Appointments Project Receives Podcast Mention

Mary Jane Judy of Polsinelli mentions the Appointments Project during Country Club Bank’s ‘Banking on KC’ podcast. Listen as Kelly Scanlon talks to Mary Jane about why she’s so passionate about civic engagement.

Appointee Profile: Jacqueline Lightcap

Jacqueline Lightcap was appointed to the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board by Governor Laura Kelly.

Jacqueline was born and raised in Kansas, and currently resides in Topeka. Her education and professional experience is in print media, advertising, and marketing, and she now works part-time for the League of Women Voters of Kansas. In addition to raising two teenagers with her husband, Jacqueline serves on the local school board (USD 437, Auburn-Washburn), is a member of her local League of Women Voters, and co-chairs the statewide Centennial Celebration Committee, bringing awareness to the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment. She is also involved in the civic life of her community as a precinct committee woman.

“We created the Appointments Project® so local boards and commissions could reflect the communities they serve,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “I congratulate Jacqueline on her appointment and am confident her involvement will help strengthen the community by increasing gender parity at the decision-making table. When women lead, everyone wins.”

Women’s Foundation Applauds Passage of Expanded Professional Licensing Reciprocity in Missouri

Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women's Foundation and Zoraya Rowlands, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion of JE Dunn Construction watch as Missouri Governor Mike Parson signs House Bill 2046.

Today, pointing to research showing state licensing requirements have a disproportionate impact on women, Women’s Foundation applauded the passage of House Bill 2046, which expands Missouri's current licensure reciprocity rules to apply to occupations including nursing, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and cosmetology, among others, and also makes it easier for professionals licensed in other states to become licensed in Missouri.

“Moving across state lines shouldn’t mean losing your ability to earn a living, but that’s the reality many families face as a result of a patchwork of burdensome licensing requirements,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO.  “Our research shows that women are disproportionately affected when professional licensing requirements can’t be transferred from state to state. We thank Governor Parson, bill sponsor Representative Grier and senate handler Senator Bernskoetter for their commitment to helping women in Missouri achieve their economic potential and removing the harmful barriers that hold them back.”

Women’s Foundation research found that:

• In the US, in 2015, employed women were more likely to hold a certification or license than employed men (28.1% and 23.2%, respectively).

• The occupations in which workers are most likely to have a certification or license were healthcare and technical occupations (76.9 %), legal occupations (68.1 %), and education, training, and library occupations (55.5%). Many of these are women-dominated professions.

• Women are more likely to fill jobs in human service  occupations, like teaching, management or nursing professions, which have more geographic flexibility than male dominated professions like science or engineering. Because occupations traditionally held by women have a wider array of locations than traditionally male-dominated jobs, women are more likely to move for their partner’s profession.

“I am honored to make it easier for health care and other professionals to bring their skills and expertise to our state while boosting our health care capacity at this critical time,” Governor Parson said. “Signing HB 2046 will have a positive impact for women and families, and place Missouri in a leadership position to further develop economic growth and create opportunities for licensed professionals in our state.”

In April 2020, Women’s Foundation worked with Governor Parson in passing HB 1511 and HB1452, which allowed military spouses to move to Missouri without losing their professional licenses from other states. In 2018, the Women’s Foundation worked with the General Assembly to pass SB 843, which waived licensing fees for military families and low-income Missourians.

Women’s Foundation also supported passage of legislation to allow those seeking to pursue a career in hair braiding to complete an online video and obtain a certificate of registration. Previously, hair braiders had to complete over 1,000 hours of training for a cosmetology license, even though the training did not include hair braiding skills.

Women’s Foundation research into occupational licensing and reciprocity was prepared by the Institute of Public Policy in the University of Missouri’s Truman School of Public Affairs.

FOX 4: Jackson County now offering 12 weeks paid family leave for all full-time employees

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. — For Jackson County employees, it might be a good time to have a baby.

County Executive Frank White Jr. announced Wednesday they will offer 12 weeks of paid leave for both mothers and fathers. 

“Being there, providing for those who you love is not negotiable,” White said. “Every child deserves to be cared for when they need it.”

White enacted the policy by singing an executive order on the steps of the courthouse.

“It applies to all full-time eligible associates no matter their job, their salary, their race or sexual orientation,” White said. “It allows every parent or caregiver to have the time they need to bond, care and recover.”

Parents can use the time to bond with their newly born or adopted child. White said the time can be used all at once or intermittently.

The county worked with the Women’s Foundation to come up with the plan. President & CEO Wendy Doyle spoke at Wednesday’s press conference.

“No one should have to chose between caring for a child or paying the bills,” Doyle said. “We are elated to see this issue being prioritized in Jackson County.”

The county touts this as the most progressive plan in the state of Missouri. In 2018, Kansas City, Missouri, gave its full time employees seven weeks of paid parental leave. 

In Platte County, employees get 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and Clay County offers the same to employees who’ve been with the county longer than a year.

On the other side of the state line in Kansas, Johnson County offers four weeks of 80% of the employee’s salary. Overland Park offers 12 weeks unpaid leave to their employees.

Matt Davis works as a project manager for the Jackson County Parks & Recreation and has two young children.

“It just feels very special,” Davis said. “I feel like it’s a benefit that a lot of other people across this country don’t have. So to be able to have that as an associate of Jackson County, I feel very lucky. I feel a lot of gratitude. To have that time with my family is incredibly special.”

White said the goal is not only to give parents time with their kids, but to also give incentives to help retain employees over time. 

Jackson County Announces New 12-week Paid Parental Leave Policy

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., in coordination with the Women’s Foundation, announced today the most progressive paid parental leave policy for public employees in the State of Missouri.

Executive Order 20-10 establishes up to 12 weeks of guaranteed paid parental leave for all eligible County staff following the birth or adoption of a child. The new paid parental leave policy, which adds an additional seven weeks to the current policy of five weeks, extends to same sex parents and takes effect immediately.

“Lack of access to paid parental leave is a public crisis,” White said. “Many people struggle to care for their families, go into debt or even lose their jobs for simply having a baby. Being there, providing for those who they love is not negotiable. Today, we’re sending a message that families come first at Jackson County. We’re sending a message that quality of life for our associates is important to us.”

“Our new, expanded paid parental leave policy is equal, adequate and accessible. It ensures our Associates, no matter their job, salary or status, have the opportunity to be there for the most precious moments of their lives. With the support of the Women’s Foundation, we are proud to be a leader in this effort and encourage others to join us by taking a stand for working parents to build stronger families,” he said.

The County’s new paid parental leave policy includes:

• Up to 12 weeks of leave at 100% of the eligible staff member’s pay

• Applies to mothers and fathers equally, and to both parents if they are eligible County staff

• Can be taken all at once or intermittently

• An eligible staff member must start the paid leave within 12 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child

• Allows County staff who have experienced an eligible birth or adoption within the 12 months prior to the policy’s effective date to access additional paid leave

“Childbirth and parenting a newborn are physically and mentally hard. It takes time to heal, time to get on a schedule, time to prepare for childcare, time to care for a partner,” said Whitney Miller, new mother and Department of Collection Director. “New parents deserve the time to put all of their energy into their new baby so they can return to work feeling more prepared and focused. This new policy gives associates at every level of County employment just that and I hope today’s action by the County Executive encourages other public entities to follow his lead.”

According to Matt Davis, father of two and Parks + Rec Project Manager, “When children are born, it’s all hands-on deck for families. Having time to spend together and support each other makes the lives of mom, dad and baby less stressful and more joyful.”

“This new policy demonstrates that Jackson County values their associates and their families, is considerate of their health and well-being and is forward-thinking about policies to make this organization a better place to work. I’d like to commend the County Executive for his leadership and action on this important cause,” he said.

Expanding access to paid parental leave has been a top priority of the Women’s Foundation, which has been working to educate public officials on the importance of the benefit, advocating for 12 weeks of paid parental leave at 100% pay for state employees. As a result, the Women’s Foundation has helped secure paid parental leave to more than 100,000 state employees in Missouri and Kansas.

Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO said, “No one should have to choose between caring for a child and paying the bills. We are elated to see this issue being prioritized in Jackson County. Our research shows that paid leave is a win, win for families and employers. Offering enormous benefits for our economy and families and health.”

"Paid family leave empowers women, their families and helps build thriving communities,” she said. “The commitment County Executive White and his team have made to strengthen Jackson County’s economy and associates’ families sets a new standard for both state and local governments.”

Women’s Foundation research, commissioned in partnership with the University Of Missouri Institute Of Public Policy, found that paid leave programs prevent families from falling into poverty, reduce reliance on public assistance, recruit and retain talented employees and increase worker productivity. It also found about 35% of the country believes expanding paid leave should be a top government priority.

White’s announcement today comes on the heels of the County fully implementing the recommendations from a compensation study that ensured all county associates are making a competitive and living wage.

Women's Foundation: Our Commitment to Racial Justice

Ensuring that women are treated equally through economic opportunities and civic representation is a mission we've always fought for in order to make meaningful change.

But we know that we cannot achieve meaningful change for all women without equality for all. We stand in solidarity -- and as allies -- as we mourn the death of George Floyd. We will not have justice as long as Black women and their fathers, sons, brothers and uncles are targeted and unfairly impacted by systemic racism that underlies many of our laws and institutions.

Being treated unequally because of the color of your skin is not just a problem for Black people, it's a problem for every American to acknowledge, confront and reconcile.

We are committed to supporting our community so that we may grow and effectively end systemic injustices, and we pledge support for those working and protesting peacefully for equality and justice.

VIDEO: Fiscal Year-End Update with Wendy Doyle

Women’s Foundation Statement on Women’s Unemployment Rate Hitting Record High

KANSAS CITY – The Women’s Foundation today issued the following statement regarding new Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that the unemployment rate among women has increased to the highest rate on record. At 16.2 percent, women’s unemployment in April was nearly three points higher than men’s. This is the first time women have experienced an unemployment rate in the double digits since BLS began reporting data by gender in 1948.

“These alarming numbers confirm the warning signs our data identified early on and underscore the urgency of implementing policies that will support women and families during this difficult time,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “Women are experiencing an unemployment crisis unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes, with low-income women and women of color shouldering a disproportionate share of the burden. Now more than ever, policies like paid family leave are urgently needed to help women and families weather and recover from this unprecedented crisis.” 

Last month the Women’s Foundation and mySidewalk released new state-specific data and an interactive online dashboard demonstrating how women in Missouri and Kansas are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Among the key findings: 

• In Missouri and Kansas, nearly 8 in 10 healthcare professionals are women, slightly higher than the national average. Nationwide, women make up 75.3% of the healthcare workforce. In Missouri and Kansas, the percentage rises to 77.7% and 77.8% respectively. 

• Despite being the foundation of our healthcare response to the coronavirus, women are still paid less than men in many healthcare occupations. For example, women registered nurses in Missouri and Kansas make just 77 cents and 80 cents, respectively, for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. 

• Women in Missouri and Kansas also make up a majority of the service-sector employees that are being hit hard by the economic fallout of the virus. While women are 56.4% of all service-sector workers in the U.S. overall, that number rises to 57.7% in Missouri and 59.2% in Kansas. 

• Missouri has a higher share of women-owned small business owners than the national average. Women own 8.6% of firms nationwide, but 10.1% in Missouri and 7.6% in Kansas. 

• In Missouri and Kansas, 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 families, respectively, are single mother households. 

• Women in both states are less likely to be uninsured than men with 9 percent of women in Missouri and 8.3 percent of women in Kansas lacking health insurance.

Key policy recommendations: 

• Paid family and medical leave: Paid family and medical leave would allow people to take time off to care for a child or loved-one, or seek treatment for an illness, without sacrificing their income. The Women’s Foundation, which helped secure paid parental leave to more than 100,000 state employees in Missouri and Kansas, is advocating for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave at 100% pay for all part-time and full-time workers.
  

• Gender pay equity: The gender pay gap makes women even more vulnerable to economic downturns because they are paid less than their male counterparts. The Women’s Foundation advocates for salary history bans and funded pay negotiation workshops through AAUW to help close the pay gap and promote equal pay for equal work.
  

• Occupational licensing reform: The COVID-19 crisis has underscored the need for professional licenses to be more transferable and flexible, especially for medical professionals. The Women’s Foundation research has 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. 

Today’s report builds on previous research the Women’s Foundation has conducted in both Missouri and Kansas on the challenges and disparities facing women in both states. As part of its mission to use research and data to inform solutions and get results for women and families, the Women’s Foundation has commissioned numerous studies to identify areas of concern for women that require policy solutions.

For more information visit: http://www.womens-foundation.org/research  

About the Women’s Foundation 

The Women’s Foundation’s mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. We envision a world where all women are empowered to strengthen America’s economy and democracy.

About mySidewalk

mySidewalk is a city intelligence platform that helps analysts track, analyze, and communicate progress on department and community-wide goals. Their mission is to empower city leaders and the public with the most complete, clear, and real-time understanding of community data so they can improve and innovate together. You work hard for your data. What’s it doing for you? To learn more, visit the mySidewalk home page.

Appointments Project® Celebrates Ginger Williams, Appointed to The Kansas Volunteer Commission

Ginger Williams is the Vice President of Customer Care Operations with GEHA (Government Employees Health Association). In this role, Ginger has oversight and responsibility for multi-channel Call Center Services, Quality Assurance and Workforce Management. She is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration.

Ginger’s career has spanned over 20 years for industry-leading organizations including CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Ginger has applied her expert knowledge, market experience and relentless energy as a Transformational Leader to build top-notch Customer Service Teams. The foundational focus on People, Process, and Technology enables the delivery of a meaningful customer experience with high satisfaction and team engagement.

A believer in the principles of Servant Leadership, Ginger’s favorite quote by Maya Angelou is “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Ginger is passionate about serving and being a positive influence in the Community. She provides consultation for business owners via Proodus to assist them in creating value within their vision for success. Ginger also enjoys volunteering with Stone Church Neighborhood Dinner, Girl Scouts, SMSD Business Management & Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, and the Johnson County NAACP.

Appointments Project® Celebrates Mary McMurray, Appointed to The Kansas State Historic Sites Board of Review

McMurray is deeply committed to making the world a better place through an understanding of the past. She is the Director of the Johnson County Museum. Prior to joining the Johnson County Museum, McMurray served as Superintendent of Historic Sites & Outdoor Education for Jackson County Parks + Rec, Director of Learning & Engagement for the Truman Library Institute, and Director of The White House Decision Center at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

She also serves as a consultant for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and is active in the museum community, serving on the Jackson County Historical Society’s Board of Directors and participating in the Museum Educators Roundtable, KC IDEA Roundtable, and the Kansas City Social Studies Consortium. McMurray holds degrees in history from the University of Missouri — Columbia (B.A.), University of Missouri — Kansas City (M.A.), and the University of Kansas (Ph.D.). She lives in Prairie Village, KS with her husband, Sean Ewbank, and their daughter, Mabel.