Missouri Women's Council tackles economic issues, recognizes strides

Clarissa French

Posted online September 21, 2008 | 11:00 pm

Missouri women have a friend in Jefferson City.

The Missouri Women’s Council was established in 1985 by the General Assembly to identify and address issues affecting the economic and employment status of women in Missouri.

The council’s intent is “to work closely with other agencies and community-based organizations to build awareness, educate, promote opportunities for, and enhance the lives and well being of Missouri’s women and families,” said Executive Director Mary Cottom.

“By providing information and resources to enhance the employability and skill development of women and families, we provide support to women as they pursue their economic goals,” she added.

Starting out as the Missouri Council on Women’s Economic Development and Training, it became the Missouri Women’s Council in 1994.

Operating under the auspices of the Department of Economic Development, the 15-member council includes 11 members from across the state that are appointed by the governor, plus two state senators, two state representatives and Cottom.

Among its members are Bolivar resident Sandy Jones, executive assistant to Ozarks Technical Community College President Hal Higdon.

“We help women with all kinds of needs – starting a business, economic issues, educational opportunities,” said Jones, who was first appointed to the Missouri Women’s Council in March 2005 and reappointed in 2007.

Specifically, the council provides information and resources to women through several channels:

• The Women’s Resource Guide provides information and contacts for business startup, education and training, government agencies and offices, government contracts, networking, small-business development, state and regional organizations, child care and domestic violence shelters and advocacy centers.

• The Missouri Self-Sufficiency Standard, published as the Missouri Family Affirming Wage Guide, establishes minimum family-supporting wages for households ranging from a single adult to two-adult households with various age children.

• Constituent services through the Missouri Women’s Council mark one of the group’s greatest achievements in communicating with women, Cottom said. “If someone calls here, regardless of what the problem is, we try to help them remedy that problem.”

• The Missouri Women’s Council’s Web site, www.womenscouncil.org, provides access to publications including the Women’s Resource Guide and Missouri Self-Sufficiency Standard, fact sheets, a monthly newsletter, and links to education, government contracting and career-building resources. One such resource, the Women-Owned Business Network, allows women to promote their products and services at no charge, said council member Jones.

• The council also supports the cause of women’s health through its Breast Cancer Awareness License Plate program. Sales of the pink license plates raise funds to provide mammograms to underinsured and uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 49, Jones said.

Recognizing key accomplishments

Besides providing resources to help women advance their careers and enhance their earning power, the council also recognizes and promotes the achievements of Missouri women past and present.

The council’s Outstanding Women of Missouri traveling exhibit, for example, details the unique achievements of Missouri Women.

Included in the exhibit are Maya Angelou, author, poet, historian, civil rights activist and St. Louis native, and Annie White Baxter, the nation’s first female county clerk. Baxter was elected to serve in Jasper County in 1890 --– three decades before women were allowed to vote.

The council’s Awards of Distinction honor individuals and/or organizations that have had a significant impact on women and their families.

First Lady Melanie Blunt receives help and support for the First Lady Awards, which debuted in March, honoring women in the categories of business and innovation, culture and humanities, education, health and wellness, and volunteerism. More than 300 women were nominated for the five awards, and more than 700 people attended the event, Jones said.

Continuing challenges

But while women have access to more resources than ever before, they still face some significant challenges.

“I think one of the biggest challenges women have is getting funding to start a business,” Cottom said. “I know men have obstacles also, but I do think that women have to prove themselves a little more.”

At the same time, “I think there are more women starting businesses right now than men,” she added.

And equal pay continues to elude Missouri women.

A decade ago, for every dollar a man earned, Missouri women earned 70 cents. Now, Cottom said, women earn 78 cents to a man’s $1.

Considering the strength and persistence of Missouri women, Cottom said, she is puzzled by the continuing disparity, but she has no doubt women will continue to advance their cause.

“When I see women take on a challenge, I see that (challenge) accomplished,” Cottom said.

Making a Difference for Missouri Women

The current members of the Missouri Women’s Council, listed alphabetically:

Mary Cottom, executive director of Missouri Women’s Council

Janet Nava Bandera, O’Fallon, president of Bandera Law Firm PC

Sen. Maida Coleman, St. Louis, D-5th Senatorial District Senate Majority Leader

Michelle Esswein, St. Louis, founder, president and CEO of Winning Women

Terri Gray, Columbia, director of development, university projects at University of Missouri

Sandy Jones, Bolivar, executive assistant to the president at Ozarks Technical Community College

Nanci M. King, Jefferson City, information technology entrepreneur

Kerri McBee-Black, Harrisburg, executive director of the Alliance for the Status of Missouri Women

Lorene James, Kansas City, director, adult basic education and corollary programs for the Kansas City School District