Gender pay equity bill could make employers smarter about what they pay women

By: Mary Sanchez, Kansas City Star
April 16, 2015

To say that women are patient when it comes to social change is an understatement at best.

Women are used to incremental gains for their gender, sometimes painstakingly glacial. Still, applause is due for how a bill on gender pay equity is slowly gaining momentum.

Last month, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry testified against a House bill seeking to make available best practices on addressing gender pay inequity.

The chamber’s testimony had staked the group’s ground on the fear that the guidelines could morph into mandates. The bills don’t call for mandates, just information-gathering and dissemination. There are no penalties for not complying and no enforcement provisions.

Later the chamber testified in a hearing before the Senate on a nearly identical bill. This time, the organization was neither in support nor opposed. So backers believe previous arguments wilted a bit.

Wendy Doyle, president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation, is thrilled. For her organization’s goals, it’s important that such a stalwart of business interests showed a shift, no matter how small.

This week, the Senate bill passed out of committee. And 21 new bipartisan co-sponsors were announced for the House bill. What the bills are calling for is exactly what will probably draw even more support.

The foundation is the catalyst behind the effort to right the wrongs behind the statistic that women in Missouri make 71 cents to every dollar that men earn when they work full time and year-round. Say that and doubters still come out of the woodwork.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/mary-sanchez/article18726486.html 

Kimberly Hill, Ph.D, Appointed to Kansas City Environmental Management Commission

Women’s Foundation Appointments Project Sees 12th Appointment in 12 Months

Kansas City, MO – Today, the Women’s Foundation announced that Kimberly Hill, Ph.D, was appointed by Mayor Sly James to the Kansas City Environmental Management Commission. The Women’s Foundation promoted Hill through their Appointments Project, which has partnered with Mayor James to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.

“In partnership with Mayor James, we’re thrilled to announce Dr. Kimberly Hill’s appointment as the twelfth success story of the Appointments Project in its first 12 months,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “Dr. Hill will be a tremendous asset to the Kansas City Environmental Management Commission and we are thankful for her willingness to serve her community.”

Kimberly Hill, Ph.D

“It’s a special pleasure to appoint a candidate who is so highly qualified for the Environmental Management Commission, given the commission’s very important role in planning for the city’s environmental needs and ensuring the city complies with state and federal regulations,” Mayor Sly James said. “With more than 25 years of public health and environmental experience and long experience in community and urban planning focused on environmental justice, green jobs and sustainability, I know Dr. Hill will contribute to the commission’s mission of promoting environmental awareness and resource efficiency.”

As an Environmental Scientist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Hill developed national policy on environmental issues. Before that she was an Environmental Quality Specialist for the City of Houston Health and Human Services. Hill earned her both her M.A. and Doctorate in Management, emphasizing leadership and leading organizational change, at Webster University- St. Louis. She has over 25 years of environmental and public health experience.

"I'm looking forward to serving my community on the Environmental Management Commission.  I truly appreciate the support and leadership I received from The Jackson County (MO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated through their Women's Empowerment Initiative and the guidance that the Women's Foundation provided through their Appointments Project," said Kimberly Hill, Ph.D.  "I would encourage other women looking to lead to reach out to the Women's Foundation to help them find a board or commission that is the right fit for them."

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.

Twelve 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; 9) Betsy Lynch, Fairness in City Contracts Board; 10) Dr. LaTedra Collins, Health Care Foundation Community Advisory Committee; 11) Niki Lee Donawa, Health Care Foundation Community Advisory Committee; and  12) Kimberly Hill, Ph.D, Environmental Management 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.

###

Statement from Wendy Doyle Regarding Gov. Nixon's Appointment of Nicole Galloway as State Auditor

Kansas City, MO – Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women’s Foundation, released the following statement regarding Gov. Nixon’s appointment of Nicole Galloway as Missouri State Auditor:

Nicole Galloway

“When women lead, they bring view points and unique ideas to develop solutions for our government and communities.  However, for the past few years, not one of Missouri’s elected statewide executive offices was held by a woman.  At the Women’s Foundation, we are dedicated to creating opportunities and helping remove barriers that prevent women from leading, and we commend Governor Jay Nixon for his appointment of  Nicole Galloway to the position of State Auditor.   We look forward to Nicole Galloway serving our state well. When women succeed, Missouri succeeds.

Tragic circumstances surround this vacancy and our sincerest thoughts and prayers remain with Auditor Schweich’s family and loved ones.”

###

Gender Pay Equity Bill Receives Strong Bipartisan Support in the Missouri Legislature

ON EQUAL PAY DAY, MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR 
EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK 

Jefferson City, MO – The Women’s Foundation’s public policy agenda addressing the gender pay gap in Missouri is gaining momentum as more legislators have expressed their public support for HB 44, filed by Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia).  Women in Missouri make 71 cents to the dollar men make, according to a recent research study by the Women’s Foundation, and these bills would establish best practice guidelines towards solving this issue.  

“Equal pay for equal work means a stronger economy for all Missourians,” said Rep. Webber. “It’s great to see bipartisan support for this commonsense legislation.”

“This bill allows men and women to come together to find solutions for Missouri’s pay gap problem,” said Rep. Sheila Solon (R-Blue Springs).

“Equal pay for women will drive the state’s economy,” said Rep. Caleb Jones (R-Columbia).

Today, on Equal Pay Day, the newest cosponsors of HB 44 include:  

1. Lauren Arthur - Democrat, District 18, Kansas City
2. Jon Carpenter - Democrat, District 15, Gladstone
3. Robert Cornejo - Republican, District 64, St. Peters
4. Brandon Ellington - Democrat, District 22, Kansas City
5. Paul Fitzwater - Republican, District 144, Potosi
6. Elijah Haahr – Republican, District 134, Springfield
7. Denny Hoskins - Republican, District 54, Warrensburg
8. Caleb Jones – Republican, District 50, Columbia
9. Jeanne Kirkton -Democrat, District 91, Webster Groves
10. Sharon Pace - Democrat, District 74, St. Louis
11. Joshua Peters - Democrat, District 76, St. Louis
12. Tracy McCreery - Democrat, District 88, St. Louis
13. Kevin McManus - Democrat, District 36, Kansas City
14. Margo McNeil - Democrat, District 69, Florissant
15. Bonnaye Mims - Democrat, District 27, Kansas City
16. Judy Morgan - Democrat, District 24, Kansas City
17. Mary Nichols - Democrat, District 72, Maryland Heights
18. Bill Otto - Democrat, District 70, Maryland Heights
19. Lyle Rowland - Republican, District 155, Cedar Creek
20. Sheila Solon - Republican, District 31, Blue Springs
21. Anne Zerr - Republican, District 65, St. Charles

A research study conducted by the Women’s Foundation, in partnership with the University of Missouri in 2014, showed women in Missouri make 29% less than men for the same work. HB 44 would establish best practice guidelines for businesses to utilize when addressing their gender pay gaps.  The bill had its first hearing in March in front of the Committee for Workforce Standards and Development. Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation, was among several organizational and community leaders from across the state who testified in support of the HB 44.  A copy of her testimony can be found here. 

A similar bill, SB 144, sponsored by Sen. Paul LeVota (D-Independence) has also been filed in the Senate.  This bill already received an initial hearing, at which the Women’s Foundation testified in support, and is scheduled to have another hearing today (Tuesday, April 14).  

###

Sister Berta Sailer and Sister Corita Bussanmas Honored As Women’s Foundation Advocates of the Year

Sisters Berta Sailer and Corita Bussanmas

Last Thursday, April 9th, the Women’s Foundation honored Sister Berta Sailer and Sister Corita Bussanmas with the Karen Herman Advocate of the Year Award at a reception at Prairiefire Museum. 

This award is given to individuals who have exhibited a long-term commitment and demonstrated their passion through meaningful work to enhancing the lives of women and girls. 

Sister Berta Sailer and Sister Corita Bussanmas are the co-founders of Operation Breakthrough, a not-for-profit agency that provides childcare and a broad range of social services for working poor families at 31st and Troost in Kansas City. 

Sister Berta and Sister Corita Bussanmas founded Operation Breakthrough in 1971 in response to pleas from central city parents who wanted quality care and education for their children. It is now the largest single-site childcare center in Missouri, caring each weekday for nearly 400 children, who come to Operation Breakthrough from homeless shelters, foster homes and struggling single parent families. In addition to early childhood education and enrichment activities for school-age children, Operation Breakthrough provides medical and dental care, mental health services, tutoring, mentoring, parent education, a food pantry, emergency aid and case management for families in crisis. 

For over 40 years, Sisters Berta and Corita have advocated for Kansas City children in need at local, state and national levels. Although Sister Corita retired in 2013, she continues to care for children at home. Sister Berta and Sister Corita are licensed foster parents, with a house full of young people in need of a home, as well as their four adopted children, ranging in age from 14 to 21. 

###

Women's Foundation Releases Gender Pay Discrepancy By County

ON AVERAGE, WOMEN IN MISSOURI MAKE 71 CENTS TO THE DOLLAR MEN MAKE; IN SOME COUNTIES IT'S AS LOW AS 51 CENTS

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – According to a recent research study conducted by the Women’s Foundation in partnership with the University of Missouri, women in Missouri make 29% less than men for the same work.  Today, the Women’s Foundation released a fact sheet that broke down this figure by county.  The fact sheet is available here:

The Women’s Foundation released this resource the same day that Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation, testified before the Missouri Senate Committee for Small Business, Insurance and Industry in support of SB 144, a gender pay equity bill sponsored by Sen. Paul LeVota (Independence).  Last week, she testified in support of a similar bill, HB 44 which is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Webber (Columbia).  Either bill would begin to address the pay inequity that exists between men and women in Missouri in order to drive economic growth.

The full Status of Women in Missouri report and interactive research tools can be found here:  http://www.communitycommons.org/groups/womens-foundation/

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.                    

###

Missouri Falls Short of National Average When it Comes to Pay Equality

By: Brett Blume, KMOX

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – House Bill 44 is moving through the Missouri General Assembly seeking to close the wage gap between men and women.

The latest bill was prompted by a recent study conducted on behalf of the Women’s Foundation.

The group’s president and CEO Wendy Doyle tells KMOX News they learned that on average, women make 71 percent of what men do for the same job...

“What we want to do is to be able to see that pay gap decrease so we can drive further dollars into the state of Missouri to improve the overall income,” she says.

Read the full story from KMOX. 

Two More Appointments of Women Announced on First Anniversary of Women's Empowerment Initiative

Women's Foundation Appointments Project Celebrates 11 Successful Appointments

            Dr. LaTedra Collins

Kansas City, MO – Today, during a celebration of the first year anniversary of the Women’s Empowerment Initiative (WE), Mayor Sly James announced the appointments of two more women to Kansas City leadership positions. These committee assignments mark 11 successful appointments through the Women’s Foundation Appointments Project since its launch last spring.
 
The two newest appointments are Dr. LaTedra Collins and Niki Lee Donawa, both appointed to the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City Community Advisory Committee.
 
“The Women’s Foundation is all about research, solutions and results,” said Women’s Foundation President and CEO Wendy Doyle. “Thanks to our partnership with Mayor Sly James in the past year, the Women’s Foundation Appointments Project has started to address a gap our research identified, and we’ve helped 11 women in the Kansas City area receive appointments to boards and commissions. We look forward to encouraging more women to apply for civic leadership opportunities in the days ahead.”

"The first-of-its-kind WE initiative has been an effective tool for ensuring women have the tools they need to succeed," Mayor Sly James said. "The collaboration with the Women's Foundation on the Appointments Project has been critical to the success of this initiative. I'm so proud that WE is attracting attention from officials in several other cities, who are looking to Kansas City as a national model for improving the status of women." 

            Niki Lee Donawa

The Women’s Empowerment initiative (WE) was launched one year ago.  It is a public/private partnership between Kansas City Mayor Sly James’ office and the Women’s Foundation, Central Exchange, and UMKC’s Women’s Center, with the goals of examining the policies and processes of city government and addressing the fact that women are under-represented in the business community, in government, and in leadership positions. The Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project is a partnership with Mayor James’ office to help specifically address the gender gap on boards and commissions.
 
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.
 

###

Wendy Doyle of Women's Foundation Testifies in Support of Gender Pay Equity Bill

Women in Missouri Make 71 Cents to the Dollar Men Make

Jefferson City, MO – Today, Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation, testified before the House Committee for Workforce Standards and Development in support of HB 44, a gender pay equity bill sponsored by Rep. Stephen Webber (Columbia).  According to a recent research study conducted by the Women’s Foundation in partnership with the University of Missouri, women in Missouri make 29% less than men for the same work.  

 Her testimony was as follows:

Good afternoon, members of the committee. My name is Wendy Doyle, and I am the President & CEO of the Women's Foundation. Since 1991, the Foundation has been investing in equity and opportunity for women of all ages in Missouri.

I am here to testify in support of House Bill 44 because the Women’s Foundation wants to help drive economic development and support for Missouri women and their families. Not only do women represent 51% of our state’s population, 65% of Missouri women vote which is a larger percentage than men and is even higher than the national average for both men and women.

 At the Foundation, research is a large component of our work with the data and facts to accurately tell the story. In 2014, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative study, in partnership with the University of Missouri's Truman School of Public Affairs. Our study focused on the Status of Women in Missouri. In addition to analysis, we spent a lot time listening to low-income and mid-to-upper income women in focus groups throughout Missouri so we could hear firsthand exactly what issues women are facing. We even focused group men and what we learned is that they have concerns for their wives’ ability to generate income to household budgets and for the daughters’ need to be economically self-sufficient.

 To give you a snapshot, our research revealed that:

·       Positively, Missouri women make up 48 percent of the paid labor force, slightly higher than the national rate of 47 percent. 

·       Another positive, Missouri women are less likely to be unemployed than are men. 

·       All that being said though, in Missouri, women who work full-time earn 29 percent less than men for the same work. Said another way, Missouri women make $0.71 to the dollar that men make. With few exceptions, this income gap persists across racial and ethnic groups, age, educational level and occupation. As a reference point, the national average is $0.78 to the dollar.

·       Over two-thirds of Missouri's counties, mostly in the Northwest and Southeast regions of the state, have income ratios below the state average. The widest gap is in Carroll County, where women have incomes that are just 51 percent of male incomes.

 You may be asking how the gender pay gap is related to driving economic development?

·       Research has shown that currently Missouri women who are employed full time -- lose a combined total of approximately $8 billion dollars due to this wage gap.

This means that if we can work together to close the gap, on average, a working woman in Missouri would have enough money for approximately:

·       73 more weeks of food for her family (more than a year's worth);

·       Eight more months of mortgage and utilities payments;

·       Nearly 13 more months of rent; or

·       2,934 additional gallons of gas

There is so much more that we can do to develop best business practices to further economic development for Missouri and to improve the lives of women and their families.

We believe that House Bill 44 takes the right approach to get to the “why” there is a gender pay gap so that together, men and women, we can develop lasting solutions and get the results that we all desire.

Economically self-sufficient women will lead Missouri’s next chapter of economic growth and by supporting this bill you will be investing in a stronger economy for all Missourians.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.

                ###

Why More Women Are Not In Positions Of Leadership

In a country where almost 51 percent of the population is female, positions of leadership in politics, education and business are largely dominated by men. On this edition of Up To Date, we discuss why women lag in leadership positions and how to reverse the trend.

Guests:

• Wendy Doyle is the Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation in Kansas City. 
• Dr. Judy Rogers is the President of Cottey College for Women in Nevada, Missouri.
• Nancy Mellard is Executive Vice President of CBIZ and National Leader at CBIZ Women's Advantage.

LISTEN to the full story here.