Women’s Foundation Testifies for Bill to Reduce Licensing Regulations on Hair Braiders

Jefferson City, Mo. – Citing its research on how occupational licensing and fees can restrict economic opportunity, Women’s Foundation today testified in favor of Missouri House Bill 1500, which would allow hair braiders to earn a living without obtaining a cosmetology license.  

“These excessive requirements force African hair braiders to operate in an underground economy and prevent them from realizing their full economic potential,” said Kendall Seal, Vice President of Research & Policy and General Counsel of the Women’s Foundation. “We believe that House Bill 1500 takes the right approach and is one small step policymakers can take to support the business environment that allows
women entrepreneurs to flourish rather than being penalized for their innovation and
willingness to work.”

To become a licensed cosmetologist in Missouri, one has to complete either
1,500 hours in a school of cosmetology, or 3,000 hours in an apprenticeship
program, and pass a written and a practical exam. However, the training and the
exams do not cover African hair braiding. The Women’s Foundation noted that, a result of these stringent requirements, hair braiders are forced to operate in an underground economy and are not able to realize their full economic potential.

House Bill 1500 would require individuals engaging in braiding to register with the State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners and complete a self-test on infection control techniques and diseases of the scalp.

A copy of the testimony is available here.

Women’s Foundation Announces Recommendations for Combating Sexual Harassment in Kansas Legislature

TOPEKA, KS – Today the Women’s Foundation announced recommendations for preventing and combating sexual harassment in the Kansas Legislature. The recommendations were developed with input from legal experts, advocates and community stakeholders following reports of widespread sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by Kansas state legislators. 

“Every instance of sexual harassment, especially when it is perpetrated by elected officials entrusted with political leadership, is a setback for gender equity and opportunity,” said Women’s Foundation President and CEO, Wendy Doyle. “Our review found that the Kansas Legislature lacks the policies, procedures and coordinated approach necessary to prevent sexual harassment from happening, and to respond effectively when it does. We look forward to helping the Kansas Legislature adopt these recommendations and working with leaders across state government to combat sexual harassment and promote equity and opportunity for all women.” 

After reports of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by Kansas state legislators, Senator Susan Wagle asked the Women’s Foundation to conduct a review of the legislature’s current policies regarding sexual harassment. The recommendations will be formally submitted to the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council during a public hearing today.

The recommendations are grouped four categories: ethics and workplace culture, accountability and monitoring, education and awareness, and victim resources. They include: requiring elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists to actively participate in an annual training on civil discourse, cultural competence, and sexual harassment;  providing for independent, outside legal counsel to conduct sexual harassment investigations; allowing victims to report their allegations anonymously; establishing a non-fraternization policy for elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists; and banning arbitration and limiting mediation, which can serve to silence victims and shield sexual predators from accountability.

“Sexual harassment cannot be tolerated – not in our workplaces, not in our communities, and certainly not here in the Capitol,” said State Sen. Susan Wagle.  “I thank the Women’s Foundation for their dedication to addressing this issue and their work to develop these thoughtful recommendations. These recommendations give us a roadmap that will guide us in the weeks, months and years ahead as we work to eliminate sexual harassment, improve the culture of the capitol, and ensure the safety of everyone who works here.” 

The full list of the recommendations is available here.
 

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.

Revitalize Rural Missouri By Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

This article originally appeared in Rural Missouri
 

This year’s State of Entrepreneurship Report by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation found that while startup activity is expanding beyond Silicon Valley to places like St. Louis and Kansas City, rural areas are getting left behind. In 1977, more than two out of every ten U.S. startups were in rural areas. Today, this number is just over one in every ten.

This steep decline in new business creation is a real challenge for rural communities, and women may be the key to solving it. 

About one-third of all businesses in Missouri are owned by women, and we know that entrepreneurship and self-employment are essential ways for women to achieve financial independence and pursue more flexible, rewarding careers.

That’s why, as an organization dedicated to empowering women economically, Women’s Foundation teamed up with researchers at the University of Missouri to study the barriers that can hold women back and identify solutions to make it easier for them to achieve their dreams. 

We found that occupational licensing, the requirements that govern professions ranging from cosmetology to architecture, have expanded dramatically over the past five decades, and that women are more likely to work in occupations that have these requirements.

And while these regulations are intended to promote public health and safety, they can actually restrict economic opportunity by making it harder for women to start new businesses or enter new professions.

When it takes 20 times longer to become a licensed cosmetologist than an emergency medical technician (EMT), it’s time to re-evaluate how these licenses are working – and not working – for women and their families.

For example, moving across state lines shouldn’t mean losing your right to practice your profession. But that’s exactly what happens to many women who relocate, only to find out they need to start from scratch to legally perform their work. 

New technologies have also given consumers a vast new array of tools to evaluate the quality of goods and services. Lawmakers should consider replacing some licenses with less-burdensome alternatives like certificates and private sector solutions like consumer reviews.

Instead of just automatically approving a new regulation every time it’s proposed, we’re advocating for a law that would require each new licensing requirement to undergo a vigorous cost-benefit analysis and periodic reviews.

Finally, women continue to be underrepresented on the boards and commissions that govern these regulations, which means they don’t have a voice in the process. Appointing more women, as our Appointments Project is working to do, will ensure women have a seat at the table when these regulations are being developed.

The good news is there’s a growing consensus – on both sides of the aisle – on the need to tackle these occupational licensing barriers.

Here in Missouri, Gov. Eric Greitens created a Boards and Commissions Task Force, which recently recommended a set of reforms – informed by our research – that would eliminate and consolidate a number of occupational licensing boards and reduce barriers facing women entrepreneurs.

Together, we can make it easier for women to start and grow their businesses – and rev up rural America’s economy in the process. 

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

Paid Parental Leave Expands In Missouri to Include More State Employees

Missouri House and Five of Six Statewide Elected Officials Implement Paid Parental Leave

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Five out of six statewide executive branch officials in Missouri, along with the House of Representatives and four independent executive agencies have now adopted paid parental leave policies for their state employees, Women’s Foundation announced today.  

Women’s Foundation has been working to educate public officials on the importance of paid family and medical leave and encouraging them to extend the benefit to their employees. 

In March, Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order granting paid parental leave to employees in the governor’s office and in agencies controlled by his appointees. Since then, four other statewide elected officials and the House of Representatives have followed suit. As a result, employees of nearly every state agency are now able to take paid time off following the birth or adoption of a child. 

“Our research has shown that paid family leave benefits families, employers and the economy, so we’re thrilled that Missouri officials are offering this family-friendly benefit to state employees,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women’s Foundation. “No one should have to choose between caring for a child and paying the bills, and we thank Governor Greitens, Speaker Todd Richardson and all the officials who have stepped up to provide parental leave to their employees. Paid leave makes for strong families and strong businesses, so we look forward to working with legislators to pass an earned family and medical leave law that will give all Missourians the ability to care for a child or loved-one without losing their income.”

To date, paid parental leave policies have been adopted by Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, for state employees in executive branch agencies, as well as by Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson, State Auditor Nicole Galloway, State Treasurer Eric Schmitt, Attorney General Josh Hawley, and the Missouri House of Representatives. Four independent executive agencies governed by independent commissions have also adopted paid leave policies: the Missouri Department of Mental Health, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Missouri Department of Higher Education, and the Missouri Department of Transportation. 

Last year, Women’s Foundation released preliminary research on the benefits of paid leave in partnership with the University of Missouri Truman School Institute of Public Policy, which found that paid family leave reduces reliance on public assistance and encourages women to stay in the workforce.

This research has helped inform administrative and legislative solutions that would expand paid family leave options for women and their families. For example, during the 2017 legislative session, Women’s Foundation supported the Missouri Earned Family and Medical Leave Act (House Bill 1059), which would grant eligible employees up to 8 weeks of leave per 12 month period to bond with a new child, to care for a seriously ill family member, to care for their own serious illness, or to “assume any familial responsibility because a [family member] is on or called to active duty.” Employees would contribute 0.25% of their weekly pay beginning in 2019 and would be able to receive the 67% wage replacement leave in 2020. 

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.

Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project™ Achieves Two More Appointments

Appointments Project has led to the appointments of more than 80 women

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Women’s Foundation is proud to announce the appointments of Jane Ehinger to the Liquor Control Board of Review in Kansas City, Missouri and Cristina Walker to the Public Art Committee in Olathe, Kansas. Kansas City Mayor Sly James appointed Ehinger and Walker was appointed by Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland.

Started in 2014, the Appointments Project aims to increase the amount of women serving on boards and commissions. With over 800 applicants and a total of 82 women appointed to Kansas and Missouri boards and commissions, the Appointments Project is helping to get more women involved in public service. 

“These women have exemplified the extraordinary leadership qualities we look for in our Appointment Project applicants,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “We know that when more women are in leadership positions, our communities thrive.” 

“Jane is a talented professional,” said Mayor Sly James. “Her unique background and expertise as a lawyer will definitely be an asset to the board.” 
 
Ehinger is a licensed attorney in Missouri and has a graduate degree in architecture. In addition to practicing law, Ehinger has urban planning, community economic development, and commercial real estate management experience. She is also an active member of Architecture for Humanity, a community-driven architectural organization that provides innovative construction and planning services.

“In an era in which more and more women want to participate in local politics, the Women's Foundation provides an indispensable service; it simplifies the process, matches candidate skills to available posts, and advocates for the advancement of women in positions of power,” said  Ehinger.

Jane Ehinger

Ehinger will serve on the Liquor Control Board of Review. The board is responsible for several duties including appeal hearings for the disapproval of applications and the renewal or transfer of location of an existing license.

“The partnership we have with the Women’s Foundation strengthens our entire community by helping develop leaders.” said Mayor Michael Copeland.

Walker serves as the Annual Giving Director for Global Scholars. She formerly lived in England and South Africa, where she studied and practiced painting, sculpture and art appreciation. Walker has a communications degree and over 25 years of writing, communications and editing experience. She has also published over 175 articles for newspapers and magazines. 

“The Women’s Foundation was great in keeping me connected to those ways I can serve the community that matter to me the most and serve others well,” said Walker.

Cristina Walker

The Olathe Public Art Committee works as a steward of the city’s public art collection. 

To learn more about the Appointments Project visit www.womens-foundation.org/a-p/.

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.

Initiative to Appoint More Women to Local Boards Now Accepting Applications in Wichita

Women in Wichita encouraged to apply for positions on local boards and commissions through the Appointments Project™

WICHITA, KS – A regional initiative to appoint more women to civic boards and commissions is now up and running in Wichita, and women interested in serving the public are encouraged to apply. The Appointments Project™, an initiative of the Women’s Foundation, is designed to increase the number of women serving on civic boards and commissions and recently expanded to Wichita with the support of Mayor Jeff Longwell.

Prospective appointees can learn more and express their interest in serving at: www.womens-foundation.org.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Appointments Project to Wichita and encourage all women interested in serving their communities to visit our website and fill out an application,” said Women’s Foundation President and CEO Wendy Doyle. “Having more women at the decision-making table will improve public policy and help local boards and commissions be more responsive and reflective of the communities they serve.”

“As a vibrant and growing city, Wichita is a great place to get involved in public service,” said Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell. “I’ve made it a priority to make sure city government reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and we’re proud to be teaming up with the Women’s Foundation to appoint more women to our city boards and commissions through the Appointments Project.”

Started in 2014, the Appointments Project is getting results with over 800 applicants with a total of 82 women appointed to Kansas and Missouri boards and commissions. In Kansas City, where the program was piloted, it has helped increase the percentage of women on city boards and commissions from 33-percent to 42-percent in just three years. Recently, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens acknowledged the importance of the Appointments Project and delivered on his commitment to appoint 30 women to statewide board and commission seats in 25 days in honor of Women’s Foundation’s 25th anniversary.

Support from the Kansas Health Foundation helped make the expansion possible to promote civic health.

In addition to Wichita, Women’s Foundation has existing partnerships with the City of Olathe, Kansas; the City of Topeka, Kansas, the State of Missouri; the State of Kansas; and other jurisdictions to address the lack of women on boards and commissions.

Learn more about the Appointments Project at http://www.womens-foundation.org/a-p/.

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.

Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project™ Expands Across Kansas with New Initiative

Women’s Foundation teams up with  League of Kansas Municipalities, Kansas State University and the Kansas Health Foundation to appoint more women to city, county, and state boards and commissions

Wichita, KS -- Today the Women’s Foundation, League of Kansas Municipalities, Kansas State University Extension and the Kansas Health Foundation announced a new partnership focused on expanding the Appointments Project™, an initiative designed to increase the number of women serving on civic boards and commissions. 

The League of Kansas Municipalities and its participating member cities, including Wichita, will work with the Women’s Foundation to encourage and promote board and commission vacancies be filled with diverse and underrepresented members of their communities.

“We’re excited to work with the League of Kansas Municipalities and Kansas State University Extension to increase the number of women and women of color who are at the decision-making table of their communities. Many of our city, county, and state boards and commissions do not reflect the communities they serve,” ” said Women’s Foundation President & CEO Wendy Doyle. “More than a nicety, including women in the process strengthens communities and is a best practice for good governance.” 

Started in 2014, the Appointments Project is getting results with over 800 applicants with a total of 82 women appointed to Kansas and Missouri boards and commissions. In Kansas City, where the program was piloted, it has helped increase the percentage of women on city boards and commissions from 33-percent to 42-percent in just three years. Recently, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens acknowledged the importance of the Appointments Project and delivered on his commitment to appoint 30 women to statewide board and commission seats in 25 days in honor of Women’s Foundation’s 25th anniversary.

“The League works everyday to strengthen the cities of Kansas and our partnership with the Women’s Foundation and their Appointments Project not only makes our communities stronger, but it addresses the critical issue of diversity in the civic arena,” said League of Kansas Municipalities Executive Director Erik Sartorius. 

Kansas State University Extension will offer civic leadership trainings to appointees and public officials.

“We’re thrilled to be a supporter of this statewide partnership,” said Tara Markley, county extension director for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. “We understand the need to have leaders who reflect the diversity of our communities. Our trainings will give local leaders the tools to better serve the state of Kansas. ”

Support from the Kansas Health Foundation helped make the expansion possible to promote civic health. 

“Diversity and inclusion are two hallmarks of democracy,” said Steve Coen, President and CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation. “Ensuring representation of all genders, races, ethnicities and backgrounds is vital for new ideas, fresh perspectives and respectable governance now and in the future.”

The partnership with League of Kansas Municipalities and Kansas State University Extension is one of several Appointments Project expansion efforts. The Women’s Foundation has existing partnerships with the City of Olathe, Kansas; the City of Topeka, Kansas, the State of Missouri; the State of Kansas; and other jurisdictions to address the lack of women on boards and commissions. Learn more about the Appointments Project at http://www.womens-foundation.org/a-p/. 

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.

Established by municipal officials in 1910, the League of Kansas Municipalities is a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of over 500 Kansas cities. The League works for its member cities through advocacy, legal advice, education and other services.  Follow the League of Kansas Municipalities on Facebook or Twitter.

The national Cooperative Extension Service was created in 1914 to assure that research-based knowledge developed by the country’s land-grant universities got delivered to the people at the county level. Along with research and teaching, K-State Research and Extension “extends” its resources through non-formal, non-credit educational programs delivered by university faculty called agents that reside in all 105 counties in Kansas.
 

New Rankings Highlight the Need to Reduce Occupational Licensing Barriers in Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Women’s Foundation today issued the following statement regarding a new report showing that Missouri’s occupational licensing laws for lower-income occupations are the 22nd most burdensome in the nation. 

“Starting a new career or business is hard enough without the added headache of wading through unnecessary and expensive occupational licensing regulations,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President and CEO. “This new report reinforces what our research has already shown about how occupational licensing burdens can restrict economic opportunity and worsen inequality. We will continue working with policymakers on sensible solutions that will reduce these barriers and make it easier for women to start their own businesses and pursue more flexible careers.”

— Wendy Doyle, Women's Foundation President & CEO

Women’s Foundation has been working with policymakers to reform occupational licensing regulations, which its research has shown can be a barrier for women trying to enter new professions or pursue more flexible careers.

The organization, which works to promote equity and opportunity for women of all ages, has outlined a number of potential solutions, such as waiving licensing fees for low-income job seekers and making it easier to transfer licenses across state lines, to ease occupational licensing burdens. 
 

Mayor Sly James Honored with He’s for Change Internship by Women’s Foundation

The internship was created to honor Mayor James’ partnership with Women’s Foundation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Women’s Foundation is creating a new internship in honor of Mayor Sly James and his work to empower women and increase the number of women serving on Kansas City’s public boards and commissions.  

The Mayor James – He’s for Change Internship, announced by the Women’s Foundation tonight at an event honoring Mayor James, will provide opportunities for interns to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations with a focus on promoting leadership and philanthropic education for women of all ages.  

Mayor James has been an avid supporter of Women’s Foundation initiatives, collaborating with the Women’s Foundation on the Appointments Project™ and When Work Works programs that  continue to make Kansas City, Missouri a better place for women and their families.  

“Mayor James has helped raise the bar for the entire region by championing women’s empowerment and promoting women in leadership roles.” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President and CEO. “As a tribute to his efforts, the Mayor James – He’s for Change Internship will provide greater opportunities for young people in the region to gain hands-on experience and cultivate the next generation of Kansas City leaders.”

The event featured a brief Q&A session between Mayor Sly James and Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President and CEO. The dialogue addressed the importance of public-private partnerships and highlighted the progress of the Women’s Foundation’s partnership with the James’ Administration.

Last month, Mayor James announced at the Women’s Foundation 25th Anniversary celebration that through their partnership on the Appointments Project™, he has increased female representation on Kansas City, Missouri’s boards and commissions from 33% in 2014 to 42% in 2017. 

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.
 

Four Reasons to be Optimistic About Gender Equity

Reading recent headlines, one could be forgiven for concluding that the march towards gender equity had slowed or even stalled.

Hundreds of women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment by male bosses and coworkers who preyed on them with near impunity.

Women are a majority of the population, but make up only 20 percent of corporate board seats and 6 percent of CEOs.  

And while the number of women serving in state legislatures has more than quintupled since 1971, most of that progress occurred before 2001. In Missouri and Kansas, less than a quarter of state legislators today are women.

But there are also reasons for optimism, especially here in the heartland, where women are stepping up to demand equity in the workforce and in the halls of power.    

Here are four signs of progress that we can build on as we strive to achieve equity for women.

1. Women are increasingly banding together to speak out and report sexual harassment in the workplace. This is essential to holding abusers accountable for their actions and sending a message that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. One way to continue this progress is to expand access to the tools and information women need to identify and report sexual harassment when it happens. Women’s Foundation recently teamed up with community partners in Missouri to create an online resource so that employers and interns have the tools to report, identify and prevent sexual harassment.   
 

2. Recent census data showed that the national gender pay gap decreased by the largest amount since 2007, with the female-to-male earnings ratio climbing to a record 80.5 percent. There is still more work to do, and by educating employers on best practices we can accelerate this progress and ensure that women finally receive equal pay for equal work.   

3. More women are raising their hands to serve in leadership positions. Thousands of women are running for state, local and federal office. One of our signature initiatives, the Appointments Project™, has received more than 700 applications and placed more than 82 women on boards and commissions in Missouri and Kansas.  In Kansas City alone, thanks to the leadership of Mayor Sly James, the percentage of women on city boards and commissions has gone from 33 percent to 42 percent in just three years. Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens also recently delivered on his commitment to appoint 30 women to statewide board and commission seats in 25 days in honor of Women’s Foundation’s 25th anniversary.
 

4. Women are also starting businesses at a faster rate than their male counterparts. Since 2007, the number of women-owned businesses in the United States has increased by a whopping 45 percent. Entrepreneurship is a critical avenue for women to pursue high-paying careers that are more rewarding and more flexible.  Sensible reforms to occupational licensing regulations could empower even more women to enter new professions and start their own businesses.

There are times when challenges facing women feel insurmountable. That's when it's most important to stay focused on our solutions, and the progress we can make – and are making. Whether it's putting a stop to sexual harassment in our workplaces, or closing the pay and leadership gaps, we're working towards solutions that will economically empower women in the Midwest and beyond.  Only then, will true equity be a possibility.

Read the original Huffington Post blog post here.