Kansas City native, United WE Changemaker, and appointee, Mary Barnes, believes women’s equity could be most transformed in government. She is leading the way in both her professional role as Contract & Compliance Paralegal at Port KC and her civic leadership role as an appointed Trustee of the Pension Board of Trustees for Jackson County, Missouri.
“I work in a male-dominated field and many times I am often the only woman in a meeting,” said Mary. “I view my role as an educator and to be an example to other working women that you can be successful in any career, including those not typically dominated by women.”
As a 2021 civic appointee, Mary also encourages other women to participate in the Appointments Project® and pursue an appointed position on a civic board or commission.
“The experience has been impactful to me, as I am one of eleven Trustees who work to establish rules and interpret and administer Jackson County, Missouri’s pension plan. I have learned so much and also the inner workings of county government. Other women should not shun from applying to participate in the Appointments Project. It may seem daunting to serve in an unfamiliar capacity, but your success is ensured with webinar education and training that will aid your success as a civic leader on a board or commission.”
Mary also helps other professional women improve their writing and editing skills and encourages them to have more confidence in their professional image. She is currently a part of the Leadership Northland Class of 2023-Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Junior League of Kansas City, the National Contract Management Association, The Links, Inc., and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Mary enjoys learning in-depth about the barriers and concerns facing women through United WE’s research and policy advocacy work. “United WE’s community impact matters to me because they champion the topics and areas of concern that are of high importance to women such as equal pay, paid family leave, childcare, and women in the workplace,” said Mary. “The overall mission of United WE to further all women’s economic and civic leadership aligns with my civic commitment to serve and strengthen the women in my community.”
This alignment led Mary to financially support United WE as a Changemaker (a recurring monthly contributor). “I choose to financially support United WE to guarantee that the work of the organization can move forward and because when women and men work together, we truly can affect change in our communities,” remarked Mary. “United WE has provided me with opportunities to interact and network with other forward-thinking women. I want to personally ensure that United WE can continue providing economic and civic leadership opportunities to women to strengthen our economy and democracy.”
Thank you, Mary, for your civic leadership and support of United WE! Learn how you can join Mary as a United WE Changemaker and participate in the Appointments Project®.