Women’s Foundation and Helen Jon Announce Partnership Starting with "Shop for a Cause" July Campaign

Ten Percent of Proceeds Will Benefit Appointments Project
 

Kansas City, MO -- Today, Women’s Foundation and Helen Jon announced the beginning of a strategic partnership between the two organizations.  The partnership will kick off with a "Shop for a Cause,” campaign next week with Helen Jon donating 10% of its web sales to the Women’s Foundation's Appointments Project for the entire month of July.  The Appointments Project promotes women into public leadership positions.
 
“We are so grateful for the generosity of Helen Jon,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women’s Foundation. “Our partnership will help further our shared goals toward working for change to promote equity and opportunity for women.”
 
Women’s Foundation works for change by promoting equity and opportunity for women of all ages using research, philanthropy, and policy solutions. Through initiatives like the Appointments Project, Women’s Foundation has worked to make meaningful change in Kansas and Missouri.
 
“Helen Jon is thrilled to work with Women’s Foundation in furthering their mission of improving the lives of women and their families,” said Barb Stubbendieck, CEO of Helen Jon. “Any group that can open doors for the women of Missouri and Kansas is a group we are seeking to support."
 
Helen Jon is a brand of high-end swimwear, centered on the idea that women should feel comfortable, fashionable and beautiful in their own skin. The brand's thoughtful, sophisticated designs have created a 600 percent growth in sales across the world. Founded in 2012, the brand retails in more than 350 resorts, boutiques and stores in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and the Virgin Islands.  
 
Learn more about the Women’s Foundation at www.womens-foundation.org. For more information on Helen Jon, visit: www.helenjon.com .

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Women’s Foundation Announces 2017 We Work for Change Event Details

Women’s Foundation Will Celebrate 25 Years and Welcome Ambassador Samantha Power as the Keynote Speaker

Kansas City, MO – On Tuesday, October 3rd, Women’s Foundation will be holding their Annual Event from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts.  This event will celebrate 25 years of the Women’s Foundation work in promoting equity and opportunity for women of all ages through research, philanthropy, and policy solutions.  Samantha Power, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, is set to be the keynote speaker.   

Ambassador Power will share her unique and global perspective on the importance of women's civic engagement at every level.  

The youngest-ever U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power has been a leading voice internationally for principled American engagement in the world. One of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People,” she has spent half of her career explaining complex geopolitical events as a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, war correspondent, and Harvard professor – and the last eight years helping to shape them.  

"Ambassador Samantha Power is a shining example of women in leadership and we are so pleased to welcome her to our Annual Event," said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women's Foundation. "As Women's Foundation actively promotes women in leadership through efforts such as our Appointments Project, we are eager to hear Ambassador Power's unique and global perspective on the importance of women's civic engagement at every level."

Sponsorships for the Annual Event are open now, and general tickets will be available for purchase starting August 15th.  For sponsorship and ticket inquiries, please contact the Women’s Foundation at 816-988-2003. 

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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Lauren Garrott Appointed to Kansas City Board of Zoning Adjustment

OVER 40 WOMEN HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS IN KANSAS AND MISSOURI AS A RESULT OF APPOINTMENTS PROJECT

Kansas City, MO -- Women’s Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Lauren Garrott to the Kansas City Board of Zoning Adjustment. Garrott 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.

Lauren Garrott

“I'm pleased to appoint Lauren Garrott to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Lauren's experience and enthusiasm make her an excellent choice to serve, and I am grateful to her for taking on this role,” said Mayor Sly James. “I also would like to thank the Women's Foundation for partnering with my office on the Appointments Project, ensuring outstanding women, like Lauren, are represented on boards and commissions throughout Kansas City."

“Women’s Foundation is proud to have supported Lauren Garrott in her application process to the Kansas City Board of Zoning Adjustment 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 -- together we are truly closing the leadership gap.”

Lauren Garrott is a Project Manager at Shockey Consulting Services. Prior to Shockey Consulting she worked in park planning, urban planning, and served as a DOI/VISTA at Heartland Conservation Alliance. She graduated from Kansas State University with a master’s degree in Regional and Community Planning. Her master’s research focused on creating opportunities for African American women to be physically active in parks. Lauren is active in a number of organizations like Environmental Professionals of Color and the Children and Nature Network. She also serves on the board for two Kansas City non-profits, Heartland Conservation Alliance and Consensus.

“The Women’s Foundation was crucial to successfully getting me on this board. Without their help or support I wouldn’t have known about this opportunity or been able to navigate the application process,” said Garrott. “I’m grateful for the Women's Foundation Appointments Project and Mayor Sly James and I appreciate their efforts to get women on boards and commissions.”

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 40 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 Announces Linda Hanson as New Board Chair

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Today, Women’s Foundation announced Linda Hanson as Women’s Foundation’s new Board Chair. She will be taking the place of outgoing Chair Sherri Wattenbarger, who provided thoughtful leadership on the Women’s Foundation Board during her two-year term.
 
“For years, Linda Hanson has supported Women's Foundation through her time and talents," said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. "We are grateful for Linda’s dedication to improving the lives of women, and are thrilled that she will serve as our next Board Chair."
 
"It's a privilege to be able to serve the Women's Foundation. The Foundation's work to uplift and inspire women to serve on boards and commissions through the Appointments Project is something about which I'm very passionate. I look forward to supporting and growing this work," said Linda Hanson. "When women serve, they have the opportunity to make a difference in their communities.  They also have the ability to empower women economically by removing the obstacles that stand in their way."

Linda Hanson has served on the Women’s Foundation Board of Directors for three years. She is the Vice Chairman for Enterprise Bank & Trust in Kansas City.  Linda has gained more than 30 years of experience and leadership while growing the company's Kansas City presence from one location to eleven locations with $950 million in assets.
 
In addition to her work with Enterprise Bank & Trust, Linda plays an active role in the community. She has served on various boards and participated in many community outreaches in Kansas City. Linda has also been recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal as one of its "Women Who Mean Business.” She is a past recipient of the Kansas City Up and Comers Award and was most recently honored by Ingram’s as a “weKC honoree” and KCB Magazine as one of its “50 Most Influential Women.”

Upon Adjournment of the 2017 Missouri Legislative Session, Progress Should Build Momentum for Further Reforms

Kansas City, MO -- As the 2017 Session of the Missouri General Assembly ended tonight, Women's Foundation reflected on recent progress, and work still unfinished.  

“Women's Foundation has seen our policy work take meaningful steps forward through executive and legislative action, including touching the lives of more than 50,000 state workers through the Governor’s parental leave policy," said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women's Foundation.  "We thank Governor Greitens and members of the General Assembly for working with us on these issues, but we can’t let up.  There is more work to be done, and we hope the progress made motivates Missouri’s leaders to work even harder to improve the economic well-being of women and their families.”

Over the past year, Women’s Foundation has conducted and released research on the Status of Women in Missouri, on Occupational Licensing and Women Entrepreneurs and on Paid Family Leave.  Women’s Foundation used this research to work with Governor Eric Greitens, Speaker Todd Richardson and Missouri legislators to identify bipartisan policy solutions at the statewide level to remove barriers for women to succeed economically.   

In March, Governor Greitens signed an executive order on paid parental leave, providing Missouri state employees under his authority six weeks of parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.  The Missouri Department of Transportation later followed suit.  State Auditor Nicole Galloway also announced new office policies to benefit employees dealing with domestic violence.  On April 11, the governor signed an executive order recognizing that some boards and commissions may limit some Missourians’ ability to access a profession or service -- an issue that Women’s Foundation has worked to highlight through its research on occupational licensing. The Missouri legislature also debated several bills that would improve the lives of women by removing economic barriers.

“Whether it’s paid family and medical leave, removing barriers for women to open their own businesses, or equal pay for equal work, Women’s Foundation will continue to work for change for Missouri women and their families,” said Kendall Seal, Vice President of Women's Foundation.

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 Testimony on Missouri HB1059

Tonight, Kendall Seal, Vice President & General Counsel of the Women's Foundation, testified at the Missouri Capitol in support of House Bill 1059. Here is his testimony:

Good afternoon, Chairman Cornejo and members of the General Law Committee. My name is Kendall Seal, and I am the Vice President & General Counsel of the Women's Foundation. For 25 years, 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 1059, specifically referred to as the “Missouri Earned Family and Medical Leave Act” because the Women’s Foundation believes women’s issues are family issues, and we must not be lulled into the false choice of having to choose between strong families and strong businesses.

In short, we must support businesses by empowering workers with the flexibility to take care of their loved ones without losing their job or going broke. Senate Bill 1059 will accomplish the following:

• Allows workers to take personal responsibility for major life events such as the birth or adoption of a child, the occurrence of a serious illness such as cancer or a heart attack, or the transition of a parent into a long-term care facility without relying on government assistance.

• Permits employees to contribute a quarter of one percent of their pay into a fund from which they can draw from for wage replacement up to 67% of their average weekly pay in the event of a major life event.

• Provides employees up to 8 weeks of paid medical or family leave if they provide proper documentation and notice. Passage of the Missouri Earned Family and Medical Leave Act will make Missouri a beacon for economic development and family centered businesses that embrace best business practices and personal responsibility. At the Foundation, research is a large component of our work. We use data and facts to accurately tell the story. In 2016, we prepared a policy brief on paid family leave, in partnership with the University of Missouri's Truman School of Public Affairs, which is attached to this testimony.

Our analysis revealed that: 

• Missouri can be a leader in supporting working families by adopting paid family and medical leave policies.

• The economic impact of paid leave on families includes some income during the employee’s absence for those utilizing paid leave and an increased likelihood that women will still be working 9 to 12 months after the birth of a child.

• Families need access to paid family and medical leave to care for children and the elderly. Nationwide, the percentage of married-couple families with children under 18, in which both parents work, increased from 58 percent in 2010 -to 60 percent in 2014. More than 16 percent of the U.S. population are eldercare providers.

• Research shows that paid family and medical leave policies does not harm productivity, profitability, turnover, and employee morale. Also, long-term productivity can increase due to improved recruitment, retention, and employee motivation.

By partnering with the Women’s Foundation and supporting policy efforts to provide paid family and medical leave in Missouri, families are strengthened, workers are more productive, and our workforce becomes more effective. Do not take my word for it.

In July 2016, a public policy poll showed a strong majority Missourians support paid family and medical leave. When asked if they support or oppose allowing employees paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child, nearly two-thirds (65%) of Missourians supported this policy solution.

Now it is up to you to give voice to those Missouri values. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.

Heather Hardinger and Brittany O’Brien appointed to the Mayor's Commission for Human Rights & Community Relations

Appointments are the first in Springfield through a joint partnership with Women’s Foundation and ROSIE

Springfield, MO -- Women’s Foundation and ROSIE are proud to announce the appointments of Heather Hardinger and Brittany O’Brien to the City of Springfield's Mayor's Commission for Human Rights & Community Relations. Hardinger and O’Brien were appointed by Mayor Ken McClure who has expressed great interest in seeing increased civic engagement from women and young professionals.

“Heather Hardinger and Brittany O’Brien are dedicated members of the Springfield community and will make excellent additions to the Mayor’s Commission for Human Rights & Community Relations,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation, President & CEO. “We are excited to continue to partner with ROSIE to promote talented women into positions on boards and commissions.”

Heather Hardinger serves as the Programs and Communications Director for the Taney County Partnership where she works with a variety of community partners to effectively address the area's workforce development needs. Hardinger is active within the Springfield community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Council of Churches of the Ozarks and Safe to Sleep. Hardinger is active in a number of community organizations and programs including ROSIE, The Network for Springfield's Young Professionals, Ignite Branson, and more. 

Brittany O’Brien is a Senior Associate Attorney at Rooney McBride and Smith, LLC practicing in real estate, mediation, estate planning, probate and family law. O’Brien is also a founding member of the pilot group working to bring mediation to the Juvenile Court in Greene County. She is active within the local legal community and is a member of the Southern Missouri Women’s Lawyers Association, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, and ROSIE.

“We are so excited to see Heather Hardinger and Brittany O’Brien continue to lead and give back to our community through their dedicated public service,” said Rachel Anderson and Paige Oxendine, co-founders of ROSIE. “We are proud to have them as ROSIE members and to celebrate their continued successes.”

The Mayor's Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations is comprised of 13 citizens who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council and who serve without compensation. The body works to foster mutual understanding and respect among all racial, religious and ethnic groups of the City and provides the community recourse for discriminatory acts. The commission investigates alleged incidents of discrimination and tries to mediate settlements between affected parties. Members of the commission are appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years. 

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. Through the Appointments Project, Women’s Foundation serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking positions in local government.

ROSIE, a local initiative designed to support, assist and serve as an advocate network for current and prospective female founders, business owners and leaders in the Springfield region, is made possible by a grant from the Women's Foundation to the Missouri State Foundation. For more information about ROSIE and their work, including efforts to place local women on boards and commissions, visit www.rosiesgf.com.

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Statement on Governor Eric Greitens' Executive Order on Occupational Licensing

Women’s Foundation released the following statement regarding the executive order signed today by Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. The executive order notes that some boards and commissions may unreasonably regulate Missourians by improperly limiting access to a profession or service.

“We commend Governor Greitens for recognizing that unnecessary government regulations in the form of professional licensing requirements can sometimes limit access to economic opportunities. Women’s Foundation research has shown that these requirements can be especially harmful to women entrepreneurs and small business owners.  We look forward to working with the Governor and this new task force on reforms that remove barriers for women entrepreneurs and increase opportunities for women to serve on boards and commissions.”

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.
 

Statement on Election of Lyda Krewson as First Woman Mayor of St. Louis

Kansas City, MO -- Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women’s Foundation, a think tank that does research, philanthropic and policy work statewide in Missouri and Kansas, released the following statement today regarding Lyda Krewson being the first woman elected Mayor of St. Louis:

“We are delighted to offer our congratulations to Lyda Krewson for being elected the first woman mayor of St. Louis City.  It took nearly 200 years, but history was made last night and the glass ceiling in St. Louis was broken, paving the way for more women mayors to come.  We offer our support to Mayor-elect Krewson and wish her the best as she takes the helm of city government.

We’d also like to thank Mayor Francis Slay for his partnership in the Women's Foundation Appointments Project, helping promote more women to city boards and commissions." 

Women’s Foundation’s research shows that, despite women accounting for 51 percent of the population, a gender leadership gap exists in public office in Missouri. In its last Status of Women in Missouri research findings, Women's Foundation reported that in Missouri in 2016, there only four out of 20 mayors of large cities in Missouri (with 30,000 of more residents) were women. It also reported that only 22.3 percent of Missouri’s 2017 General Assembly seats are held by women, only 24 percent of state court judges are women, only 19 percent of all state prosecutors are women, and only two sheriffs in the state are women.

One way Women's Foundation has worked to close the leadership gap is through its Appointments Project. In 2015, the Women’s Foundation and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay announced St. Louis as the second city in Missouri to launch a Women’s Foundation Appointments Project to advance more women into leadership positions, after a successful pilot project in Kansas City, MO. 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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Actions Speak Louder than Words

Today, Equal Pay Day, is a symbolic day to recognize how far into the year a woman needs to work just to make the same amount a man made last year.

Women’s Foundation believes equal pay is imperative for economic empowerment, and is committed to closing the gender pay gap for women and their families. To achieve this goal, Women’s Foundation developed Pay Equity Best Practices Guidelines to encourage organizations to do their part in closing the pay gap.  

Today, we are excited to announce two more organizations that are taking action, and have committed to implement elements of our Pay Equity Best Practice Guidelines. The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and Community LINC have both committed to disclosing salary ranges within their organizations in an effort to ensure pay equity among employees.

Women's Foundation research shows that a woman, on average, in Missouri makes only 78 cents to the dollar a man makes. In Kansas, women make only 79 cents. Women of color make even less on the dollar.  

Help us work to close the pay gap by thanking organizations who are leading the way and by encouraging others to do the same.