From Our President & CEO: Representation Matters
June is always an important month to me. It represents progress and hope for more change by recognizing some of the most important groups in our communities. In these 30 days, we recognize the passing of Title IX, Juneteenth and Pride. Each of these celebrations elevates those who have historically been underrepresented in the public and private sectors.
I believe the one thing that truly brings us all together is that we are all different. It is our differences that make a community full of potential.
Passing of Title IX
On June 23, 1972, the Education Amendments of 1972 were passed, also known as Title IX. This important civil rights law prohibits discrimination based on gender in schools. Among other important rights, it required women and girls to be given equal opportunities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Today, 50 years after its passing, women make up only 28% of our nation’s private-sector workforce in STEM fields.
I was surprised to realize this statistic mirrors the percentage of women in Congress nearly identically. Perhaps there is a lesson for us to learn between the connection of STEM and civic engagement as we continue to educate more girls of these opportunities.
Juneteenth
This month we also pause to recognize the history of Black individuals in our nation. Juneteenth is an important holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. While today’s Congress is more diverse than ever, it is still disproportionately more white men compared to the overall U.S. population. Some progress we must celebrate is the increase of Black individuals in the House of Representatives. Now, 13% of House members are Black, equal to the share of Black Americans. However, The Pew Research Center expects the Black population to grow to 59 million by 2050. We must continue to elevate and support this community that has decades of barriers to overcome.
PRIDE
Of course, we cannot forget the importance of the LGBTQIA+ individuals in our community. Pride month is recognized every June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. It was a key tipping point of liberation. While 8% of the U.S. population identifies as LQBTQIA+, only 2% is represented in Congress.
Representation is the cornerstone of true democracy and equity. While we celebrate this month, our work doesn’t start or stop in June. We must all continue to vote, encourage participation in civic leadership and take action to further increase representation at the local, state and federal level.
Learn more about serving on a board or commission for your city, state or county here.
Expansion of Kansas Law Will Provide Relief During Childcare Crisis
Governor Kelly Signing Bill 2237 Childcare
House Bill 2237 signed today by Governor Kelly expands childcare tax credits to individuals. This important legislation will provide relief to Kansas families impacted by the childcare crisis. The law previously incentivized businesses to provide childcare stipends by allowing them to claim up to 50% of expenses paid to childcare providers. The expansion now includes individuals and families, who can claim up to 30% of expenses starting this year.
Current infant care in Kansas is nearly 30% of a women’s income, creating a significant financial burden for families. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, childcare is considered affordable if it costs no more than 7% of the family’s income. At this time, only 8% of Kansas families can afford childcare.
The law, which was an innovative solution combining public and private resources to support Kansas families, is now even better.
Donor Profile: A Legacy of Giving Forward
Long-time United WE/Women’s Foundation supporter, Lisa Gioia, is an enthusiastic believer that the more you give, the more joy you receive.
“I have been incredibly fortunate in my life to have been given opportunities to learn to give,” said Lisa. “My mom and dad always taught my brother and I about giving. I later learned so much from being involved with the Women’s Foundation, now United WE. It gave me an opportunity to learn, but also to give forward.”
“Imagine our future if everyone gave forward – our world could be so much more equitable. Giving to United WE really IS working for change.”
Lisa has given forward with her time, talents and treasure to advance women in our community for more than 20 years. It all started when she joined the 360 Degrees of Giving circle, which was the monthly donor circle for the Women’s Foundation at the time. She later became a charter member of Voices in Philanthropy and served on United WE’s board. As a CPA and financial management consultant specializing in non-profit accounting, Lisa’s passions aligned when she was asked to serve as board treasurer.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to give of my time and talents to advance women. I gain so much knowledge, new talents and blessings in return. Giving to United WE has actually been a great gift to me.”
Lisa is also a founding member of United WE’s Legacy Society, making a gift in her estate to help fund United WE’s future.
“United WE is a huge gift to donors like me – it gives us the opportunity to give back for change, especially for the next generation of women. I appreciate how the Women’s Foundation has evolved to United WE to stay relevant with what the needs of women are today. Change is hard, but necessary,” remarked Lisa.
When asked why supporting the advancement of all women’s economic and civic leadership is so important to her, Lisa reflected on the importance of change and progress. “I think about the name of the annual event - We Work for Change – and the meaning of those words. The work of United WE brings about change that makes our world a more positive place, especially in diversity, equity and inclusion. Imagine our future if everyone gave forward – our world could be so much more equitable. Giving to United WE really IS working for change.”
Thank you, Lisa, for your years of leadership and inspiration to give forward!
We invite you to join Lisa and other individuals who have made plans to empower the next generation of women by making a gift in their estate to United WE. An estate gift is a straightforward way to make an impact and can be as simple as designating United WE as beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan. Estate gifts can be any amount that is meaningful to you! If you have already included United WE in your estate plan and have not yet notified us of your intention, please let us know so we can recognize you as a Legacy Society member, like Lisa. Please contact Angie Heer, Chief Development Officer, for more information.
From Our President & CEO: Amplifying Women’s Voices to Drive Impact
Amplify am·pli·fy
to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity)
I talk about listening often. Not because it’s something we should do, but because it’s something we must do. It is by far the most powerful yet overlooked way to make meaningful change. Making assumptions is one of the most harmful things we can do when leading a movement and taking action to improve lives. We must slow down, actively listen and amplify the voices we hear.
Our data shows that women don’t often get the opportunity to talk about economic issues. This does not sit right with me, so I have made listening a key step in our three-part formula for change. If you aren’t familiar with this formula, it’s incredibly simple, yet deeply effective:
Research
Solutions
Results
Last year we listened to hundreds of women in Missouri about their socioeconomic challenges. The Missouri Town Halls report provided a summary of our findings, identifying opportunities for impact to increase equity and grow Missouri’s economy through more women in the workforce. I’m grateful to the countless women who spoke with us. Thanks to these Missouri women’s voices, we are amplifying concerns and advocating for change, creating a model that can be replicated and scaled.
Now is a critical time for us to use this model as we examine the challenges for women in Kansas this year. As much as I would like it to, this doesn’t happen overnight - and before any solutions can be pursued, we must know absolutely everything we can about the issues women in Kansas are facing. At United WE, this does not include assumptions. Our actions are always rooted in facts and data.
For us, research is two-fold. First, we partner to conduct quantitative research that leads to comprehensive reports. Like this one by the University of Kansas. Next, we formalize our listening with qualitative research by meeting women where they are and creating safe spaces for honest conversations. This summer, I am eager to share that we are hosting a three-month traveling listening session called the Kansas Town Halls.
Research
Quantitative: Status of Women in Kansas
Qualitative: Kansas Town Halls
Solutions
Results
Our goal of the Kansas Town Halls is to embed those voices and experiences into the Solution phase of the formula, which is bipartisan policy reform. We’ll be asking questions to help reveal the greatest workplace and entrepreneurship barriers Kansas women are facing, including childcare, paid family leave, broadband access and more.
But, one of my favorite byproducts of the conversations is the validation the women feel. You are not alone. You are not the only one struggling with childcare. You are not the only one thinking about caring for aging parents as you fall asleep. While we are all different, many are all deeply impacted by the same issues. That’s why our work is nonpartisan and focused on all women. Regardless of political beliefs, we are all intimately connected by daily issues that need to - and can - be changed.
Today we see our work positively impacting hundreds of thousands of women and families. But our successes wouldn’t exist without direct input from the people whom we serve: women.
If you live in Kansas, learn more and RSVP for a Town Hall near you here.
Fondly,
Wendy D. Doyle
United WE President & CEO
Governor Kelly Signs Kansas Heroes Scholarship Bill
Today we celebrate another win for Kansas families. The Hero’s Scholarship, formerly known as the Wartime Survivors and First Responders Bill was signed into law. It clarifies the definition of disability and spouse, as well as raises the $350,000 annual monetary cap to $500,000. This bill expands the law providing post-secondary tuition assistance for a spouse or dependent of an emergency service provider or military service member who died while in the line of duty to include public service employees and those disabled while performing duties.
United WE Hails Missouri Passing Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant
Today Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE released a statement in response to Missouri’s passing of the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant:
“This financial aid program addresses workforce needs by helping adults pursue professional certificates, degrees or credentials and the majority of recipients of this benefit are women. This program is extremely meaningful for women looking to reenter the workforce - and from what women across the state have told us, we need more of these types of solutions.
As shared in our research, Missouri women are speaking out to say they want to participate in the economy, but there are structural barriers keeping them from participating fully or succeeding. We are encouraged to see the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant serve as a policy solution to improve women’s economic wellbeing across the state. The strength of Missouri’s economy and democracy depends upon women’s full participation, and we’re determined to advance this.
Eligible Missourians can learn more and apply for the grant here.”
Press Release: United WE Launches Kansas Women’s Economic Development Task Force and Town Hall Series to Unlock Kansas Women’s Economic Potential
Women-led task force of entrepreneurs and civic and business leaders will conduct statewide town halls to study barriers to women’s economic participation in Kansas
United WE, a nonpartisan nonprofit with a mission to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership, is launching a Kansas Women’s Economic Development Task Force to study issues related to women’s participation and advancement in the workforce. A Town Hall Series will be hosted across Kansas this summer by United WE and the Task Force to identify barriers impacting women in the workplace and entrepreneurship, including childcare, paid family leave, broadband access, and more.
The strength of the Kansas economy and democracy depends upon women’s full participation. The McKinsey Global Institute found that Kansas could grow its economy by 10-15% by 2025 if women’s participation in the workforce increased.
“There are structural barriers that are preventing women – and in turn the state of Kansas – from realizing its potential,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “With support from our impressive women-led Task Force, this Town Hall Series is a sharing and listening opportunity for all women and allies across the state to unite and be heard. When women succeed economically, their families succeed, their communities succeed, and their state succeeds.”
The data collected via qualitative research during the Town Halls will culminate into a comprehensive report outlining the key barriers women in Kansas face toward economic and civic parity. The task force will also draw on existing research commissioned by United WE, including The Status of Women in Kansas research report. The Town Hall report will be released publicly in November 2022 and used to educate policymakers and influence change for women in Kansas.
The Task Force launched last week with a virtual meeting and includes 33 civic and business leaders and elected officials from across the state:
Alise Martiny, Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council
April Henry, Kansas Board of Regents
Brenda Bandy, Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
Senator Carolyn McGinn, Kansas State Senator
Cassie Bicknell, Mariner Wealth Advisors
Christina Long, Create Campaign
Dornella Leal, Kansas Association of Counties
Ebony Clemons-Ajibolade, Evergy
Emily Snyder, IBEW Local 124
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, Kansas People of Color
Glenda Washington, Greater Topeka Partnership
Hannah Larrick, Veterans United Home Loans
Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho, Idea Tek and Mayor of Hutchinson
Jessica Hunt, Patterson Family Foundation
Joni Cobb, Center for American Entrepreneurship
Joy Broils, Hustle & Ground
Julie Turnipseed, Anderson County Development Agency
Karyn Page, Envision, Inc.
Kathy Larson, Ash Grove Cement Company
Katie Whisman, Katie Whisman Consulting and Prairie Fire Strategies
Katrina Abraham, Cerner Corporation
Kelli Cobb, HC. Cattle Company
Lara Krug, Kansas City Chiefs
Lauren Driscoll, City of Salina
Lisse Regehr, Thrive Allen County
Molly Haase, AdventHealth
Nancy Daniels, Kansas Extension
Paula Landoll-Smith, Landoll Enterprises
Racquel Thiesen, Kansas Leadership Center
Councilwoman Sara Caylor, City of Ottawa and League of Kansas Municipalities
Shanna Adamic, Cerner Charitable Foundation
Sherriene Jones-Sontag, Kansas Chamber
Sierra Bonn, Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead!
With leadership from the Task Force and in strategic partnership with The League of Kansas Municipalities, six town hall discussions will take place from June to August 2022. Sessions are free, open to the public, and include moderated breakout sessions led by community leaders, local journalists, and business leaders. Complimentary professional childcare (ages 0+), lunch, and a $10 gift card for participation are provided. The Town Hall series is made possible through generous funding by the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation.
The following Town Halls are planned and open for registration:
SW Kansas (Garden City) – Wednesday, June 29: Register
SC Kansas (Wichita) – Thursday, July 14: Register
SE Kansas (Pittsburg) – Wednesday, August 3: Register
Statewide Virtual – Wednesday, August 24: Register
To learn more about United WE, the Task Force and Kansas town halls, visit www.united-we.org/townhalls.
Amplifying Women’s Voices and Futures
Last year, The DeBruce Foundation sponsored 150 youth at our We Work for Change event, allowing attendees a professional development opportunity to learn from women leaders about equity and empowerment. This is just one of many ways The DeBruce Foundation supports our mission to overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership.
Through our research, we found that one of the systemic barriers facing women is a lack of representation where policy decisions are made that affect our day-to-day lives. One solution to this barrier is United WE’s Appointments Project. Launched seven years ago in Kansas City, our Appointments Project has, to date, facilitated 180 women to be appointed in 34 cities, 6 counties, and 3 states nationwide. Through the program, we empower women to serve on civic boards and commissions, where they have the power to affect decisions about public health, infrastructure, economic development, schools, and more. When women are at the table, we all win.
Together, to increase gender equity on civic boards and commissions, United WE and The DeBruce Foundation are eager to announce their newest partnership: including the Agilities Framework into the Appointments Project® curriculum to further prepare women for civic leadership in 2022.
As women navigate the appointment process through a series of mentorship sessions and trainings, they will now also be learning about their Agilities. Future appointees will take The DeBruce Foundation’s Agile Work Profiler (AWP), an innovative tool that generates affirmation and awareness of one’s skills and interests. It will reinforce the strengths and skills of each woman and further define their unique skills to improve their community.
Approaching women’s economic challenges from multiple angles is the only way to truly remove them once and for all. Using the Agilities to help women leaders grow is a new angle, and one about which we are eager.
While United WE and The DeBruce Foundation are tackling root issues of gender and economic inequity, change is not possible without your action. Learn more about The DeBruce Foundation’s Agilities here and United WE’s Appointment Project® here. United, we can expand economic growth and opportunity.
Photo Caption: We Work for Change 2020 Event Leadership
L to R: Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, Linda DeBruce, Lindsey Smith (standing), Paul DeBruce and Wendy Doyle, United WE CEO.
From Our President & CEO: Allyship for Equity
Our team is always focused on allyship. We regularly talk with people who are champions for women’s equality, advocates of our work online and offline, and generous supporters of our events. But what does it mean to be an ally for women? It can mean many things. An ally could challenge state laws and policies on paid family leave, equal pay, or occupational licensing. An ally could listen to women about challenges and opportunities in their communities and across the nation. And an ally could follow us on social media to learn how our work – and the work of policymakers and inspiring champions for women – is improving lives and outcomes for families.
I’m reminded that we have many allies at United WE. Thank you to the women – and men – who support our mission throughout the year. I want to recap a few recent highlights from conversations we’ve had with our network of allies, and inspire you to join us as we unite for change.
United We Champion: Discussions with Allies
From Left: Chris Long, Angie Long, Wendy Doyle, Mark Donovan; Image via Morgan Miller Photography
This week was our Champion Breakfast, an annual event where we celebrate the impact of women and men in advancing gender equity. Thank you to Bank of America, our presenting sponsor, and Kathy and Mark Donovan for hosting. Attendees learned behind-the-scenes details of the Kansas City Chiefs organization, and Kansas City Current owners Angie and Chris Long shared their amazing journey of lifting up women’s professional sports to new heights. We are thrilled that women’s professional sports are being elevated in Kansas City through the new stadium plans for KC Current; this women’s soccer team is not only raising the bar in terms of economic opportunity, but also inspiring the next generation of boys and girls in supporting women’s sports. Prior to the event, we conducted an informal public opinion poll with some future leaders and sports fans.
Here are a few things we learned:
“Having a women’s soccer team shows that women can do anything men can. And it shows that Kansas City is cool enough to have something that special!” – Vivian, age 8
“It’s cool to see people like you doing professional sports.” – Eliza, age 9
“The matches are always interesting, because the way they play is a lot different than other teams. Also, their colors are perfect.” – Abram, age 10
Thank you to the champions who joined us for this event, and for their generous support in creating more opportunities for women to have a seat at the table – and on the field.
United We Listen: Status of Women in Oklahoma
This week we held a virtual press conference to unveil findings from our Status of Women in Oklahoma research. For more than 30 years we’ve been making meaningful change across Kansas, Missouri and beyond. We are eager to move our mission into Oklahoma, and serve as an ally and advocate for more opportunities for women across the state.
Our key findings detail the disparities and opportunities in employment and earnings, childcare, health care, poverty and social insurance, and civic engagement. Here are a few examples:
Women in Oklahoma earn 74.5 cents for every dollar a man earns; this is less than the national average of 80.8 cents per dollar for women.
Childcare is unaffordable for many families, where the average annual cost of care is more expensive than in-state tuition at a four-year public college.
One-fifth of Oklahoma legislators are women, far lower than the national average.
I believe it is our collective responsibility to educate elected officials and community leaders as we get to work in impacting systemic change. Take a look at the press conference recap and report findings here.
United We Lead: Join Us This September
I encourage you to join hundreds of women and allies at our signature We Work for Change event on September 21. This year marks a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear retired Lieutenant General Nadja West speak. As the first African American Army Surgeon General, the first African American woman 3-star General, and the highest-ranking woman graduate from West Point, her story will inspire you to lead unlike ever before.
This year’s event will be held in-person at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you to honorary chairs Dan Cranshaw and Mary Jane Judy for joining us as longtime supporters and allies, and to our 2022 co-chairs Jenny Housley and Qiana Thomason.
Learn more about Nadja West and get the latest information on sponsors, tickets and details here. We look forward to seeing you in September!
Thank you to the countless allies who remind us of the value and impact of our work. Our successes would not be possible without your support, and I look forward to forging new paths with you in board rooms, communities, and homes across the nation.
Fondly,
Wendy
Donor Profile: Ash Grove Charitable Foundation Funds Oklahoma Expansion
Mark Meads
President, Ash Grove Charitable Foundation
The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation has a long history of supporting qualifying public charities in the communities served by the Ash Grove Cement Company, one of the largest cement companies in the United States. As a supporter of United WE for nearly a decade, Ash Grove has long embraced our mission to advance opportunities for women.
“Ash Grove plays an important part in the foundation and infrastructure of our country – and this includes the advancement of women,” said Mark Meads, president of the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation.
Through his work, Mark and the Foundation have been allies in helping United WE’s mission evolve and grow. Most recently, the Foundation funded United WE’s expansion into Oklahoma (where Ash Grove has business locations and customers) by making the Status of Women in Oklahoma research possible in partnership with Oklahoma State University. “It’s exciting for me to see the expansion of United WE’s mission into more communities and the significant impact being made to advance women’s economic and civic leadership to make meaningful change,” said Meads. “United WE’s model of utilizing qualitative and quantitative research to identity barriers for women, and then define innovative solutions, works. I am confident the fruits of this research will create opportunities that will empower more women in Oklahoma.”
“We are grateful for the support of the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE president and CEO. “Research is the first step to true, sustainable change, as it identifies specific barriers to women’s economic development and spurs the development of smart, practical solutions to overcome them. The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation’s support of the Status of Women in Oklahoma demonstrates the power of partnerships in transforming the futures of Oklahoma women.”
As a male ally, Mark Meads knows there is a role for all – women and men to play in the advancement of women.
“We are all responsible for recognizing the ways women are being held back and take action to correct it. When we all work together so more women can participate in the economy, our families and communities thrive.”
You can read the recently released Status of Women in Oklahoma research here.
Media Inquiries:
dmc@united-we.org