Wendy Doyle: The “Pink Wave” of Women Leaders Will Lift All Boats

By Wendy Doyle | President & CEO, Women's Foundation

This month’s elections saw women breaking records and winning primaries up and down the ticket.

This “pink wave” is an exciting trend for those of us working to reduce barriers to women’s civic engagement. But even with a record number of women poised to take office next year, there is still much more work to be done to increase gender diversity at all levels of government.

Nearly 100 years after women gained the right to vote, women still make up only 20 percent of Congress and less than a quarter of the Missouri General Assembly. All statewide elected officials in Kansas are men. In Missouri, women occupy only two statewide elected offices. We must do better.

Women are woefully underrepresented in C-suites, too, despite having earned more college degrees than men for 30 years running. The New York Times found that there are almost as many men named John running large companies as there are women. Twenty-five Fortune 500 CEOs are women, 23 are named John.

That is why the Women’s Foundation is proud that so many state and local leaders have teamed with our Appointments Project® to help place more women on the public boards and commissions.

From housing and public health to economic development and occupational licensing, local boards and commissions perform vital functions that have far-reaching impacts. And too often, these decisions are being made in rooms that don’t reflect the diversity of the populations they serve.

The Women’s Foundation developed the Appointments Project® based on the findings of a first-of-its-kind study we commissioned that identified numerous barriers causing women to be underrepresented on public boards and commissions. These challenges ranged from complex structural barriers to simple ones, like women believing they won’t be asked to serve.

Since we launched the project in 2014, more than two dozen cities and states have signed on, placing more than 90 women on public boards and commissions.

This is good news – because the lack of gender diversity in the halls of power shouldn’t just concern women, but everyone interested in more effective, equitable policy solutions.

Research shows that in almost every scenario you can think of, having more diversity at the decision-making table increases effectiveness, productivity – and creativity as well. And more than just being at the table, it’s about being included and heard.

A study of 600 business decisions found that inclusive teams made better decisions 87 percent of the time and decisions made and executed by diverse teams delivered 60 percent better results.

The reason for this is simple: people with different perspectives and backgrounds identify solutions that others might not. As David Rock and Heidi Grant wrote for the Harvard Business Review, “working with people who are different from you may challenge your brain to overcome its stale ways of thinking and sharpen its performance.”

We also know that when women take on leadership roles, they have a proven track record of championing solutions that benefit women and men alike. Policies, like expanding access to paid family leave or reducing burdensome occupational licensing barriers, will help boost economic opportunity and improve work-life balance for everyone.

In other words, the “pink wave” of women candidates and officials will lift all boats. 

Together, we can continue to break down the barriers facing women and their families, and build a future of greater inclusion and opportunity for everyone.

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AAUW, Women’s Foundation and Mayor James Announce Initiative to Help Close the Gender Pay Gap with Salary and Benefits Negotiation Training

KANSAS CITY – The American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Women’s Foundation today joined Mayor Sly James to announce AAUW Work Smart in Kansas City, the first phase of a large-scale initiative to help close the gender pay gap by empowering 1 million women to successfully negotiate their salary and benefits across Kansas and Missouri.

Beginning with a pilot program in the Kansas City region, AAUW ultimately aims to provide salary and benefits negotiation training through their Work Smart program to more than one-third of the women ages 18-64 in Kansas and Missouri. Once fully implemented, it will be the largest, broadest salary negotiation initiative on record.

“The gender pay gap starts just one year out of college, and the disadvantages escalate over time,” said AAUW CEO Kimberly Churches. “The AAUW Work Smart program empowers women with the skills and confidence they need to negotiate a higher salary and good benefits right out of the gate. We’re thrilled that thanks to the Women’s Foundation and partners like Mayor James we’re able to offer this training to women in the Kansas City region and kick off the largest salary negotiation initiative on record.”

While women nationwide are typically paid 80 percent of what men are paid, women in Missouri and Kansas earn just 78 cents and 77 cents respectively, for every dollar earned by a man. Women of color experience pay gaps that are far wider. Missouri has a wider pay gap than 29 other states while Kansas ranks 37th.  

AAUW Work Smart first launched in Boston in 2015 and has since expanded to Washington, D.C., Tempe, Arizona, San Francisco, and Long Beach, California, as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Kansas City is the first AAUW Work Smart collaboration in the Midwest.

“Here in Kansas City we’ve worked hard to create a vibrant, diverse and inclusive economy – where everyone has a fair shot and an equal opportunity to succeed,” said Mayor Sly James. “The Work Smart Program will help build on the successful work we’ve done to break down the barriers women and underrepresented communities face, and help strengthen the financial security of families across the region.”

AAUW Work Smart in Kansas City is being launched with seed funding from the Women’s Foundation and will be offered through a combination of in-person workshops and online learning options (available starting in September 2018). The effort also includes training more than 400 individuals as facilitators in both states. The e-learning tool will also be available in Spanish in the coming months.

The initiative will help to close the gender pay gap, improving the lives of women and their families, increasing consumer spending with local businesses, and increasing local, county, and state tax revenue.

“Women in Kansas and Missouri are still making less than 80 cents of what men are paid – a pay gap that robs them of a small fortune over their lifetimes,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “AAUW’s Work Smart initiative complements the work we’ve done to educate employers and policymakers through our Pay Equity Best Practices, and we’re proud to help bring this valuable resource to the Kansas City region. We thank Mayor James for his partnership and commitment to empowering women and breaking down the barriers to economic opportunity.”

AAUW Work Smart Kansas City builds on efforts by the Women’s Foundation and Mayor James to empower women and break down the barriers that hold them back. In 2015, the Mayor unveiled city government’s blueprint for women’s empowerment, culminating a five-month-long collaboration between the Mayor’s Office, Central Exchange, the Women’s Foundation, and UMKC’s Women’s Center. Earlier this year, Women’s Foundation and the Office of Mayor Sly James were recognized for their collaborative work to increase diversity on local boards and commissions through the Appointments Project.

For more information, interested participants can visit: salary.aauw.org/KSMO

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Women’s Foundation Praises Attorney General for Dropping Defense of Outdated Licensing Law

KANSAS CITY – The Women’s Foundation today praised Attorney General Josh Hawley for withdrawing his defense of a state licensure law that will become obsolete once new reforms take effect on August 28.

The bipartisan reforms, which will allow Missourians to practice hair braiding without going through an expensive, burdensome and irrelevant licensing process, were informed by Women’s Foundation research showing occupational licensing laws can restrict economic opportunity and have a disproportionate impact on women.

“These occupational licensing reforms passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, and we thank the Attorney General for withdrawing his defense of this outdated and burdensome law,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “No one should be prevented from earning a living because of burdensome and arbitrary bureaucratic requirements. Hair braiders have waited long enough for the right to practice their profession. We urge the Board of Cosmetology to prepare to implement these long-overdue reforms without delay when they take effect on August 28.”

Women’s Foundation research found that occupational licensing, while intended to protect the safety and well-being of the public, can often create unnecessary barriers for women entrepreneurs by restricting entry and re-entry into professions, reducing employment, and creating economic inequity. This research shows removing these barriers will meet one of Women’s Foundation’s key goals of empowering more women to become entrepreneurs.

READ OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING & RECIPROCITY IN MISSOURI & THE U.S. HERE.
READ ALTERNATIVES TO OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING IN MISSOURI AND THE U.S.HERE.
READ THE "FACTS AND FINDINGS" SUMMARY 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.
 

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Women’s Foundation Celebrates Appointments Project® Milestone with 90th Appointee

Data shows the number of women candidates in the 2018 primary elections has increased in Missouri, but decreased in Kansas since 2016
 

KANSAS CITY – Ahead of Tuesday’s primary elections – when 264 women will be on the ballot in Kansas and Missouri – the Women’s Foundation announced the appointment of four women in Kansas and Missouri to public boards and commissions, bringing the total number of women appointed through the organization’s Appointments Project® to 90.  The Women’s Foundation celebrated the milestone with the appointments of Kaylee Peile, BreAnna Monk, Katherine Goad, and Monica Walker.
 
BreAnna Monk will be joining the Kansas Volunteer Commission. Kate Goad will be joining the Kansas Council on Travel and Tourism. Kaylee Peile will be joining the Kansas City History Preservation Board. And Monica Walker will be joining the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.
 
“This is a milestone for the Women's Foundation, and we couldn't have done it without the support of leaders, community members, and women across Kansas and Missouri who are diversifying and strengthening their communities," said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “I'm thrilled the Appointments Project® has given so many women the encouragement and tools they need to be successful.”
 
The Appointments Project® saw a 300% increase in the number of Appointments Project® locations in 2018, and the two dozen locations are now present in every congressional district of Kansas and Missouri.
 
Started in 2014, the Appointments Project® aims to remove barriers for women to serve on public boards and commissions so they are more reflective of the populations they serve. Based on a first-of-its-kind study that identified numerous barriers causing women to be underrepresented on public boards and commissions, the Appointments Project® serves as a talent bank and advisor for women seeking appointed positions in state and local government.
 
Women Candidates in Primary Elections
 
The Women’s Foundation also released an analysis showing that overall, there is a higher percentage of women running for Missouri offices in 2018 (25.02%) than 2016 (21.25%). However, in Kansas, both the total numbers of women running for office and the percentages of women running for office have decreased.

  

 Women Candidates 2016Women Candidates 2018

Missouri102 (21.25%)162 (25.02%)

Kansas136 (27.59%)102 (25.75%)

 

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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Appointee Profile: Chandra Clark

“The Women’s Appointment project provides us with a tremendous opportunity to make our voices heard. As women, it is imperative that we are actively engaging, serving and leading within our community. ”

— Chandra Clark

Chandra has been appointed to the Kansas City Chronic Nuisance Board and has over 18 years of experience in business development, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, education, entrepreneurship and community engagement.  She received her bachelor's of arts from UMKC and has a Master's in education from Rockhurst.

She currently works with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City, and previously was the Director of the LIFE Coach program of the Boys & Girls Club of Kansas City. Before that, she was the director of community relations at Newhouse Shelter.

Her personal passion is educating and empowering marginalized youth, adults abused as children and single parent households. She believes that it is imperative to use fashion, art and writing as a platform to inspire hope, healing and creativity throughout the world. She's honored to serve as a community adovcate and leader in the city of Kansas City and beyond.

Appointee Profile: Jamie (Buki) Crispin

Jamie was appointed to the  City of Topeka Human Relations Council.

She has over six years of experience in volunteer management. She received her Bachelor's of Arts in Spanish and sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master's in sociology from Warwick University.

She currently supports volunteer organizations across the state with federal grants and resources with the Kansas Volunteer Commission, and is part of the adjunct faculty at the Baker University School of Professional and Graduate Studies in Topeka.

Appointee Profile: Kaylee Peile

Kaylee was just appointed to the Kansas City Historic Preservation Board and is an active community member in the Kansas City community. She has recently begun a new career path at the Kansas City Social Innovation Center as a Portfolio Catalyst.

KCSIC is a nonprofit impact agency with a mission to create economic opportunity and social impact by advancing innovation in learning, workforce development, and human capital initiatives in an age of digital transformation.

Kaylee holds a BA in History from Quincy University and an MA in History from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She is a volunteer for Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and recently became the newest commissioner for the Kansas City Historic Preservation Commission. 

Women’s Foundation Praises City Council Move to Combat the Gender Pay Gap by Removing Salary History from Employment Applications

KANSAS CITY – Adding to the growing momentum behind gender pay equity in the workplace, the Kansas City Council today unanimously passed a resolution calling for the removal of salary history from city employment applications. Under an amendment offered by Councilwoman Jolie Justus, the resolution will also apply to city contractors and vendors, sending a message to the private sector about the need to address the gender pay gap and ensure pay equity in the workplace.

“Our research shows the gender pay gap remains a pressing issue for families in the region, and it’s great to see the Kansas City Council tackling it head-on,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “This resolution will help break the cycle of pay inequity and ensure women applicants aren’t held back by their previous salaries. We thank Councilwoman Justus and the rest of the Council for sending a strong message that Kansas City is committed to breaking down barriers to equity and ensuring equal pay for equal work. We encourage all employers – public and private – to follow Kansas City’s lead and take steps to combat pay disparities in the workplace.”

The ordinance notes that research has shown that the practice of asking for past and current salary information by prospective employers may perpetuate gender and racial disparities in compensation.

The most recent analysis from the Women’s Foundation and the University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy shows women in Missouri who work full-time, year-round, earn 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. Women in Kansas are paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to men.

In 2015, in an effort to close the gender pay gap, Women's Foundation developed pay equity best practices in partnership with the University of Missouri. The Pay Equity Best Practice Guidelines seek to improve standards for pay equity and achieve measurable results with three best practices for employers in both the private and public sectors:
 
Employers Should Determine if Gender-Based Pay Disparities Exist
Reevaluate the Current Pay System from an Equity Perspective
Promote and Ensure Pay Transparency
 
The full report and guidelines are available at http://www.womens-foundation.org/equal-pay/
 

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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   
 

Appointee Profile: BreAnna Monk

BreAnna was appointed to the Kansas Volunteer Commission. BreAnna is a very “Community-Focused Volunteer” and sees this new board appointment as a way to take her view of volunteerism to the next level.

She has over 12 years of experience in developing strategic direction, human resources, sales, recruiting plans and delivering solutions and services to clients across Kansas. BreAnna received her Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Friends University and graduated with her MBA Friends University in 2016. 

Currently, BreAnna volunteer activities range from being a mentor with high school students – assisting seniors with healthcare – planning Wichita festivals – volunteering with several domestic violence prevention programs - a member of the Rotary and many more.

Appointee Profile: Kate Goad

“I’m continually impressed by all of the amazing things that Kansas has to offer. My love of Kansas and my love of travel can combine to show the rest of the country just how cool Kansas is.”

— Katherine Goad

Kate has been appointed to the Council on Travel and Tourism. Kate is passionate about Kansas — she grew up in the state but left the state for a few years for her career and later returned to establish her roots. Now, she's a long-time volunteer, runs a blog called The Accidental Homesteader – and was a member of the Junior League for 15 years. 

She practiced for ten years in estate and business planning before moving into corporate training. She currently writes training for the National Association of Tax Professionals (~20K members or so). In addition to her work, Kate and her husband and live on 3 acres in Harvey County on which they have bees and chickens, and hope to raise goats.

She belongs to the MakeICT makerspace, a cooperative that provides a space for members to create pretty much anything they want. There's a woodshop, metalshop, fabrication lab (3D printers and laser cutters), jewelry shop, screenprinting, textiles, electronics, rapid prototyping, and ceramics. She volunteers her time with them to increase membership and teach classes.

As a native, Kate views it as her responsibility to serve her community, county, and state. She believes her enthusiasm to discover the state better will be useful on this commission.