News and Events

 

News

Jane Callahan Hired as Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis

Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis Hosts Annual Making a Difference Event

Past Events

September 21 – Making a Difference: Stronger Women for a Better Community

St. Louis native Susan Solovic, serial entrepreneur, national media personality, and New York Times best-selling author will shared her insights into how she has paved her own unique path to success.

The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis honored the remarkable contributions that Martha Uhlhorn, local entrepreneur, philanthropist, and innovative business leader who has made to women’s issues and women in the workplace throughout her career. 

June 30 — Stronger Women for a Better Community:  A Bold Vision for the Economic Empowerment of Women

WFSTL and KWMU Radio hosted Dr. Barbara Gault, Ph.D. of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), who presented her findings on the status of women in St. Louis as well as the Student Parent Initiative (SPSI). Her presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Gault alongside local experts Carissa Figgins of The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home and Sheila Burkett of Spry Digital. 

A few key statistics from Dr. Gault’s research on Women in Missouri:

  • If current trends continue, women in Missouri will not see equal pay until the year 2066.
  • Women hold 24.4 percent of seats in the state legislature.
  • As of 2015, there are no women of color in statewide elective executive office in Missouri and no women of color from the state in the U.S. Congress.
  • Missouri women who work full-time, year-round earn 79 cents on the dollar compared with similarly-employed men.
  • In 2012-2013, 19.0 percent of Missouri’s four-year-olds were enrolled in state pre-K, preschool special education, or state and federal Head Start.

View Dr. Gault’s full presentation by clicking here.

 

Coffee and Conversation:  Women and Economic Security

On April 29 we hosted our first Coffee and Conversation to learn about the state of low-wage work in St. Louis, work related barriers for women and what is being done to move forward.

PANELISTS

Paul Woodruff

Paul Woodruff serves as the Vice President of Community Development for St. Louis Community Credit Union (SLCCU) and Executive Director of SLCCU’ affiliate non-profit, Prosperity Connection.  In these capacities, he is charged with overseeing and guiding the strategic direction for numerous community outreach initiatives supported by both organizations.  Paul began his career at SLCCU in 2009 as a teller and has subsequently worked as a business development specialist and manager of community development. 

He is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships that fund, support, and advance the respective mission of each organization.  These duties include oversight of financial education programs throughout the community, management of SLCCU’s CDFI status and grant requests, and maintaining relations with community, business, and government leaders.  As an active member of the community, Paul also serves as an advisor and board member forseveral community and national groups, including the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.

Paul received his Master’s degree in Public Administration (with a certificate in Organizational Development) from St. Louis University where his research focused on credit union alternatives to payday loans.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Speech Communication from McKendree University. 

Genevieve Friedmann 

Genevieve Friedmann is a Licensed Master Social Worker, currently working toward clinical licensure.  As the Program Manager for the Women’s Economic Stability Partnership program at the YWCA Metro St. Louis, she works with women and their children using a strengths-based, empowerment approach tailored to meet the needs of each woman and her family.

She is responsible for management of all programmatic functions of the Women’s Economic Stability Partnership program, including management of the program caseload and providing intensive services to low-income women, with emphasis onbuilding long-term economic stability through access to education, financial literacy, development of assets, reduction of barriers, and access to resources and basic needs.

Genevieve graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Social Work. Genevieve is proud to be part of the YWCA movement to eliminate racism and empower women and is committed to working for equity and social justice for women and girls.