In July of 2021, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas appointed Angela Crawford to the Climate Protection Steering Committee. Read her background and professional profile here. One year later, Crawford sees her journey to appointment as a demonstration of what can happen when women simply continue to show up and say yes to opportunity.
Crawford first encountered the Appointments Project® a few years ago while working at a past employer. The company had partnered with United WE to provide female-focused professional development. The Appointments Project® team presented at a few sessions throughout Crawford’s time there. Interested in civic leadership from a young age, these sessions inspired Crawford to engage. The United WE team shared about how women often want to be civic leaders, but do not see themselves as qualified. Crawford said, “I saw these presentations as my invitation to raise my hand and volunteer.”
She began to explore the available board, commission and committee opportunities in her local area, and eventually reached out to Appointments Project® for guidance. At that point in her journey, Crawford had taken many concrete steps toward increased environmental sustainability in her own personal life and had grown to the point of wanting to help make a wider impact. She wanted to participate in not only individual change but systemic change.
Crawford eventually moved from a suburb to Kansas City, which made more civic leadership opportunities available to her. After applying for a few different committees, at first, she didn’t receive an immediate response from the city. She persisted in her efforts to reach the particular office, by calling, emailing and reaching out. Appointments Project® staff connected with Crawford a few months later, inquiring as to whether she was still interested in civic leadership. She informed them of her difficulty in reaching the right people, and soon, Crawford received a call back from the mayor’s office. She was officially appointed to the Environmental Protection Steering Committee.
One year into serving in this capacity, she has learned a lot of valuable lessons. Though she lacks the same technical climate and environmental expertise of others on the committee, Crawford realized that her background in content and storytelling could be a valuable asset in relaying scientific and technical findings to the wider community. She enjoys crafting messaging which will help to build bridges between the committee’s work and environmental opportunities for the general public.
Crawford’s journey to appointment on the Climate Protection Steering Committee took perseverance as she navigated the challenges of bureaucratic systems. However, through the guidance and support of Appointments Project® staff, as well as her own motivation and persistence, she is now able to offer her experiences toward a cause she cares about and which will benefit her community for generations to come. Crawford said, “[Being on this committee] has been good for me because I do believe we will grow into opportunities we’ve been given. So many women wait until they are qualified. Step into opportunities before you think you are ready.”
Did Crawford’s story inspire you to get involved with civic leadership? Learn more about the Appointments Project® here.