Because She Matters
to you, here’s what you can do.
Top Ten Issues
Recommendations fRom input at the 2012 iowa women’s LeadeRship confeRence
S H E M A T T E R S
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• LinkpublicandprivateSTEMinitiativesthroughoutIowa• EncourageincentivesforSTEMbusinessestohirewomen• AdvocateforastatewidecurriculumforgirlsinSTEM• SupportschooltoworkforcetransitionprogramsforSTEMcareers
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• AssistinbuildingpublicawarenessofSTEMandstateefforts• PromotetrainingandhiringfemaleteachersinSTEMsubjects• EncouragefemalesinSTEMworkplacestomentorotherwomen• EndorseexplorationofSTEMcareersatyoungages(elementaryschool)andincludehands-onexperiences
• LearnwhatotherstatesandcommunitiesaredoingtopromoteSTEMtogirlsandalignefforts
• Supportschool-businesspartnershipprogramsthatprovidegirlswithexposuretoSTEMworkplacesandcreateinternshipopportunities
RESOURCES• IowaGovernor’sSTEMInitiative:www.iowastem.gov • IowaMathandScienceEducationPartnership:www.iowastem.gov/imsep • CorridorSTEMInitiative:www.corridorstem.org • AAUWEmbracesSTEM:www.aauw.org/stem • GirlScoutsofAmerica,GirlsInSTEM:www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/science
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• LearnaboutwhySTEMisimportantforgirlsandwomen• Findwaystoincludescienceand/ormathematicsindailyinteractionswithchildren• Exposeyoungpeopletosciencecenters,planetariums,zoos,andparks(ratherthanmovietheatersandshoppingmalls)
• PromoteSTEMthroughfaith,community,andgender-specificorganizationsinyourcommunity
1. incReased numBeR of iowa women aRe empLoYed in stem (science, technoLoGY, enGineeRinG, mathematics) caReeRs
2. aLL iowa women and GiRL s haVe access to heaLth c aRe
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• Increaseavailabilityofhealth-carebuyingpools• Increasesupportofservicesinphysicianshortageareasofthestate(mobileclinics,nontraditionalsites)
• Createanofficialstatewebsitewitheasy-to-understandhealthcareandaccessinformation• Createnursenavigatorandhealthcarecoachingprogramsforpublichealthservices• Developataxincentiveprogramforvolunteerproceduresbymedicalprofessionals
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• Identifylocalgapsininsuranceandhealthcarecoverageandinvestigatecauses• Createlocalmapsandinformationaboutprovidersindifferentcommunities• Providehealthinsuranceinformationtostudentsbeforegraduationtohelpthemunderstandtheprocessandimportanceofinsurancecoverage
• Createacampaigntoeducatepublicabouttheimportanceofhavinghealthcarecoverageanduseofmedicalservices(diseaseprevention,healthmanagement)
RESOURCES• U.S.DepartmentofHumanServicesOfficeonWomen’sHealth: www.womenshealth.gov• NationalInstitutesofHealth,HealthInformation:www.health.nih.gov • FreeClinicsofIowa:www.freeclinicsofiowa.org • HealthyandWellKidsinIowa(hawk-i)Program:www.hawk-i.org • Iowa/NebraskaPrimaryCareAssociation:www.ianepca.com • SeniorHealthInsuranceInformationProgram:www.shiip.state.ia.us
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• Conductcommunityeducationsessionsaboutunderstandinghealthcoverage• Organizefreeschoolphysicalsandotherhealthservicesatlocalschools• VolunteertoteachataSHIIP(SeniorHealthInsuranceInformationProgram)site• Organizeeducationalworkshopsforwomenandgirlsaroundhealthconcernsandprevention
• Developcommunityawarenessaroundlocalfreeclinics
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• Enforcepayequityatthestatelevel• Designaregulatorysystemtooverseesalarystandardsandimplementpenaltiesfornoncompliance
• Provideincentivesforbusinessesprovingpayequityandpromotingandcompensatingwomenathighlevels
• Stateagencydevelopmentofbusinesspoliciesincludingflexiblehours,familyleave,andotherwomen-friendlypractices
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• Create“BestPlacesforWomentoWorkinIowa”award• Researchandpublishbestpracticesofcompaniesthatpracticepayequity• Provideeducationalseminarstargetingmaleleadersaboutwomen’spaydisparity• Providesalarynegotiationandlifestyleplanningeducationinhighschoolsandcolleges
RESOURCES• AAUW(PayEquityResourceList):www.aauwiowa.org • IowaStateUniversitySmartStartWorkshops:www.isupjcenter.org/assistance/smartstart • TheWageProject:www.wageproject.org • NationalWomen’sLawCenter,EqualPayInitiative:www.nwlc.org/fairpay
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• Conductseminarstoteachwomenhowtonegotiateforhighersalariesandworkplaceflexibility
• Providelearningopportunitiesforschool-agechildrentounderstandgenderpayequity• Createopencommunicationaboutsalariesandexpectationsatindividualbusinesses• Createlocalrecognitionprogramsfor“equity-consciousbusinesses”includingadirectory,website,andsitedesignation
3. femaLes and maLes aRe paid eQuaLLY foR eQuaL woRK
4. aLL iowa women and theiR famiLies L iVe aBoVe the fedeRaL poVeRt Y LeVeL
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• Developandimplementpoliciesthataddresswomen-specificbarrierstoemploymentandfinancialsuccessandtoavoidthe“cliffeffect”(affordablechildcare,flexibleschedules,benefits,etc.)
• Providesufficientpublicfundingforchildcareforwomenwhiletheyarejobsearching,interviewing,ortakingclasses
• Increaseaccesstoworkforcesupportprograms,especiallyinruralareas• Ensureaccesstohigh-payingjobsforwomenwithdiverselevelsofeducation
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• Opencommunitycenterstowomeninneedofservicesrelatedtofinancialsecurity• Buildcommunitysupportnetworkstoassiststrugglingfamilies• Developmentoringor“familyadoption”programsforpersonsinpovertywiththosethathaveimprovedtheirfinancialstatus
• Buildlocalknowledgethroughgrouppovertysimulationsduringcivic,faith,andculturalgroupmeetings
RESOURCES• IowaPolicyProject,Discovering“Cliffs”inIowa:
www.iowapolicyproject.org/IowaCliffs.html • ChildandFamilyPolicyCenter,PovertyReductionandAssetBuilding:www.cfpciowa.org • NorthwestAreaFoundation,CaseStudiesandBestPractices:
www.nwaf.org/content/programs• IowaAssociationofCommunityActionAgencies:www.iowacommunityaction.com
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• Encourageemployerstoofferaffordableon-sitechildcareforemployees• Partnerwithfaith,corporate,orcivicgroupsforjobcoachingprograms• Offerassistancetowomenandfamiliesinneed• Makeacharitablecontributiontoanorganizationservingwomenandgirlsinpoverty
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• Designandimplementastandardcurriculumforschoolsrelatedtohealthyandpositiverelationships(atallagelevels)
• Providetargetedmonitoringforperpetratorsofsexualviolence• Createstandardsformediarepresentationofwomen• Supportcapacityofmentalhealthprofessionals,neighborhoodwatchprograms,and“safezones”throughoutthestate
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• Trainprofessionalsandcommunitymembersintechniquestoidentifysexualviolence• Hostcommunitysupportgroupsforvictimsofsexualviolence• Implementprogramsthatusepositiverolemodelsandsupporthealthyrelationships• Createalocalcoalitionofsexualassaultadvocatestoprovideexpertiseandleadership
RESOURCES• IowaCoalitionAgainstSexualAssault: www.iowacasa.org • IowaCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence:www.icadv.org • LatinasUnidasporunNuevoAmanecer(LUNA):www.lunaiowa.org • MidIowaSexualAssaultResponseTeam(SART):www.midiowasart.webs.com
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• Providetrainingforboysandyoungmenonhealthyrelationshipsandpenaltiesforsexualaggressionand/orviolence
• Createopportunitiesforopenconversationsaboutriskandresponsetosexualviolence• Developmen’snetworkfocusedoneliminatingsexualanddomesticviolence• Provideneighborhoodandcommunityeducationonsafebystanderintervention
5. iowa women do not eXpeRience seXuaL VioLence
6. moRe iowa eLected and appointed puBLic officiaL s in iowa aRe women
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• ElectafemaleGovernorandfemalerepresentativestoCongress• Increasetherepresentationofwomeninthestatelegislatureandinstatewide,county,andmunicipalelectedoffices
• Appointwomentofill50%ofthepositionsonIowa’smunicipal,county,andstateboardsandcommissions
• Increasetherepresentationoffemalestudentsonhighschoolandcollegegoverningbodies
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• EncouragealleligibleIowanstovote• Encourageadiversityofwomen(e.g.,byage,raceandethnicity,politicalparty)toparticipateinpoliticalcampaigns
• Recruitandtrainwomenonhowtobecomeacandidateandrunacampaignforpublicoffice• Recruitandtrainwomenonhowtobeappointedtostate,county,andmunicipalboardsandcommissions
• Providementoringexperiencesforwomeninterestedinpublicservice• Educatewomenonhowtobalancepublicofficewithprofessionalandpersonallife• Encourageandsupportfemaleparticipationinallaspectsofcivic/publicdecision-making
RESOURCES• 50-50in2020:www.50-50in2020.org • CarrieChapmanCattCenterforWomenandPolitics,IowaStateUniversity:
www.las.iastate.edu/cattcenter• DemocraticActivistWomen’sNetworkofIowa:www.dawnslist.org• LeagueofWomenVotersofIowa: www.lwvia.org • IowaChapteroftheAmericanAssociationofUniversityWomen,GenderEquity:
www.aauwiowa.org• IowaFederationofRepublicanWomen:www.iowafrw.org
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• Registerandencouragewomentovoteinlocal,county,state,andfederalelections• Identifyandaskwomentorunascandidatesforlocal,county,state,andfederalelectedoffice• Identifyandaskwomentoseekappointmenttomunicipal,county,andstateboardsandcommissions
• Contributeresources—timeandmoney—towomenpoliticalcandidates• Mentorgirlsandyoungwomentobeinvolvedinleadershipanddecision-makingroles
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• Increasetaxincentivesforwomenbusinessowners• Createanentrepreneurcenter/incubatorforwomenandaligneffortsamongorganizationsservingorawardingwomen-ownedbusinesses
• Makeinsurance,employeebenefits,freelegalguidance,andloansavailableandaffordableforwomen-ownedsmallbusinesses
• EncourageIowaEconomicDevelopmentAuthoritytoassistinremovingbarriersandcreate“seedfund”orlow-interestloansforwomentostartbusinesses
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• Studyandsharecasestudiesfromtopstatesforwomen-ownedbusinesses• Publishdirectoriesof,andcreatespecialmethodstoidentifyandpublicizewomen-ownedbusinessesandtheirlocations
• Matchbusinessprofessionalwithfemalebusinessownersforcoachingandguidance• Trainretiredwomenbusinessownerstobecomecoachesandmentors
RESOURCES• U.S.SmallBusinessAdministration:www.sba.gov• Women’sBusinessCenteratISED:
www.isediowa.org/iowa_womens_enterprise_center.asp• IowaEconomicDevelopmentAuthority:www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com • Web-basedresourcesandeducationforsmallbusinessowners:MyEntre.net• TargetedSmallBusinessProgram: www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/business/tsb.aspx
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• Holdseminarsforwomenonstartingabusiness• Teachentrepreneurshiptochildrenandyoungadults• Promoteandpatronizebusinessesthatarewomen-owned• Startorsupportalocal“Women’sChamberofCommerce”ornetworkforwomen-ownedbusinesses
7. 50% oR moRe iowa Businesses aRe owned BY women
8. aLL iowa women haVe access to safe, affoRdaBLe housinG
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)
• Createandmaintainastate-wide24-hour“homelesshotline”toprovideemergencyassistance
• Createemergencyfundingpoolandresourcecentertokeepwomenandfamiliesintheirhome
• Providetaxincentivestopurchaseforeclosedhomesorbuildingsandconverttogrouphomesorshelters
• Minimizehousingcoststhroughgovernmentsubsidies,taxbreaks,orsocialhousingprojects
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)
• Learnsuccessfulpracticesandprogramsfromotherstates• Holdfocusgroupsorinterviewhomelesstolearnwhatneedsare• Trainschoolstafftoidentifyandreferchildrenwhoarepotentiallyorcurrentlyhomeless• Encouragecommunityorganizationstoprovideassistancetohomelesswomenandfamilies• Createasheltertoprovideroomandboardinreturnforwork
RESOURCES
• U.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment:www.hud.gov
• SAMSHAHomelessResourceCenter:www.homeless.samhsa.gov/default.aspx
• IowaFinanceAuthorityCouncilonHomelessness:www.iowafinanceauthority.gov/en/for_homeless_providers_housing_organizations/iowa_council_on_homelessness
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Leadacollectionofsupplies,food,andotherassistanceforhomelessfamilies• Workorvolunteeratashelter• Providefreelegal,medical,education,orcounselingservices• Treathomelessindividualsinyourcommunitywithrespectanddignity(teachyourchildrentodothesame)
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)
• Supportdevelopmentofcommonratingsystemforelderservicesandnursinghomes• Supportimplementationofdirectcareworkercredentialingsystemandpayscales• Ensuresystemsforportableprescriptioncoverage,transportationservices,mobilemedicalclinics,helphotlines,andotherpracticestoensureaccess
• Createastatewideprogramthatencouragesincentivesforretiredpersonstobecome“seniorcompanions”tomakedailyvisits,helpwitherrands,etc.
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)
• Connectschoolsandseniorcarefacilitiestoprovidecompanionship,education,andvolunteeropportunities
• Provideclassesandeducationatseniorcentersandnursinghomes• Holdcommunitycookingeventstoprepareandfreezeindividualservingsanddelivertohome-basedseniors
• Open“boysandgirls”clubsandgrouphomesforelderly• Implementeffectiveseniorfoodprograms(homedelivery,communitysites)
RESOURCES
• AreaAgenciesonAging:www.aging.iowa.gov/aaa/index.html
• IowaDepartmentonAging:www.aging.iowa.gov
• AARPIowa:www.aarp.org/states.ia
• SeniorCorps:www.seniorcorps.gov
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Delivercookingorexerciseclassesforseniorsteachingnutritionandhealth• Volunteertobesubstitutedecisionmaker(representativepayee,powerofattorneyformedicalandfinancial)
• Createapoolofavailabledriverstoaccompanyseniorstodoctorappointmentsandevents• Organizeaninter-generationallunchgroup
9. iowa’s aGinG women aRe heaLthY and independent
10. iowa GiRL s and women aRe pReVented oR diVeRted fRom inc aRceRation
GOALS (POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION)• Reviewandrevisemandatorysentencinglaws• Developdiversionorpublicserviceworkprogramsforwomenasalternativetoprison• Providegovernmentjobsforimmediateemploymentuponreleasefromincarceration• Developstatewideearlyidentificationsystemofgirlsandwomenatrisktobecomeoffenders• Supportinnovationsshowntocutre-offenseratessuchasnurseriesinprisons
ACTIONS (EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS)• Supportafter-schoolandout-of-schoolprogrammingforyouthtopreventdelinquency,substanceabuse,highschooldropout
• Developmaterialsformentalhealthandmedicalproviderstoinformonissuesrelatedtowomenatriskforcriminalbehavior
• Createcommunity-based“navigators”tohelppreparewomenfor,andconnectwomenwithresourcesfollowingrelease
• Developcommunityawarenessprogramstoidentifygirlsexhibitingearlywarningsigns(riskybehaviors,schoolfailure)
RESOURCES• IowaDepartmentofCorrections:www.doc.state.ia.us • OfficeoftheIowaAttorneyGeneral:www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov • EyerlyBallJailDiversionProgram:www.eyerlyball.org/other-progams/jail-diversion • CriminalandJuvenileJusticePlanning:www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp • SAMHSA,TraumaandJusticeProgram:www.samhsa.gov/traumajustice
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO• Volunteertoprovidetraining/mentoringforat-riskwomenandgirls• Createacommunitysupportsystemforchildrenandfamiliesofincarceratedwomen• Talktofemaleoffenderstolearnwhatmayhavehelpedthemavoidincarceration• Invitefemaleoffendersintoschoolsandyouthprogramstospeakaboutexperience• Implementcommunityawarenessandneighborhood-basedprogramstoidentifypotentialoffendersandprovidesupport
IOWA WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROJECT MEMBERSHIP
IWLC (Iowa Women’s Leadership Conference)
Chrysalis
NEXUS, Executive Women’s Alliance
Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, Iowa State University
Iowa Department of Human Rights
Iowa Women’s Foundation
Friends of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women
Iowa Network for Women in Higher Education
American Association of University Women Iowa
Women’s Connection, Quad Cities and Muscatine
Women Aware, Sioux City
The Way Up Conference
Business and Professional Women/Iowa
Women’s Leadership Network, Dubuque
Des Moines Women Connected
Mapping Strategies
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