New survey tool helps measure women’s participation in civil leadership

Barbara Kerr, the Williamson Family Distinguished Professor of Counseling Psychology in KU’s School of Education, developed the instrument with her research team as part of the WE Women’s Empowerment initiative enacted by Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Sly James to improve the number of women in civic leadership positions in the city. The project and underlying research is part of Kerr’s larger research goal of understanding how talent develops in women and what keeps them from reaching their full potential. “One of my missions has always been to help make the world more human-friendly by listening to what women want,” Kerr said.

She will speak about both the survey tool and helping individuals reach their potential at the Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference, which is Thursday, June 26, at the Edwards Campus. KU’s Public Management Center organized the conference.

To learn more about the study and Kerr’s mission Click Here.

 

Appointments Project Success!

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We are pleased to announce that Mayor Sly James has appointed Appointments Project applicant Cecelia M. Carter to the Employees Retirement Board of Trustees– the first significant step towards increasing the number and diversity of women in appointed positions.

Mayor James says, “Today’s appointment shows that the Women’s Empowerment Initiative is already achieving results.  I am extremely grateful to the Women’s Foundation for partnering with us to bring more women to the table serving on our boards and commissions.  Ms. Carter is precisely the type of leader we need to move our City forward.”

For more reading, check out Mary Sanchez’s column in the KC Star:  here.

Or for more information about the Appointments Project, click here.

 

Madeleine Albright to Speak at Women’s Foundation Luncheon

For our 22nd Annual Luncheon, we are very lucky to have Dr. Madeleine Albright as our guest speaker.  The former U.S. secretary of state, who was awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom in 2012, is to appear in Kansas City at our Dec. 5 luncheon. Tickets went on sale Monday.

To purchase tickets: click here

To read a great article by Diane Stafford of the KC Star:  click here

 

The Karen Herman Advocate for Women and Girls Award

The Karen Herman Advocate for Women and Girls Award is presented to a woman philanthropist that exemplifies exceptional leadership and who has served as a mentor, advocate, and change agent for the work of the Women’s Foundation.  If you have not had the opportunity to meet or get to know Karen Herman, she is one of the founders of the Women’s Foundation, served as the first Board President, and is a great advocate for women. Karen continues to be involved today and serves on the Women’s Foundation’s Advisory Council. Because there are so many deserving women, this year we are presenting two awards.

The first honoree we are recognizing posthumously – Julie Geis.
Julie was a scholar and a coach. She was a star athlete and student, and received her Ph.D in education from the University of Nebraska.  Throughout her professional life, she assumed global responsibilities and traveled extensively, but she never lost her strong sense of community and giving back to others. Julie was a warm, kind, and giving person. Julie was a founding member and president of Women With One Voice, a volunteer organization serving the health and educational needs of women and children in the Kansas City area.

Julie perished while on business in the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001 in New York City. To honor Julie and continue Julie’s passion for philanthropy, Women with One Voice raised and endowed “Julie’s Fund”, a $100,000 endowment, that has continued granting funds to women and girls’ organizations. “Julie’s Fund” is now administered by the Women’s Foundation.

The second honoree is a woman who has been a long-time supporter of the Women’s Foundation and currently serves as an Advisory Council member, Martha Humphrey’s. She had the vision 15 years ago to establish a fund at the Women’s Foundation to help educate our next generation of philanthropists targeting teen girls throughout Kansas City. She wanted young women to learn the importance of charitable giving and to make wise, strategic decisions with their funds. From her spirit and vision, she planted the seed that became the Rachel Alexandra Girls Grant Project.  The Women’s Foundation’s Girls Grant program teaches high school girls the tools of philanthropy, leadership and grant making by empowering them with a pool of funds to make grant allocations to nonprofit organizations that encourage girl’s leadership.  To date, more than 300 young women have graduated from this program.

These young women have completed high school, college and are now into careers, marriages and parenthood. They are indeed giving back as philanthropists and volunteers in order to make our communities thrive. To date, $180,000 has been allocated by the Girls Grant Project to 65 local agencies.  Fifteen years later, The Women’s Foundation continues to benefit from her generosity and dynamic vision. Her dream has come to fruition and the harvest is evidenced in the women who’ve participated in the program, the good work that has been done by the agencies who received the grants and the girls who have benefited from them.

Why working less may make us all more productive, balanced

In our current economy 50 to 70 hour work weeks are not uncommon.  However in a less manufacturing based economy where ideas and creativity are more important than time spent in the office, we may actually be doing ourselves a disservice.  This holds especially true for women who still maintain the bulk share of the household duties, and may find themselves withdrawing from the corporate world because it no longer gives them the freedom to have a life outside of work.

To learn more, check out the link below to an article by Christa Dubill of KSHB who talks further about the downsides to a long workweek, and what it could mean for both women and men.

Click Here

 

REbeL: A Local Peer Education Group Makes the National Stage

Its always nice when a local group is able to make national news with a positive message.  This morning the Today show featured three groups that are working to promote positive self image in young women, as well as address the prevalence of body dis morphia and eating disorders. One of these groups is Kansas City’s own REbeL.

REbeL is a peer education program, founded in 2008 by Laura Eickman, Psy.D., that aims to change the definition of beauty and health for individuals of all ages. REbeL was originally piloted as a student group at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kan., to promote an environment that would build self-esteem and confidence among youth, while combating disordered eating and body image issues that have become increasingly prevalent among young men and women. The organization has since grown into a not-for-profit, launching additional chapters in Kansas area high schools and recently extending their reach to middle schools, recognizing that combating body image issues begins at a young age. In addition to peer education, the organization also hosts the annual Walk to REbeL, along with numerous community events including parent education workshops and classroom presentations.

To see the story on the Today Show click here

To learn more about REbeL click here

Kansas City mayor promotes Women’s Empowerment initiative

Through the Women’s Empowerment Initiative, Kansas City is leading the way in helping women to find their place in local government positions.  With the support of Mayor Sly James, Kansas City is creating a road-map for other cities and organizations to follow.

To learn more, follow the link below to read an article by Diana Reese of the Washington Post.

Click Here