Missouri is Making History with Paid Family Leave Policies

By Wendy Doyle - Guest blog on The Huffington Post

During Women's History Month, there is no better way to celebrate the women who have come before us than to actually make progress towards equality.

That's why it's been an exciting few weeks for those of us who work to advance policy solutions, such as paid family leave, that economically empower women.  

Women’s Foundation research shows that paid family leave policies strengthen families, reduce reliance on government assistance and support economic growth. It's good for women, their families and employers.

We shared our research with policymakers on both sides of the aisle in Missouri, including Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. Not long after, I was thrilled to receive a personal call from Gov. Greitens to express his gratitude for our research and public policy work. 

Our research informed his decision to sign Executive Order 17-09 to provide 45,000 state employees with up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave at 100% wage replacement — effective immediately.  

Read the full blog of The Huffington Post

Statement from Women's Foundation on MoDOT Parental Leave Policy Announcement

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Women's Foundation President & CEO Wendy Doyle released the following statement:

"We applaud the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for leading the way in implementing a family-friendly parental leave policy that will help economically empower women and their families.  At Women’s Foundation, we are dedicated to ending the false choice between work and family. Our research has shown that paid family leave benefits workers and their employers by strengthening families, increasing productivity, and reducing reliance on government assistance.

We are very pleased that Gov. Eric Greitens has made paid family leave a top priority and hope to see many more agencies and employers across Missouri follow the Governor's and MoDOT’s lead."

Women’s Foundation’s Paid Leave Policy Research Brief is available here. Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

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Statement from Women's Foundation on Governor Eric Greitens' executive order on paid parental leave

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women’s Foundation, released the following statement today regarding Governor Eric Greitens’ executive order on paid parental leave: 

“We are very pleased that Governor Greitens has taken executive action to provide state employees with paid parental leave and make Missouri a national leader in advancing family-friendly policies for its state workforce. Women’s Foundation research shows that paid family leave policies strengthen families, reduce reliance on government assistance and support economic growth.

At Women’s Foundation, we are dedicated to ending the false choice between work and family. Missourians value both. We applaud Governor Greitens for his leadership on this issue.” 

Women’s Foundation’s Paid Leave Policy Research Brief is available here. Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

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Statement from Women's Foundation on Auditor Galloway's New Leave Policies

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women's Foundation, released the following statement today regarding Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway's New Office Policies to Benefit Employees Dealing with Domestic Violence.

“Women’s Foundation applauds State Auditor Nicole Galloway for implementing commonsense office policies to protect the safety and well-being of her staff.  Women and men should not have to choose between their job and their safety. Domestic violence compromises more than one’s health—it has a devastating impact on the victim’s finances, which ultimately impacts Missouri’s economy. We hope more executive branch offices follow Auditor Galloway’s lead.  

It is also our hope that this action raises awareness, and members of the General Assembly pass legislation which provides unpaid leave for employees and their children impacted by domestic and sexual violence such as SB 268 (sponsored by Sen. Jill Schupp) and HB 842 (sponsored by Rep. Gina Mitten).​​​​​​​”

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

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Ashlee Crowl Appointed to Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities

Women's Foundation Appointments Project Continues to Make Progress

Ashlee Crowl, Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities appointee

Kansas City, MO -- Women’s Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Ashlee Crowl to the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities. Crowl was appointed by Kansas City Mayor Sly James, who has partnered with Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project through his Women’s Empowerment Initiative (WE) in order to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.

“Ashlee Crowl has spent years serving the community on the frontlines as a dedicated volunteer, and she will bring a valuable perspective to this committee,” said Mayor Sly James. “Thanks to our continued partnership with Women’s Foundation, our city has made great strides in our effort to increase the number of qualified women in leadership roles on boards and commissions in Kansas City.”

“Women’s Foundation is proud to have supported Ashlee Crowl in her application process to the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities and appreciates her dedication to bettering her community,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “We commend Mayor James’ continued commitment to empowering more women to serve on boards and commissions.”

Crowl is an attorney working in tax and compliance. She is a dedicated community volunteer with organizations such as Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center in Lawrence, KS, Operation Breakthrough, and Amethyst Place. Crowl received a Bachelor of General Studies, Political Science, and Psychology from the University of Kansas, and a Juris Doctor and L.L.M. in Taxation from University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law.

“I am excited to have worked with Women’s Foundation to find my way to the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities,” said Crowl. “While I have always believed that women are capable of anything they put their minds to, Women’s Foundation inspired me to start thinking about what that anything should be. This committee is an excellent way for me to put that experience to work in the community, and participate in improving our environment for our community on a larger scale.”

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

Thirty-seven women have been appointed to boards and commissions in Missouri and Kansas as a result of the Appointments Project since its launch in the spring of 2014.  The Appointments Project is currently active in helping recruit and train more women to serve on boards and commissions for the States of Missouri and Kansas, St. Louis County, and the Cities of St. Louis, Springfield, and Kansas City, MO, and Topeka and Olathe, KS.

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

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Wendy Doyle Testimony on Missouri HB609

Today, Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women's Foundation, testified at the Missouri Legislature in support of House Bill 609. Here is here testimony:

Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Wendy Doyle, and I serve as the President & CEO of Women’s Foundation. We invest in equity and opportunity for women of all ages in Missouri.

I am here to testify in support of House Bill 609. The Women’s Foundation wants to create a culture of entrepreneurship and economic empowerment for women and their families. In 2012, there were 163,000 women-owned firms in Missouri, up 24% since 2007. These businesses
accounted for more than $24 billion in sales. In 2015, employed women in the United States were more likely to hold a certification or license than employed men (28% and 23% respectively, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016). In Missouri, there are 457,985 individuals and businesses registered with the Division of Professional Registration.

In November, we released the findings of a quantitative study, in partnership with the University of Missouri’s Institute of Public Policy focused on Occupational Licensing and Entrepreneurship in Missouri. Some key findings include:

• There are 40 occupational licensing boards which license 55 professions in the state. Altogether the occupational licensing boards are governed by 239 board members. Approximately 133 board members are serving expired terms and more than 39 board seats are currently vacant.
   
• Positively, Missouri generally requires few licenses and has less burdensome requirements compared to other states. Missouri ranked 47 out of 50 for the number of lower-income occupations licensed and the average burden of the licensing requirements. Average fees are $100 and average education experience requirements are 220 days.
   
• Missouri has no requirement for occupations seeking state licensure or existing occupational licensing boards seeking an expansion of their scope to share economic, educational, and workforce data with legislative committees of reference. Better data sharing with
  policymakers leads to more informed decision-making on the potential need for public policy interventions. It is our desire that such data leads to more efficient and productive interactions with state government.
   
• As a supplement to the occupational licensing research study, again in partnership with the Institute of Public Policy, we developed a policy brief on sunrise legislation best practices related to occupational licensing. Fourteen states have established sunrise laws similar to
  House Bill 609 including Nebraska and Illinois. Each state has a significant variation in the level of formality and consistency in the cost-benefit review process but with one commonality: to protect the health, safety, and welfare of consumers.
  
  Bottom line . . . House Bill 609 is the right approach to facilitate more informed decision-making, prevent duplicative and unnecessary regulatory boards from being created, and create a more efficient occupational licensing structure for women entrepreneurs, employed professionals, and all Missourians.
  
  Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.
   

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Nacente Seabury Appointed to Kansas City Environmental Management Commission

Women's Foundation Appointments Project Continues to Make Progress

Kansas City, MO -- Women’s Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Nacente Seabury to the Kansas City Environmental Management Commission. Seabury was appointed by Mayor Sly James, who has partnered with Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project through his Women’s Empowerment Initiative (WE), in order to address the gender gap in city leadership positions. 

“Nacente Seabury brings experience and passion to the Kansas City Environmental Commission, and the city will greatly benefit from her dedication to the cause,” said Mayor Sly James. “Thanks to our continued partnership with Women’s Foundation, we remain dedicated to increasing the number of qualified women in leadership roles on boards and commissions in Kansas City.”

“Women’s Foundation is proud to have supported Nacente Seabury in her application process to the Kansas City Environmental Commission and believe she will add a valuable perspective in this new leadership role,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “We are proud to continue to partner with Kansas City to empower more women to serve on boards and commissions.”

Seabury’s passion for environmental management, justice, and advocacy stems from her experience as an environmental associate attorney for an Amlaw 100 law firm based in Kansas City, as well as her broad advocacy work for a large NGO in Accra, Ghana in West Africa.  Currently, Seabury has transitioned her environmental practice to one that focuses on public service and currently practices for a government agency dedicated to environmental protection.  Seabury graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2014 with a Juris Doctor, as well as from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, with a BA in History, cum laude, with departmental honors.

“As a woman of color dedicated to eradicating systemic social and environmental inequality, it is a privilege to serve my community as a commissioner and further the cause of environmental awareness and preservation in our diverse city,” Seabury said. “ I truly appreciate Women's Foundation’s help facilitating this appointment, and I am excited to partner with the Foundation in the future to encourage even more women to pursue civic engagement."

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

More than 35 women have been appointed to boards and commissions in Missouri and Kansas as a result of the Appointments Project since its launch in the spring of 2014.  The Appointments Project is currently active in helping recruit and train more women to serve on boards and commissions for the States of Missouri and Kansas, St. Louis County, and the Cities of St. Louis, Springfield, and Kansas City, MO, and Topeka and Olathe, KS. 

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

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Women’s Foundation Releases New Data that Underscores Need for Policy Solutions

New Data Shows Much More Work to Be Done to Achieve Economic Empowerment for Women in Missouri

KANSAS CITY, MO – Today, Women’s Foundation released new findings to their ongoing research on the Status of Women in Missouri at a web-based press conference.
 
The research examines and benchmarks progress, or lack thereof, on a variety of indicators for women in Missouri. For example, there are signs of incremental progress in some areas, such as health care, where a higher percentage of Missouri women now have health insurance coverage than two years ago. However, in other areas there has been regression: despite women making up 51% of Missouri’s population, the percentage of women serving in the Missouri General Assembly is now only 22.3% -- down from 25% two years ago.

“Our research identifies real areas of concern that require policy solutions to empower women economically,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. "The good news is there are concrete steps policymakers and community leaders can take – right now – to make life better for women and their families. Our policy solutions such as the Appointments Project, Pay Equity Best Practices and work to reduce regulatory burdens and promote paid family leave are designed to do just that.”

Findings from the research include the following:

Employment & Income
Lead Indicator: Earnings gap between men and women

• Women who work full time in Missouri earn only 77.9 cents for every dollar earned by a man, a gender wage gap of almost 22 percent.  (improved)
• The gender pay gap is noticeably larger for women of color, who make as little as 66.7 cents per every dollar a white male earns.

Education & Child Care
Lead indicator: Number and distribution of accredited child care centers

• 38 percent of Missouri counties do not have an accredited child care center, which is now worse than in 2013, when only 27 percent of counties had no accredited centers. (declined)
• With 69.9 percent of mothers and 92.8 percent of fathers with children under 18 participating in paid work, many rely on child care.
• The cost of child care in Missouri for infants averages $5,600 to $8,700 or more annually, which can be higher than a year’s tuition at a four-year public university.

Social & Economic
Lead Indicator: Poverty rate of women 65 and older

• In 2015, 10.3 percent of women over 65 in Missouri were in poverty. (improved)
• 41.3 percent of women-headed households with children under 18 live below the poverty level
• The poverty rate of women 75 and older is almost two times higher than the poverty rate of men 75 and older in both Missouri and the U.S.

Health
Lead Indicator: Proportion of Missourians without health care coverage

• In 2015, 9.8 percent of Missourians were without health care, which is higher than the national rate of 9.4 percent. (improved; this rate was 13.0% in 2013)
• 60 percent of uninsured Missourians are women.
• Nearly 73,000 uninsured Missouri women could have access to health care under Medicaid expansion, which is extremely important when 1 in 8 women today will develop breast cancer.
• In Missouri, there are 33 counties where more than one-fifth of the population is uninsured, the highest being Scotland County where 39 percent of residents do not have health insurance.

Leadership & Public Engagement
Lead Indicator: Women representation in public office

• Women account for 51 percent of Missouri’s population, but only 22.3 percent of Missouri’s 2017 General Assembly, down from 25 percent in Missouri’s 2015 General Assembly. (declined)
• Only 24 percent of state court judges are women.
• Only 19 percent of all state prosecutors are women.
• Only two (2) sheriffs in the state are women.

Women Veterans and Military Spouses

• In 2015, 11.8 percent of veterans were women, compared to 8.4 percent in 2009.
• In 2015, the gender pay gap between male and women veterans in Missouri was narrower than the rest of the nation at 93 percent and 83 percent, respectively.
• Military spouses need to make career and lifestyle adjustments throughout their lives, which causes them to earn less and participate less in the labor force.

"Many factors, including pay equity, education, health care, and child care significantly impact women's lives and their ability to achieve economic equity," said Emily Johnson, Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer, Institute of Public Policy, Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded HERE. The extensive research project was commissioned by the Women’s Foundation in partnership with academic experts at the University of Missouri’s Institute of Public Policy and was made possible by generous support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In 2015, Women's Foundation released its first Status of Women in Missouri research report to inform workable policy solutions for women and their families and to set baseline data by which they could benchmark subsequent findings.

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

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Women's Foundation released findings to their ongoing research on the Status of Women in Missouri at a web-based press conference on January 19, 2017. This is a recording of that presentation. 

Women’s Foundation, City of Topeka, and Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Announce Appointments Project

Project will promote Topeka Women for Local Leadership Positions

TOPEKA, KS -- Today, Women’s Foundation, the City of Topeka, and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce announced a new effort to increase the number of women serving on city boards and commissions. Topeka is the ninth community in Kansas and Missouri to launch the successful Women’s Foundation Appointments Project program. As part of the event, Councilwoman Karen Hiller announced the first appointment through Women’s Foundation Appointments Project - Topeka, Angel Zimmerman, who has been appointed to the Capital Business Improvement District. 

“We are very pleased to partner with the City of Topeka and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce to launch another city-wide Appointments Project to enable more women to lead in their community,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “This expansion is another great step toward our goal of removing barriers for women of all ages.”

The Appointments Project - Topeka will work to identify good candidates for city leadership positions by increasing awareness of open board positions, connecting local talent, and helping women navigate the process. Past research on civic engagement conducted by Women’s Foundation has shown that while women have the drive and the desire to serve on a board or commission, many feel like they do not have the knowledge or experience to do so. In addition, many women express they would serve, if they were asked.

“The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and GO Topeka is proud to partner with Women’s Foundation and the City of Topeka to encourage more women to consider serving in these important local government roles,” said Glenda Washington, VP of Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development – GO Topeka.

The first appointment through the Appointments Project - Topeka was announced as Angel Zimmerman, who was recently appointed to the Capital Business Improvement District. 

“I am honored to receive the first appointment through the Topeka Appointments Project. I am grateful to leaders like Councilwoman Karen Hiller and to Women’s Foundation for their guidance in this process, and looking forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with more women in local leadership positions,” said Angel Zimmerman, an attorney and recent appointee to the Capital Business Improvement District.

“Angel will be a valuable addition to the Capital Business Improvement District,” said Karen Hiller, Topeka City Councilwoman for District One. “I know firsthand that having more women in leadership positions will enrich and strengthen our city by adding new perspectives.” 

The Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead in 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. The Appointments Project was first launched in Kansas City in 2014. Since this launch, 33 women have been appointed to boards and commissions and the project has expanded to nine locations.

Topeka women interested in learning more or applying to Women’s Foundation Appointments Project - Topeka are encouraged to participate in an informational webinar on Thursday, February 16 at 12:15 pm. Click here for more details and to RSVP.

For more information on Women’s Foundation Appointments Project, visit: www.womens-foundation.org/a-p. 

Women's Foundation Advocates for Missouri Rule Changes to Advance Family Leave

Proposed rules unanimously adopted by Personnel Advisory Board on Tuesday would provide more comprehensive and flexible leave options for state workers

Jefferson City, Mo. - As part of of their ongoing work to advance flexible workplace solutions for families, Women’s Foundation submitted comments to the Personnel Advisory Board, which met today, in support of Governor Jay Nixon's proposed rule changes related to state employee leave policies.  These rule changes would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Missouri state employees to allow more flexibility for workers to care for their loved ones without losing their jobs or going broke.  The board unanimously adopted the rule changes today.

“Paid family leave in Missouri will strengthen families, help state workers become more productive, and result in a more effective state government workforce,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women's Foundation. "We appreciate Governor Nixon's leadership in making a significant step toward a work culture that embraces paid family leave for state workers."

Read Women's Foundation's comments here, as well as a legal memorandum by The Missouri Joint Commission on Women in the Legal Profession. 

In October, Women’s Foundation released initial research findings on paid family leave. 

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

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