28
Mar
2016
IWF: Springing Ahead in March
Daylight Saving Time isn't the only thing springing ahead - the Iowa Women's Foundation (IWF) is full of energy and excitement as we look forward to working together with our supporters and grant partners to achieve our best year yet! Plans and promotions are in high gear for upcoming events - OVATION, Run Like a Mother, and the Annual Luncheon just to name a few!
SHE MATTERS: We Listen and Iowa Wins!
In an effort to understand how the IWF might positively impact the economic self-sufficiency of women and girls in Iowa, the IWF traveled to 18 communities across Iowa during the summer of 2015: Cedar Rapids, Chariton, Council Bluffs,Creston, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Fort Madison, Iowa City, Jefferson, Marshalltown, Mason City, Ottumwa, Quad Cities, Sioux City, Storm Lake, and Waterloo. We held focus groups comprised of 307 local leaders recognized for their work with women and girls. The University of Iowa, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Assistant Professor and graduate students assisted with the tour data collection, transcription and organization. Details about methodology and data analysis are provided in the full tour report.
The three goals of the tour were to (1) learn firsthand about the most pressing challenges affecting economic self-sufficiency for women and girls in the communities, (2) identify existing initiatives to advance their success, and (3) determine what gaps in services or resources currently exist. Attendees were also invited to make recommendations about how the IWF could help women and girls achieve economic success.
The top key barriers identified by tour participants, in order of frequency cited, were: (1) employment, (2) childcare, (3) housing,(4) education/training, (5) transportation, and (6) mentors.
In addition, four major themes emerged from analysis of our data:
(1) providing and accessing critical knowledge and information,(2) empowerment, (3) flexibility, and (4) generational poverty.
By deepening the knowledge and understanding of the issues of economic self-sufficiency for women and girls in Iowa, the findings in the tour report will focus our resources toward research, grant making, advocacy, education and collaboration. The full results of the "We Listen and Iowa Wins" tour will be published this summer. When barriers are removed and opportunities opened to them, women and girls thrive and Iowa wins!
Save the Dates! Mark your Calendars!
OVATION
The third edition of OVATION will be unveiled Monday, May 9, 2016.
If you are interested in recognizing a special woman this year, the deadline for publication is March 31 (please email dawn@iawf.org for more information).
13th Annual Run Like a Mother 4 Mile Run/Walk Will Be Held Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 8:30 AM!
Registration is now available for the 13th annual Run Like a Mother Event! For more information and to get registered, please visit here. All funds raised from this event will go to the Iowa Women's Foundation, so all support is greatly appreciated!
The Iowa Women's Foundation Annual Luncheon is October 6, 2016 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Coralville Marriot & Convention Center!
The Iowa Women's Foundation is pleased to announce that Cokie Roberts will be the keynote speaker at the Annual Luncheon! A best-selling author and veteran political commentator and analyst for ABC News & NPR, Roberts has won numerous awards and honors for her contributions to broadcasting and public service. More information on Cokie Roberts and the upcoming luncheon will follow in later emails!
For more information on Cokie Roberts, view our Press Release here: http://iawf.org/
