at the University of Kansas, with the following objectives 1.gain descriptive information about women’s attitudes towards civic engagement 2.compare responses at three levels of civic engagement and 3.draw themes from small groups. After three months of online surveys, focus groups, and analysis, the results highlight there are significant barriers that keep women from becoming involved in Kansas City boards and commissions.
The study’s results state that women are simply unaware that the opportunity exists to participate on Kansas City boards and commissions. The summary suggests that to encourage women to participate, the removal of small barriers like time and location of meetings, meeting management and the use of technology would encourage their participation.
“We also found barriers for working moms,” Doyle said. “Does the time of the day conflict with child care or school? What about the safety of the location?”
Complete research results and the announcement of a new long-term partnership between the Women’s Foundation and Mayor Sly James will be released Monday, April 21st at an invitation only reception and press conference held at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
“We are proud of the research and the actionable information that has already come from it. There’s been nothing like this done before in the country,” Doyle said.
Contact: Wendy Doyle, CEO 913-831-0711 x. 24 or wendy@wfgkc.org
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Press conference information: Monday, April 21, 2014 at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. *The venue is open to the press at 4:30 p.m.
About the Women’s Foundation of Kansas City
The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City is the result of the vision and hard work of two organizations: the Metropolitan Women’s Roundtable, a consortium of more than 20 local women’s organizations; and the Central Exchange, a professional women’s organization. Representatives of these two organizations began discussions in May 1989. The dream was a new foundation for women of all ages, created, supported and managed by women in Kansas City. The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City’s Mission is to bring together money, ideas and action to create lasting change for women and girls, their families and our community.