When Kansas City women thrive, our economy and democracy soar. This organization helps | Opinion

For more than 31 years, United WE has positively impacted the Kansas City community and beyond in countless ways, envisioning a world where all women are empowered to strengthen America’s economy and democracy. By tackling barriers to improve women’s growth and economic potential through research, policy solutions and civic engagement, this nonpartisan, locally-based nonprofit helps empower women. The organization’s impact includes policy reforms on equal pay, increased paid family leave and child care — all of which allow for women in the Kansas City community to thrive and improve their lives.

Believing that change must start with the women of Kansas City, United WE has enriched me immensely. Throughout my life, I have been blessed by many outstanding people and organizations helping me reach success. Through United WE’s Appointments Project, which works to increase the gender diversity of civic boards and commissions, I reached my goal of becoming an appointed member of the Jackson County Ethics, Human Relations and Citizen Complaints Commission. Through my work, I am proud to secure and protect individuals’ rights, reconcile problems, improve government administration, assist with legislative oversight and enforce ethics provisions. United WE has helped make my work easier through their research on leadership studies and influencing policy that looks at gender parity in the workforce.

This appointment has also assisted my business, Connectus Worldwide. With a better understanding of the needs of the community, I’m able to work with minority, women-owned, veteran and LQBTQ+ businesses that want to expand their economic opportunities throughout Kansas City.

In 2022, United WE was able to focus on improving women’s economic development across Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma by helping pass legislation that was later signed into law. Also continuing the expansion of civic leadership through women across the country and region, United WE was able to grow into four new cities and two new states, bringing more than 2,275 women together in civic leadership.

United WE provides individuals with valuable resources that help prepare them for success. Partners such as Bank of America, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas City Chiefs are great at advancing the foundational work established by United WE and elevating it across the region. For example, Bank of America is the presenting sponsor of the United WE Champion Breakfast, an event April 28 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, which will bring allies and individuals together to raise funds and awareness for the advancement of women’s economic and civic leadership. The bank continues to be a champion for women helping to uplift and support the important initiatives that United WE offers.

Mine is just one of the thousands of success stories of women who have benefited from the resources offered by United WE. The Kansas City community truly doesn’t know how lucky it is that this great organization helps impact the lives of so many.