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.”
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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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
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
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.
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.
Press Release: United WE and Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business Unveil Research on the Status of Women in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Has Larger Gender Earnings Gap Than U.S.; If Trends Continue, Oklahoma Women Will Not See Equal Pay Until 2076
United WE, a non-partisan nonprofit organization, held a virtual press conference today to announce findings from initial research on the Status of Women in Oklahoma. United WE commissioned the year-long study with Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business to specifically examine women’s economic status in the state and to highlight areas of possible action to economically empower women and their families.
The research illuminates important findings, implications, and policy insights as women in Oklahoma face challenges that hinder them from achieving their full economic potential. The research shows that the gender earnings gap is larger in Oklahoma than in the United States overall. Oklahoma women earned 74.5 cents for every dollar earned by a man between 2015 and 2019, compared to 80.8 cents per dollar for U.S. women. If current trends continue, women in Oklahoma will not see equal pay until 2076.
In addition, the research reveals that childcare in Oklahoma is unaffordable for many families. The average cost of childcare in Oklahoma is more expensive than a year of in-state tuition at a four-year public college. The typical married couple in Oklahoma spends about 11.7% of their income for infant care and 20.6% of their income for two children. Childcare is considered affordable if it costs 7% or less of a family‘s income.
“We have a long history of commissioning evidence based research in nearby states so we are delighted to expand our efforts into Oklahoma to better understand the challenges hindering the region’s women from achieving their full economic potential,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “It is our collective responsibility to take this research, identify innovative solutions, educate elected officials and community leaders, and unite to advance and support policies that strengthen Oklahoma women and families for the economic development of the region.”
The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University and the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of one of the largest cement companies in the United States that serves multiple regions in Oklahoma, funded the research project.
“We are delighted to partner with such a well-respected organization as United WE to explore the status of women in Oklahoma,” said Dr. Ken Eastman, Dean at Spears Business. “At Spears, we are committed to enhancing the opportunities of women and all Oklahomans and Dr. Ahlstrom’s research provides valuable insight on areas of needed improvements.”
The findings highlight areas of possible action to help economically empower women and their families. Findings from the research include the following:
Employment and Earnings
Oklahoma’s gender earnings gap is one of the highest in the country. Women in Oklahoma effectively stop getting paid on September 24 (compared to October 29 for U.S. women overall) while continuing to work for the remainder of the calendar year.
If equal pay were a reality in Oklahoma, the poverty rate for working women would be reduced by nearly 50%, and women’s earnings would increase by approximately $5.4 billion annually.
If women in the state took off one day of work, the Oklahoma GDP would lose $222.4 million.
United WE advocates for salary history bans and has established pay equity best practice guidelines to promote equal pay for equal work.
Childcare
The annual cost of childcare for an infant in Oklahoma in 2020 was $8,940, or $745 a month. The typical married family with two incomes spends about 12% of their income on infant childcare compared to 40% for the typical single-parent.
The annual cost of infant care in Oklahoma is greater than the cost of in-state tuition at a public, four-year university in the state.
United WE advocates for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave at 100% pay for all part-time and full-time workers.
Health Care
In 2019, Oklahoma was only one of two states where the uninsured rate was higher than 14% while the U.S. national average was 9.2%. The state had the second highest number of uninsured women in the United States in 2022.
Smaller percentages of men and women in Oklahoma are enrolled in Medicaid compared to their United States peers. Among women in the United States, about 21% are enrolled in Medicaid relative to 18-19% of Oklahoma women.
Poverty and Social Insurance
Women in Oklahoma ages 25–64 have a higher poverty rate than men in Oklahoma as well as when compared to women in the United States overall.
Among women who are 65-years-old and older, the share of women in poverty in Oklahoma is lower than the percentage for women in the United States as a whole.
United WE supports policy reforms that remove barriers and leverage opportunities for women’s economic development, such as gender pay equity, which impacts retirement savings for women in the long-term.
Civic Engagement
About one-fifth of the Oklahoma legislators were women in 2021, a smaller share than the United States average.
Oklahoma women vote more than Oklahoma men, but voter turnout rates are lower in Oklahoma for both genders than for men and women in the United States overall.
United WE’s Appointments Project® facilitates the appointment of women to civic boards and commissions and addresses a critical gap in representation and leadership. The project is expanding to cities across the country including Oklahoma City. Free public training events for Oklahoma City are planned for April 27, 2022, and May 24, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT.
“Our research illuminates the challenges and inequities faced by women in Oklahoma while serving as a benchmark for tracking the advancement and progress of women in our state,” said Dr. Laura J. Ahlstrom, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business. “The data validates the importance of removing barriers and advocating for policies that support women, ultimately making families and communities healthier and the economy stronger.”
A full copy of the report can be viewed here.
Appointee Profile: Elizabeth Danforth
Elizabeth Danforth was appointed by Mayor Quinton Lucas to the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri. As Director of Public Affairs, Elizabeth leads Evergy’s Corporate Social Responsibility including Community Relations and Customer Affairs Departments.
Guided by shifting customer and community needs, her teams work to advance the Company’s corporate citizenship and social responsibility programs with an emphasis on improving policy and programs to assist disadvantaged customers and communities, working to establish Evergy as a leader in environmental sustainability, and helping to retain and attract business to the region.
Internally Elizabeth has led multiple, Company-wide initiatives. Externally, she serves on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Reconciliation Services and Downtown Council Boards. She has also served on Missouri Energy Initiative Board, Child Protection Center Board, NonProfit Connect Board, Hospital Hill Economic Development Council, Friends of Powell Gardens Board, the Greater Kansas City Chamber’s Energy Committee and Executive Women’s Leadership Council as well as United WE’s policy and fund development committees.
Prior to Evergy she was a development and marketing professional where she led multi-million-dollar capital, endowment, and operational campaigns, as well as comprehensive marketing communications and media initiatives.
Elizabeth lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband Kyle Foote, a partner at Stinson. They have two children – Bella and Piersen.
Media Inquiries:
dmc@united-we.org