KBIA: Why Elderly Women are More Likely to Live in Poverty

By Hope Kirwan, KBIA Feb 25, 2015

It’s generally known that women tend to live longer than men. But what’s less known is how the same longevity can be a  financial burden for women.

Last month, the Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the MU Institute of Public Policy released a report called Status of Women in Missouri. According to the report, women make up two-thirds of the Missourians aged 65 and older who are living in poverty.

“Their lives are much longer but then you couple that with the pay gap,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of the Women's Foundation.

On a national level, women typically make 78 cents for every dollar made by a man. In Missouri, the gap is even larger, with the average woman earning 71 cents for every dollar earned by men.

Doyle said this income disparity is one of the main reasons women are more likely to fall into poverty later in life...  Read and LISTEN to full story here. 

The Radio Dish Interview with Women's Foundation President and CEO, Wendy Doyle

Women's Foundation President and CEO, Wendy Doyle joined KMBZ's program The Radio Dish in January. In this short clip, show hosts, Mary McKenna and Darcie Blake investigate the Women's Foundation's role in creating meaningful change in the lives of women and their families.  

Women's Foundation Releases "Status of Women in Missouri" Report & Interactive Research Hub

Innovative hub combines local economic and social data in a single, easy-to-access online portal 

Kansas City, MO – The Women’s Foundation today released a new research report and interactive research hub to help policy makers solve challenges faced by Missouri women. 

“Although there is some good news for Missouri women, the data shows there is much work to be done to improve the lives of Missouri women and their families,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “The Women’s Foundation is committed to working for meaningful change, and we hope this research tool helps policy makers make informed decisions about important issues facing Missouri women and their families.”  

During a virtual press conference, the Women’s Foundation released a full research report on the Status of Women in Missouri and demonstrated some of the innovative capabilities of this new interactive research hub.  The hub’s functionality includes pulling regional and county-specific data and generating customizable maps.  

The interactive research hub, which is now publicly available can be accessed here: 

http://www.communitycommons.org/groups/womens-foundation/

“Before the Women’s Foundation spearheaded this project, comprehensive statewide information about women in Missouri was not available in a usable way, and it certainly was not interactive and local.  Now, through our collaboration with the Foundation, Missourians have a central research hub with a wide variety of data that’s accessible at any time and routinely updated,” said Jacqueline Schumacher, Policy Analyst at the University of Missouri’s Institute of Public Policy.

Findings from the research highlight areas of possible action to help women and their families better succeed.  Examples of statewide and regional findings include the following: 

ECONOMIC AND INCOME

• In Missouri, women who work full-time earn 29 percent less than male workers for the same work.  
• In Carroll County, women make only 51 percent of what men make. 

EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

• In Missouri, 27 percent of counties lack any accredited child care centers. 
• In the Bootheel area, 21.7 percent of women 25 years and older do not have a high school degree, compared to a statewide average of 11.7 percent and a national average of 13%. 

HEALTH CARE

• At least 650,000 Missourians are without health insurance. 
• Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women, and Missouri had an annual incidence rate of 122.6 per every 100,000 women in the state, which is similar to the national rate of 122.7 per every 100,000 women nationwide.

ECONOMIC SECURITY AND AGING

• In Missouri, two-thirds of seniors living in poverty are women. 
• High poverty rates are mainly concentrated in the larger urban areas of Missouri such as in St. Louis City where the poverty rate is 29 percent, but these high poverty rates also affect rural counties such as Benton, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede, and Polk which have a poverty rate of more than 23 percent. 

LEADERSHIP

• Although women comprise 51 percent of the state’s population, only 25 percent of seats in the General Assembly are held by women.
• No executive branch officeholders are women.

The extensive research project was commissioned by the Women’s Foundation and included focus groups conducted by market research firm Sounding House, a research study and analysis conducted by academic experts from the Institute of Public Policy in the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at The University of Missouri, and the interactive research hub hosted on the Community Commons platform.

The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women and girls, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change.  More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

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Betsy Lynch Appointed to Fairness in City Contracts Board

Ninth Woman Appointed since Launch of Women’s Foundation Appointments Project 

Kansas City, MO – Mayor Sly James today announced the appointment of Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Lynch to the Kansas City Fairness in City Contracts Board. The Women’s Foundation promoted Lynch through their Appointments Project, which has partnered with Mayor James to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.

“As an attorney and community leader, Betsy Lynch will provide great value to the Fairness in City Contracts Board and we were pleased to provide support to her through the appointments process,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation.  “Thanks again to Mayor James for his leadership in appointing Betsy Lynch and continuing to work to have boards and commissions reflect the population they serve.”

“I commend Betsy’s enthusiasm and commitment to service,” said Mayor Sly James. “She will certainly bring a great amount of experience and knowledge to the Fairness in City Contracts Board and I thank her for her commitment to Kansas City.”

Betsy Lynch is the owner of Lynch, Sharp & Associates, where she also is a practicing attorney.  In 2012 and 2013, Betsy was named “Best of the Bar” by the Kansas City Business Journal and was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine in 2013.  In the spring of 2014 she was honored as a Rising Star of Philanthropy by The Independent magazine and NonProfit Connect for her volunteer service in the Kansas City community. Betsy serves on the Council for the Young Lawyers Section of the Missouri Bar Association and the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Kansas City from 2011 to 2013.  She enjoys volunteering for several philanthropic organizations such as the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City.  Betsy earned her B.A. at Westminster College and her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

“It is an honor to be one of the first women appointed to a board position from the Appointments Project.  The Women’s Foundation made the appointment process very easy and matched me to the commission that most suited my background, interests, and area of expertise.  Women are really struggling to find representation in city and state government, and I’m glad we, as a community, are recognizing the problem and talking about it,” said Betsy Lynch.  “I’m also extremely proud that the Women’s Foundation is taking the extra step of DOING something about it.  It’s time for women to step forward!  If women are running our houses, our families, our children, our businesses - surely we can help run our governments.”

The Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead in Kansas City and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions.
  
Nine women have been named by Mayor James to leadership positions in Kansas City since the launch of the Appointments Project in the spring of 2014: 1) Cecelia Carter, Employees Retirement System; 2) Ajia Mignon, Land Bank Agency; 3) Amber Hackett, Parks and Recreation;  4) Darline Henrius, Youth Commission; 5) Estela Montserrat Espitia-Cuellar, Youth Commission; Janelle Bailey, Ethics Commission; 7) Sarah Martin-Anderson, Health Commission; 8) Mishelle Martinez, Land Bank; and Betsy Lynch, Fairness in City Contracts Board.
                                                      
The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women and girls, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change.  More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

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Dr. Madeleine K. Albright - Clip #2 from Women's Foundation Luncheon

Clip from Dr. Madeleine K. Albright's speech in Kansas City

The Women's Foundation was honored to host Dr. Madeleine K. Albright as the keynote speaker for their 22nd Annual Luncheon on December 5, 2014.  

Here is a clip from her inspiring remarks: 

NEWS: Mishelle Martinez Appointed to Kansas City Land Bank Board

Women’s Foundation Appointments Project Sees More Success in 2015

Kansas City, MO – Mayor Sly James today announced the appointment of Mishelle Martinez to the Kansas City Land Bank. The Women’s Foundation promoted Martinez through their Appointments Project, which has partnered with Mayor James to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.

“We’re very pleased to see Mishelle Martinez appointed to the Land Bank Board,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “Our partnership with Mayor James continues to promote more women into local leadership positions, and we look forward to many more successes in 2015.”

"Mishelle will be a great asset to the Kansas City Land Bank," said Mayor Sly James.  "I appreciate her for taking the initiative to become engaged and involved in her community and thank her for her willingness to serve."

Mishelle Martinez is a Polsinelli attorney who practices in the firm’s Construction, Energy and Real Estate Litigation Practice. Martinez earned both her J.D. and B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a member of the Missouri Bar and is fluent in Spanish.

“I’m deeply honored to be appointed to the Land Bank,” said Martinez. “Resolving issues of abandoned and blighted property is good for the overall success of the City and ultimately helps attract business and makes Kansas City a better place to work and live. I am sincerely grateful to the Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project for their dedication to getting women involved in the city’s leadership positions.”

The Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead in Kansas City and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions.
  
Eight women have been named by Mayor James to leadership positions in Kansas City since the launch of the Appointments Project in the spring of 2014: 1) Cecelia Carter, Employees Retirement System; 2) Ajia Mignon, Land Bank Agency; 3) Amber Hackett, Parks and Recreation;  4) Darline Henrius, Youth Commission; 5) Estela Montserrat Espitia-Cuellar, Youth Commission; Janelle Bailey, Ethics Commission; 7) Sarah Martin-Anderson, Health Commission; and 8) Mishelle Martinez, Land Bank. 
                                                      
The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women and girls, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change.  More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

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KC Star: Project to appoint women to Kansas City commissions and boards gains steam

By Diane Stafford, The Kansas City Star

Published December 23, 2014

The voices of seven women have been added to Kansas City commissions or boards since the April launch of the Appointments Project.

The joint effort of the Kansas City Women’s Foundation and Mayor Sly James is designed to change the results of a previous study showing that women accounted for only one-third of the members of Kansas City’s civic commissions and boards.

The mayor announced this week that he has appointed Janelle Bailey, an attorney, to the Kansas City Municipal Officials Ethics Commission and Sarah Martin-Anderson, a health administration professor, to the Kansas City Health Commission.

Women’s Foundation president and chief executive Wendy Doyle led the creation of the Appointments Project to recruit and make women more aware of the opportunities for civic service. The project, in turn, suggests candidates to the city.

STL Post-Dispatch EDITORIAL: Missouri is not a great place to be a woman

Published December 23, 2014, by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial Board

As Missouri becomes identified with low achievement — in health care for its poorest citizens, in educational attainment, in jobs and in many other areas — women are getting a raw deal.

A partnership between the Women’s Foundation and the University of Missouri’s Truman School of Public Affairs has released a study identifying some of the main problems confronting women in Missouri and offering suggestions for how to improve life for them and their families.

NEWS: Women's Foundation Appointments Project Helps Place Two More Women Onto Commissions

Janelle Bailey Appointed to Kansas City Ethics Commission; Sarah Martin-Anderson to Serve on Health Commission

Kansas City, MO – Mayor Sly James today announced the appointments of Janelle Bailey to the Kansas City Municipal Officials Ethics Commission and Sarah Martin-Anderson to the Kansas City Health Commission. The Women’s Foundation promoted both women through the Appointments Project, which launched in April based on their research conducted as part of the Mayor’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative to include more women in positions of leadership in city government.

"What a tremendous testament to equity and opportunity in Kansas City – two more outstanding women leaders appointed to commissions,” Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation, said. “The Appointments Project is working; and Janelle Bailey and Sarah Martin-Anderson are the latest examples of talented women who will who will serve Kansas City well.”

Mayor Sly James said, “Janelle Bailey will be a fine addition to the Kansas City Municipal Officials Ethics Commission; her experience in private law and as a prosecutor will be very valuable.I’m also happy to appoint Dr. Sarah Martin-Anderson, an expert in health public policy, to the Kansas City Health Commission. Both Ms. Bailey and Dr. Martin-Anderson have a passion for helping our city and we’re grateful for their willingness to serve.”

Janelle Bailey, appointee to the Kansas City Municipal Officials Ethics Commission, is an attorney with Armstrong Teasdale and specializes in Intellectual Property law. Prior to joining the firm, Janelle was in private practice at Shook, Hardy & Bacon. Before that, she served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Janelle Bailey 

“I’m honored to serve on the Ethics Commission and look forward to giving back to our community,” said Ms. Bailey. “Thanks to Mayor James for this opportunity, and also to the Women’s Foundation Appointments Project which was instrumental in helping me navigate the application process.” 

The newest appointee to the Kansas City Health Commission, Dr. Sarah Martin-Anderson, is an assistant professor of Health Administration at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Dr. Martin-Anderson received her Ph.D. in public policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. She also received a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Public Health degree (Epidemiology) from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Bakersfield. Her research concerns the social determinants of health inequalities, specifically as it pertains to early childhood, pregnancy and birth. 

Dr. Sarah Martin-Anderson

“I cannot thank the Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project enough for this opportunity. I have always felt called to public service, and the Appointments Project was the boost I needed to make that vision a reality,” said Dr. Martin-Anderson. “What brings me the most joy is knowing that my sons and daughter are growing up in a world where a working mother of three can serve in leadership.”

The Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions and recommends applicants for appointment.

Since the launch of the Appointments Project, seven women have been named by Mayor James to leadership positions in Kansas City: 1) Cecelia Carter, Employees Retirement System;2) Ajia Mignon, Land Bank Agency; 3) Amber Hackett, Parks and Recreation;4) Darline Henrius, Youth Commission; 5) Estela Montserrat Espitia-Cuellar, Youth Commission; Janelle Bailey, Ethics Commission; and 7) Sarah Martin-Anderson, Health Commission.

The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women and girls, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change.More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

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