During the Kansas City session for our combined classes of 2020 and 2021, we held a Women’s Economic Development Town Hall meeting facilitated by Joni Wickham (Class of 2018), member of our Board of Directors, and partner with Wickham James Strategies & Solutions. She was joined by GMLF long-time strategic partner Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of United WE in facilitating the 2 hour discussion with the cohort.

You can read portions of that discussion from the United We Women Town Hall Report on page 20 of this report. We appreciate the authentic discussion among the cohort that helped to amplify issues that working women face in trying to provide for themselves and their families.

Wendy emphasizes “Change will not come far enough or fast enough unless we are inclusive and continue an intentional focus on marginalized members of our community. We recognize that women of color, women in rural and senior communities, and those living in poverty face unique challenges and have unique needs. The Missouri town halls sought out these women’s voices in order to amplify their concerns and provide additional opportunities to address the barriers they face.” Read the full report to learn more.

The Executive Summary is available here.