When the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis (WFSTL) was formed 10 years ago, women in the workplace could breathe a little easier. “There was nothing like it before,” says founding president Pat Rich, who explains that while the organization falls under an umbrella group of Women’s Foundations worldwide, the WFSTL has a local mission to improve economic security for women and girls in our area. Since its inception, the group has awarded grants to more than 35 organizations that serve St. Louis area women and girls, and has actively and passionately engaged the community in removing the barriers to success that women can face. “We are a force for the better,” Rich says, noting that only about 8 percent of U.S. charitable foundation funding goes directly to organizations that solely serve women and girls.
In September, WFSTL launches a new initiative to salute employers with a demonstrated commitment to female employees. The Women in the Workplace: Employment Scorecard 2017 program encourages organizations to improve their policies and practices by highlighting those that already have good practices in place. “It’s a way for businesses to assess how they are doing and how they could do even better,” says WFSTL executive director Jane Callahan.
There are six categories on the scorecard, covering everything from compensation and recruitment practices to retention efforts, workplace culture, leadership and community support. “By lifting up organizations that make special efforts to hire, retain and promote women, we offer a model for others to follow suit,” Callahan explains, adding that only those that achieve an ‘A’ score will be announced publicly.
Callahan also suggests that a natural incentive for employers might be found in the results of a recent global study conducted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. It reports that having more women in senior management positions appears to increase profitability. “If companies know gender and racial diversity make good economic sense, they will be inspired to create an opportunity-rich environment for all employees,” she says. The scorecard goes live on wfstl.org Sept. 6, coinciding with WFSTL’s 10th anniversary ‘Making a Difference’ event.
This year, the keynote address will be given by Jessica Bennett, The New York Times columnist and author of Feminist Fight Club: a Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace. Nancy Kranzberg and Deborah Patterson are honorary co-chairs; Pat Rich is the organization’s 2017 honoree. “There is a lot of enthusiasm for this year’s event,” Callahan says. “We are thrilled to be honoring Pat and excited to bring together women from all walks of life throughout the region.”
In addition to serving as founding president for WFSTL, Rich has been president of the Arts and Education Council and director of planning and development at the Missouri Botanical Garden. She is founding partner of EMD Consulting Group and is an Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive, the highest accreditation in the fundraising profession.
‘Making a Difference’ takes place at Hilton St. Louis Frontenac.
Pictured: Nancy Kranzberg and Ali Kindle Hogan At Rung Boutique, a resale shop that benefits Women’s Foundation
Photo: Tim Parker Photography
WFSTL’s 10th anniversary Making a Difference event takes place Sept. 6 at Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. Pictured on the cover, clockwise from center seated: honorary co-chair Nancy Kranzberg, honorary co-chair Deborah Patterson, WFSTL founding board president Pat Rich, WFSTL board president Laura Dierberg Ayers and Rung Boutique founder/president Ali Kindle Hogan. For information and to register, visit wfstl.org.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
