![]() The success stories tell a more remarkable tale of confidence, support and vibrancy for the participants. They are connecting program participants to resources and providing a $5,000 “no strings attached” economic grant for their business. These bi-annual cohorts meet online and in person to discuss issues, build support networks and learn from mentors. Knowing that owning a business is the greatest indicator for building wealth, the WFA created the WEM focusing on black women-owned businesses. Through the 2018 WFA commissioned report on economic indicators for Women in Arkansas, an interesting statistic came into view – the highest rate of women living below the poverty line and the highest number of women-owned businesses co-existed in Eastern Arkansas. These host corporations and mentors create a thriving opportunity environment for these women of color.Ī strong initiative in the Women’s Empowered pillar is the Women’s Economic Mobility (WEM) Hub. It is a known fact that an internship experience is the most significant indicator of achieving a career in STEAM fields. These cohorts of 20 college-aged women experience a paid summer internship with housing expenses covered for 10 weeks. The Foundation covers the cost of the conference and will reimburse travel expenses to schools and individuals who incur costs by traveling from rural areas.Īlso under the Girls of Promise program umbrella is the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program. The WFA was the first organization in Arkansas widely using the term “STEAM careers.” Their school-based program starts with sixth graders leading to an annual 8th-grade conference planned, presented, and entirely planned and hosted by volunteers. Girls of Promise, presented by Axiom Corporation, is the oldest program of WFA, focusing on exposing girls to opportunities and mentors in the STEAM fields. In honor of its 25th anniversary, the WFA, in partnership with Arkansas Business and Soiree magazine, is gathering nominations for the Top 100 women of Arkansas, focusing on presenting a new generation of women poised to lead the state in resolution for barriers they face every day. By sharing about these women through the state’s most prominent business publication, the message was loud and clear plenty of qualified women in Arkansas are working to better their communities, build strong businesses and strategically change the world around them. So, Farrell used her role with Arkansas Business Publishing Group to present the Top 100 Women of Arkansas. ![]() The topic of boards and commissions came up and he said, “Olivia, we would appoint more women to our state boards if there were just qualified women.” The comment did not sit well in her spirit because she knew more than a handful of overly qualified women to advise and speak into our state’s most significant issues. Today, those recommendations guide the continued work of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and help lawmakers, donors, philanthropists, and lobbyists as they seek to improve the future for women of all ages and races in Arkansas.Īs the story goes, Olivia Farrell was having lunch with a male counterpart in the mid-1990s. The appointed commissioners created smaller work groups to build recommendations for a plan based on the data collected. Throughout 2022, the team conducted face-to-face meetings and surveys. Unfortunately, no new research existed for 49 years. This team approached Arkansas’ previous administration with a proposal to visit with stakeholders across the state to research the current state of women in Arkansas and the issues and barriers restraining them from economic advantages.
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