Press Release: North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership and United WE Partner to Appoint More Women to Boards and Commissions

United WE’s Appointments Project® Announces Expansion to North Carolina 

Kansas City, MO – North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership (N.C. IOPL) and United WE today announce their collaborative partnership to increase the number of women on local boards and commissions through the Appointments Project®. Started in 2014, the Appointments Project® has successfully placed more than 180 women on boards and commissions. 

“With our Woman on Board initiative, we focus our nonpartisan leadership training on increasing gender parity in public service and ensuring that we’re drawing on the talents and diversity of all our residents,” said Brad Young, Executive Director of N.C. IOPL. “Our partnership with United WE and Appointments Project® is strengthening our effort by increasing the number of women who are at the decision-making table of their communities.”

United WE’s Appointments Project® serves as a talent bank, advisor and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The award-winning approach guides women through the process of applying for these positions and suggests applicants for appointment.

“Our research showed us that women don’t become civically engaged because they weren’t being asked. As a result, we created the Appointments Project® so local boards and commissions could reflect the communities they serve,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “With the help of partners like N.C. IOPL, we are addressing the gender disparities in local leadership and able to make real changes in our communities.” 

The Appointments Project® fills a critical need in creating a pathway to more equitable and inclusive representation. Approximately 42% of the Appointments Project® registrants are women of color. Based on a growing number of success stories and city partnerships, the pipeline of women leaders is growing rapidly across the country. 

“A virtual public training event is planned for January 24, 2023, at 12 pm. EST. We encourage and invite everyone to learn more and join us in unlocking women’s potential for civic leadership,” said Brad Young.

To register for the virtual training event on January 24, 2023, visit here. To learn more about the Appointments Project®, visit www.united-we.org/appointments-project. 


United WE, Lieutenant Governor Kehoe, and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Spotlight Benefit Plan Resource for Childcare Providers

Research, Listening Session Point to Lack of Healthcare Benefits as Barrier to Childcare Workforce Recruitment and Retention

KANSAS CITY, MO – December 15, 2022 – Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, United WE and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry today held a press conference to spotlight issues related to the childcare workforce crisis and resources that can help, such as the Chamber Benefit Plan, a healthcare insurance opportunity for some childcare providers. 

Research jointly released last year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Missouri Chamber — and in partnership with United WE — revealed that childcare challenges are costing Missouri an estimated $1.35 billion annually for the state’s economy. 

In addition, United WE’s Status of Women Report along with town hall meetings across the state, pointed to lack of quality childcare as a major barrier for women to enter or re-enter the workforce. The report also found that since COVID, more than 400 childcare providers in Missouri have closed with no plans to reopen, exacerbating what was already a supply and demand issue.

In response to these data, and at the request of Lieutenant Governor Kehoe, United WE partnered with the Missouri Department of Early and Secondary Education to facilitate a listening session with employers, childcare providers, insurance providers, and policy experts to better understand the childcare workforce development challenges. The listening session revealed that one of the greatest barriers to recruitment and retention of the childcare workforce is affordable healthcare benefits.  

“Without a workforce to care for our children, we can never fully address this crisis,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “We’re here to raise awareness of how the childcare crisis is impacting women and our economy, to continue the conversation of how to keep removing barriers, and to make sure people are aware of some resources available.”

“When it comes to being able to attract and retain a childcare workforce, benefits like health insurance are really important,” said Daniel Mehan, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “One of the ways we can help is by getting out the word on resources that are currently available to childcare providers, like the Chamber Benefit Plan. The Chamber Benefit Plan gathers thousands of Missouri’s small employers in one purchasing group, thereby driving down costs.”

“It will take partnerships and practical solutions to solve Missouri’s childcare crisis. Our office is committed to continue working with United WE, the Missouri Chamber, and our partners to assist childcare providers,” said Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. “The Chamber Benefit Plan is another tool for childcare providers to recruit and retain a quality workforce, ultimately helping Missouri reach its full economic potential.”

The Missouri Chamber offers the Chamber Benefit Plan for small group employers in Missouri who are members of a qualifying chamber of commerce and have 2 to 50 eligible employees. The Chamber Benefit Plan offers one possible solution for childcare providers and is just a first step for identifying solutions amid the childcare crisis. To learn more about the Chamber Benefit Plan, visit chamberbenefitplan.com.

About United WE

United Women’s Empowerment, or United WE, is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Since 1991, United WE has overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership by investing in research, advocacy, and policy solutions. We have conducted 24 meaningful research studies, advocated for issues resulting in 55 policy actions, and supported more than 185+ civic appointments. Our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of women and families by commissioning transformative research, scaling our fast-growing Appointments Project®, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing; and aid in fighting against sexual harassment. Unite with us. Visit www.united-we.org and connect with @UnitedWeEmpower on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest business association in Missouri. Together with the Missouri Chamber Federation, the Missouri Chamber represents more than 75,000 employers. To learn more, go to www.mochamber.com.

 

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United WE Reveals Findings from Kansas Town Hall Series Studying Women’s Economic Potential

Research report data highlights barriers impacting women’s workforce participation in Kansas and key opportunities for impacting change 

KANSAS CITY, MO – November 15, 2022 – Today, United WE revealed findings from its Kansas Town Hall series, a sharing and listening initiative to identify barriers impacting women in the workplace and entrepreneurship. The research report features experiences from women across Kansas and will be used to educate community leaders and policymakers and influence change. 

With leadership from the Kansas Women’s Economic Development Task Force, a group of 34 civic, business leaders and elected officials, and strategic partner Kansas League of Municipalities, United WE invited women and allies to participate in seven town hall discussions across the state between June and August. Sessions included in-person and virtual discussions, surveys and anonymous polling to gather both qualitative and quantitative data, with more than 500 people attending from diverse industries and backgrounds. 

“The goal of the Town Halls was to embed stories from real women in Kansas into our bipartisan policy reform efforts,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “Thanks to our  dynamic Task Force and our generous partners, these sessions allowed us to actively listen and amplify women’s voices. We are now uniquely positioned to advocate for change on the greatest workplace and entrepreneurship barriers Kansas women are facing.” 

The initiative was made possible by sponsors, including the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation, Bicknell Family Foundation, The Patterson Family Foundation and United Healthcare. “United WE’s research-based approach to improving economic opportunities for women is important to our organization. We know when women succeed, entire communities are improved,” said Mark Meads, president of the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation. 

Through this effort, seven areas were identified as key opportunities for impact:

  • Childcare

  • Broadband Access

  • Entrepreneurship

  • Occupational Licensing 

  • Healthcare

  • Paid Family Leave & Family-Friendly Policies

  • Pay Equity & Financial Stability 

“I left the workforce after I had my second child and didn't return until after my 4th child went to preschool because it was too expensive to pay for childcare,” said one Kansas woman. Childcare is one area where United WE is uniquely positioned for impact; the Kauffman Foundation has funded the Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, a multi-pronged effort to eliminate childcare barriers in Kansas and on a national level.

Additional Community partners included Fort Hays State University, Garden City Community College, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. 

With the research release, United WE will use the data and stories collected to educate and advocate for opportunities that increase women’s ability to participate in the workforce. 

To see the full research release and learn more about United WE, visit www.united-we.org/townhalls.

About United WE

United WE (United Women’s Empowerment) is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Since 1991, United WE has overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership by investing in research, advocacy and policy solutions. We have conducted 21 meaningful research studies, advocated for issues resulting in 52 policy actions and supported more than 180 civic appointments. Our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of women and families by commissioning transformative research, scaling our fast-growing Appointments Project®, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing, and aid in fighting against sexual harassment. Unite with us. Visit www.united-we.org and connect with @UnitedWeEmpower on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Press Release: Lieutenant General (Ret) Nadja West Inspires Leaders At United WE’s We Work For Change Event

We Work for Change 2022 speaker Lieutenant General (Ret) Nadja West. Image via Matthew McNeal Photo

KANSAS CITY, MO – September 21, 2022 – Today more than 1,400 women and allies from 14 states gathered both in-person and through a virtual livestream for United WE’s annual We Work For Change event. The event program featured speaker Lieutenant General (Ret) Nadja West, the first African American Army Surgeon General, the first African American woman 3-star General, and the highest-ranking woman graduate from West Point.

Lieutenant General West discussed the importance of leadership learned during her tenure in the US Army, detailing what good leaders are supposed to do, what they should know, and what they must be – especially in times of uncertainty. “Now more than ever, we need good leaders who can work together to uncover the silver lining amid chaos to inspire their teams.” 

“Now more than ever, we need good leaders who can work together to uncover the silver lining amid chaos to inspire their teams.”
— Lieutenant General (Ret) Nadja West, We Work for Change 2022 Speaker

West also answered questions from veteran families and youth attendees. Answering a question about what young people can do to work toward change and become leaders, West said, “Have the desire to do it. Have that desire, passion, and always ask the question, ‘why not me?’”

We Work for Change, presented by Bank of America, is United WE's signature annual fundraising event uniting women and allies to raise funds and awareness to advance all women's economic and civic leadership. The event has inspired generations of women and men to work towards a more gender equitable world. 

“Bank of America is committed to gender equity within our own organization and throughout society, and we support United WE’s mission to advance economic and civic opportunities for women,” said Linda Lenza, Senior Vice President and Market Executive, Bank of America Kansas City. “We are proud to be presenting sponsor of We Work for Change which celebrates and inspires progress for generations of women.”   

Hosted at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and through a virtual livestream, attendees included political leaders from across state and party lines like Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe. Kehoe spoke about his support for United WE’s work in improving access to childcare for women across both state lines. 

The 2022 We Work for Change Event raised nearly $680,000 and counting to support the United WE mission and programs, including the commission of transformative research, support for barrier-removing policy reforms, advocating for the legacies of women, and more. United WE’s strategic investments and passionate work have resulted in work across seven states, including 22 impactful research studies, 51 meaningful policy actions, and 180+ women appointed to civic leadership positions through the Appointments Project®. 

“We know our work for change requires persistence and perseverance, and that our framework of research, solutions and results is something that works,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President and CEO. “And [it] can be repeated, again and again, as we tackle economic barriers holding women back.”

Join United WE in creating meaningful change for all women and learn more at www.united-we.org.

About United WE

United WE (United Women’s Empowerment) is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Since 1991, United WE has overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership by investing in research, advocacy and policy solutions. We have conducted 22 meaningful research studies, advocated for issues resulting in 51 policy actions and supported more than 180+ civic appointments. Our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of women and families by commissioning transformative research, scaling our fast-growing Appointments Project®, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing, and aid in fighting against sexual harassment. Unite with us. Visit www.united-we.org and connect with @UnitedWeEmpower on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Press Release: United WE Reveals Updated Occupational Licensing Policy Brief and Findings on Women in Missouri 

Although Progress is Being Made, Occupational Licensing Requirements are Still Creating Barriers to Entry for Those In Greatest Need of Economic Opportunity

Kansas City, Mo – August 25, 2022 – United WE, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, held a virtual press conference today with the University of Missouri’s Institute of Public Policy to announce findings from ongoing research on Occupational Licensing and Women in Missouri. Occupational licensing protects the safety and well-being of the public, however, it can create unnecessary barriers for women entrepreneurs by restricting entry and re-entry into professions, reducing employment, and creating economic inequity.  

The 2022 report revealed that Missouri women still tend to be employed in licensed occupations to a greater degree than men, and many occupations dominated by women require a license or certification. In 2021, 27.6% of women were certified or licensed compared to 21.1% of men. Women of color tend to hold licenses or certificates at slightly lower rates than white women. In 2021, 29% of white women held a license or certification compared to 18% of Hispanic or Latina women, 25% of Black women, and 26% of Asian women.

Because women are more likely to work in occupations that are licensed and are more likely to earn less than men, the economic barriers to entry are more severe for women in the workforce. For example, social workers, particularly new social workers, are nearly 90% women, and much more racially and ethnically diverse than other health care professions.

“Occupational licensing is a critical economic development issue. We know from our research that the required hours of training, exam fees, licensing fees, and renewal fees can present a financial barrier for Missourians, especially women entrepreneurs, seeking to enter professions requiring licenses or certifications,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “While these requirements offer a measure of protection, excessive regulation can create barriers for applicants and exclude potential workers from allowing them to support the economic development of our state.”

Commissioned by United WE and sponsored by CommunityAmerica Credit Union, the policy brief updates previous research conducted in 2016 with new information concerning licensing requirements, women’s participation in the workforce, national and state policy updates, and the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

“CommunityAmerica is focused on helping people get on a path to thrive and we were eager to fund this research report to help elevate the impact that occupational licensing has on our communities, our citizens, and our state,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer at CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Not only do licensed workers earn higher wages, they also tend to stay longer at their jobs, be less likely to work part-time voluntarily and involuntarily, and have lower rates of unemployment — these are all important attributes for our economy.”

Key findings from the research include the following:

Women in the Workforce

  • In Missouri, about 55% of women were employed in 2014, rising to 55.9% in 2018 and 56.4% in 2020, for a total of about 1.4 million people. 

  • Due to COVID-19, women lost their jobs at higher rates than men, were less likely to regain them when the economy started to recover, and were more likely to have increased their unpaid household and care work.

  • At the end of 2020, although the economy had started to recover, more than two of every five women’s jobs that were lost from February-April 2020 had not been recovered.

Occupational Licensing in Missouri

  • 509,908 Missouri individuals and businesses were registered with the Missouri Division of Professional Registration in April 2022.

  • There are 41 regulation boards, regulating over 300 professions.

  • Approximately 103 board members on occupational licensing boards and commissions are serving expired terms and 56 board seats are currently vacant.

  • Missouri ranked 22nd in 2017 in the percentage of low-income occupations the state licensed (1st=most licensed, 50th= least licensed).

  • Missouri’s licensing fees and average education requirements in 2017 had increased relative to other states since 2012.

Economic Impact of Occupational Licensing

  • People with a certification or license earned about 1/3 more than those without these credentials.

  • Employed people were more likely to hold an active certification or license (24%) in 2021 than the unemployed (12.3%) or those who were not in the labor force (5.6%).

Boards and Commissions

  • The U.S. Department of Labor classifies Missouri as among the states with the most flexible interstate license recognition options for military spouses.

  • The Division of Professional Registration recently secured $21 million in ARPA funding to create and maintain a new licensing system that will empower the workforce and potentially enable improved data collection.

Notable Missouri Occupational Licensing Updates

  • Two significant advances have been made within the fields of Cosmetology and Barbering. The first is the exemption of hair braiders from needing a cosmetology license, and the second is the exemption of individuals who engage solely in shampooing from needing a cosmetology or barber license. 

  • Reciprocity has expanded to include additional professions since 2012, although reciprocity still does not exist for all boards and fees and requirements still vary.

  • Short-term fee waivers for military families and low-income individuals have reduced some financial burdens to licensure.

The last several years of policy changes have focused on increasing license reciprocity and decreasing the burden of licensure where it is unnecessarily heavy. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some of these efforts, as increasing the flexibility of licensed healthcare providers became increasingly important. 

“Our research revealed that COVID-19 presented challenges that have worsened existing barriers to obtaining or retaining an occupational license,” said Emily Johnson, Associate Director of Operations, Institute of Public Policy, Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, University of Missouri. “With many occupations impacted by state and local shutdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing or stay-at-home orders, the data validates the importance of removing barriers for Missouri’s women so they can contribute to making the economy stronger.”

A full copy of the report can be viewed here.

Moving the Needle Forward for the Future of Rural America

Author: Cassie Bicknell

I often think about how fortunate I have been to live, work and raise my family in Pittsburg. Rural Kansas has afforded me and my family countless opportunities for connection, community, volunteerism and growth. As a longtime resident of Pittsburg, trust me when I say that this community is a great place to live, but we still have more growing that we need to do.

There are several structural issues that are preventing our women and families – and in turn our state – from realizing its potential. These are issues that affect all of us, including childcare, eldercare, and the digital divide. In fact, the McKinsey Global Institute found that Kansas could grow its economy by as much as 10-15% by 2025 if women’s participation in the workforce increased.

Earlier this year, United WE, an evidence-based, nonpartisan organization dedicated to unlocking women’s economic and civic leadership, unveiled new research that illuminated progress made by Kansas women but also showed barriers to their economic potential. While several issues impact women’s ability to fully participate in the workforce, barriers like childcare stand out as a pressing issue in Kansas that even garnered national attention. Kansas infant care costs are 29% of female median earnings and infant care at daycare centers are typically 1.3 times more expensive than in-state college tuition. In order to recruit and retain Kansas women in the workforce and grow our Kansas economy to its full potential, we need to come together and make progress in these areas.

When a woman’s economic potential is unleashed, their families succeed, their communities succeed, and their state succeeds. I want this for our community and its residents. However, this responsibility isn’t just for our policymakers to tackle – it’s going to take all of us. I urge you to use your voice so that we can pay it forward for the future of our families, community, and state.

A simple first step is by engaging in a Town Hall Series taking place across Kansas this summer that’s hosted by United WE and sponsored by The Bicknell Family Foundation to identify barriers impacting women in the workplace and entrepreneurship, including childcare, paid family leave, broadband access and more. There is a Town Hall taking place in Pittsburg on August 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Pittsburg State University Governor’s Room. I’m proud that Mariner Foundation is sponsoring this event that is open to all women and allies and includes complimentary lunch, free professional childcare and a $10 gift card for all participants. The stories heard will be combined into a comprehensive report and used to create bipartisan policy reform for all Kansas women. Register online and learn more about the initiative at www.united-we.org/townhalls.

We need our community to share their time and their experiences to provide a picture of the challenges that women in rural America are facing, including access to affordable healthcare, childcare, and eldercare to name just a few. These insights will help organizations like United WE and our great state to develop smart, targeted solutions to these challenges. Let’s collaborate with organizations and nonprofits that offer a hand up as opposed to a hand out.

I support the empowerment of women to affect change in our rural communities. Will you use your voice and join me in doing the same?

From Our President & CEO: Occupational Licensing: The Piece of Child Care No One is Talking About 

One of the biggest problems impacting the growth of America’s economy, equitable access to entrepreneurship, and workforce development is child care. Our research has revealed that child care costs more than in-state tuition across multiple states and absorbs 29% of a woman's income in Kansas.

“The cost of child care is more than my mortgage.” - Town hall participant in Hays, KS

Due to the pandemic, child care centers have closed at an alarming rate with no plans to reopen. The centers that do exist are struggling to stay open, meet federal licensing requirements and pay a living wage. 

“I wanted to stay home with my children, so I opened a child center. It was so expensive to operate that I did not make a profit at all. I had to close it and return to a full-time job outside of the home.” - Town hall participant in Garden City, KS

Occupational licensing barriers are not new to us at United WE. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 23% of full-time workers have a license or certification. While most requirements exist for public safety, some get caught up in the system and create unnecessary burdens, including expensive fees and irrelevant training. Women hold occupational licenses at a higher rate than men - in Missouri, women hold them at a 3 times higher rate than men. 

While the demand for child care has been an issue for decades, the data that exists lacks an emphasis on understanding licensing barriers and identifying solutions to meet the child care demand. The multiple aspects of the child care crisis are holding women back every day and solutions are possible.

As always, our approach to any issue is rooted in data. We know to create sustainable, nonpartisan policies to improve the child care situation, we must know more about the issue. That’s why we’re starting a two-year national research project evaluating child care licensing. 

We will:

1.) Work with an academic partner to conduct state-by-state child care licensing research study to expand upon the existing research available. Our research will look through the women’s entrepreneur lens by developing a baseline of state-by-state licensing requirements for childcare providers, identifying which states are implementing child care licensing extremely well, identifying which licensing standards may contribute the most to center closings/barriers for women-owned providers, and identifying occupational licensing barriers that exist for the childcare workforce (i.e., certifications).

2.) Conduct a nationwide survey of mothers who are entrepreneurs – We will collaborate with a

nationwide partner supporting women entrepreneurs to better understand the childcare needs and barriers for mothers who are entrepreneurs in a post-COVID-19 environment.

3.) Convene a Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Task Force consisting of women-owned

childcare providers and mothers who are entrepreneurs from multiple states. They will focus on reviewing research results, brainstorming innovative solutions, and developing next-step recommendations to improve childcare for women entrepreneurs as providers and parents alike.

4.) Advocate for policy change by sharing the research and recommendations from the actions above to convene and educate elected officials, policymakers, community leaders, and thought leaders about the barriers and creative solutions to reduce onerous licensing barriers and help address the childcare crisis for women entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs from the task force will be engaged in our education and advocacy efforts. We will focus our advocacy efforts initially in three Midwestern states (Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma), and expand beyond to key states identified in the research.

This initiative is made possible through funding by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. By developing solutions to tackle this crisis, women will have the option to fully participate in the workforce, boosting our economy by 10-15% according to a recent McKinsey Global Institute study. Together, we can improve the lives of women and families across the nation by attacking all aspects of the child care issue, including occupational licensing. 

Fondly,

 

Wendy D. Doyle

United WE President & CEO

Dear Kansas: Let’s Change The Narrative For Our Current and Future Generations

Author: Sierra Marie Bonn

Passion.

I’ve been passionate about making the world a better place since I joined Girls Scouts as a young girl.

Passion is what motivated me to write a book to empower the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, artists and mathematicians.  Passion is what encourages me to make an impact and serve my community. Passion is why I started my own non-profit organization that empowers individuals of all ages to pursue their own passions, specifically working to address the inequity and under-representation in innovative fields. Passion is why I support local businesses and growing our economy through the empowerment of our current and future workforce.

I’m a passionate Kansan and I want to show the next generation what’s possible. For me, that has meant truly serving my community and spotlighting volunteers, organizations, and people who are working to make the world a better place.

One such organization is United WE, a nonpartisan non-profit organization dedicated to unlocking women’s economic and civic leadership. Their recent research found that nearly 30% of a Kansas working mother’s salary is spent on childcare costs — one of the highest percentages in the U.S.! Infant care costs are 1.3 times more expensive than in-state college tuition, and childcare for four-year-old children compares to in-state tuition in Kansas.

As a first-generation student and daughter of a single mom, these statistics hit home. We need to support our Kansas women and families. We need to reduce the structural barriers keeping women from fully participating and succeeding in our economy. We need policies that will help everyone in our state to flourish. We need change. But more importantly — we need passion.

I was surprised to learn from The McKinsey Global Institute that Kansas could grow its economy by 10-15% by 2025 if women’s participation in the workforce increased. Kansas is a great state create new businesses, innovate solutions to big problems, and lead the world in changing the future. We have work to do to make that a reality, to invite progress and to grow our economy. It may seem like a big feat, but we cannot sit idle.

I’m taking action by serving on the Kansas Women’s Economic Development Task Force formed by United WE to study issues related to women’s participation and advancement in the workforce. We’re hosting a Town Hall Series across Kansas this summer to hear firsthand the personal stories from women and families throughout the state on the barriers they face. The stories will be combined into a comprehensive report and used to create bipartisan policy reform for all Kansans.

You can serve your community. You can make an impact. You can use your voice and share your story. I invite you to join us for a town hall in Wichita on July 14 at Wichita State University from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Complimentary lunch, free professional childcare, and a $10 gift card for all participants will be provided. There is also a statewide virtual town hall that will be from noon to 1:00 p.m. on August 24. Town Hall discussion topics will focus on women in the workplace and entrepreneurship, including childcare, paid family leave, broadband access and more. Learn more and RSVP at www.united-we.com/townhalls.

Let’s change the narrative for women and families while showing the next generation what’s possible. Unite with us in Wichita on July 14. Don’t forget to bring your passion.

 

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.