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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