BWF Impact Team Updates - February 2025

In the Bolder Way Forward Framework, there are issues that permeate across and influence each of the 18 spokes. Twelve Impact Teams are doing deep work in each of these areas so that successful societal change will happen for all women in Utah. Connection and collaboration between these teams, spokes, county coalitions, and others within the movement is critical. The following are bi-monthly updates on what is happening within each of the 12 Impact Teams.

50+ Thriving: The 50+ Thriving Impact Team, co-led by KoShell Miller and Kathie Debenham, is working to gather resources and information for a “What Utahns Need to Know” document about 50+ Thriving. The Older Adult Sub-spoke (part of the Health Across the Lifespan Spoke) has met with the team to engage in collaborative discussions. If you are interested in joining this team to help raise awareness of issues faced by women over 50 that intersect with spoke areas, please email debenham7@gmail.com.

Arts & Music: The Team is currently looking for volunteers (co-researchers) for a research study on gender equality in the Utahn arts. An art exhibit is also being planned for the Fall of 2025 to showcase and highlight the experiences of girls and women artists in Utah. The goal is to connect these artists’ experiences to available resources and systems of support in Utah. Individuals are needed to help the Arts & Music Impact Team with social media creation and marketing, and the Team is working to increase engagement. Please contact tasha.iglesias@usu.edu for more information on opportunities to get involved.

Disabilities: The Disabilities Impact Team is working to compile information on disability topics to be a resource for spoke leaders and the community. While efforts continue to identify a potential Team co-lead, the Team has welcomed a volunteer assistant (Sophie Hagen) to help with outreach and information dissemination. Kelie Hess (Team Co-Lead) participated in Utah’s Disability Advocacy Day at the Utah State Capitol on February 3rd. This event was spearheaded by USU’s Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice, in partnership with other disability organizations across the state.

Interfaith: The Interfaith Impact Team has been working to compile a list of interfaith groups and resources within Utah. They plan to be able to share this list in the next couple of months, along with the details of interfaith events that are open to the public. These groups and events will also be shared on the Team’s social media accounts. After a successful service project and interfaith roundtable event in October of 2024, they are hopeful that sharing these events will increase the outreach that existing interfaith groups within Utah have and allow more women to enter welcoming spaces where they are encouraged to build bridges and increase religious peace within their communities. They are extremely grateful for the efforts and insight from previous co-lead Lenée Fuelling and are excited to find a new co-lead to add to the Team. Contact Brie Sparks (brie.sparks@usu.edu) if interested.

LGBTQ+: The Impact Team has been on hold for a few months, but efforts are ramping up to create a 2-page “What Utahns Need to Know” document highlighting key data and resources. Team Leaders are also planning to write a white paper with a focus on civic discourse. 

Male Allyship: The Male Allyship Impact Team has been building on connections with Spoke Leaders to best support their initiatives and needs.  Nearly all spokes have a Male Allyship Team Member attending their meetings as that “Connector.”  They continue to build the “Male Ally Army” by gathering contact information from supporters who wish to stay in touch and possibly support/volunteer.  Progress is being made with the distribution of materials, such as the 4 Things to Be A Male Ally document, Male Allyship – A New Conversation online discussion series, and recommended reading materials. A new approach that is being tested is to work with ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) representing women at organizations across the state. These ERGs focusing on women’s challenges and opportunities are being encouraged to add a Male Allyship Committee to get more men involved in the ERG’s activities.

Neurodiversity: 2025 brings a re-focused effort for the Neurodiversity Impact Team, led by Marianna Henry. In January, they outlined their goal to gather data, stories, resources, and best practices around neurodiversity. To support this, they have developed a shared spreadsheet to compile information, aiming to populate initial content by March 5. This work will inform a neurodiversity “white paper” designed for spokes, county coalitions, and the public, with educational and advocacy-focused content. Sections will include spoke-specific content, with a planned release by late May. They will also turn the white paper content into two-pagers for each spoke as well.

Race & Ethnicity: The Race & Ethnicity Impact Team welcomed Kameron Abilla and Michelle Mooney as new Team Co-leads. The Co-Leads (Kameron, Michelle, and Ze Min Xiao) are working to better define the Team’s objectives and will be focusing on member outreach in the upcoming weeks. Key resources are also being gathered for a 2-pager outlining “What Utahns Need to Know” about women, race, and ethnicity in Utah.

Refugees & Immigrants: The Impact Team is working to build relationships with service agencies and other organizations who provide resources across the state. The Team is compiling resources and information for 2-pager outlining key facts and how individuals can help women refugees and immigrants here in Utah. Volunteers and partner organizations are needed to further the efforts of this Team – please contact lvillegas@cacherefugees.org to get involved.

Sexism: In January, the Team’s Co-leads (Holly Richardson and Lisa Watts Baskin) met with Dr. Susan Madsen to brainstorm. They developed some ideas to make the Sexism Impact Team more nimble, hopefully more effective, and maybe even enjoyable. They have disbanded the monthly Team meetings. Instead, they are developing an interactive tool to discuss sexism in all its forms (online, through social media, and maybe on occasion, in person) and to discuss depictions of experienced sexism in the world and in Utah. This is meant to enliven the discussion, make it vicariously personal, and jumpstart new approaches through the arts about how to understand and address the problem.

Women’s History: Women’s History Month begins March 1! This Team hopes that you will take the opportunity to celebrate Utah women's legacy of leadership in your organization. Visit utahwomenshistory.org to find bios, articles, videos, swag, and resources you can share in newsletters, lunches, or other events. Better Days and the Utah Historical Society (BWF Leadership Partners) are also hosting "Utah Women Making History Day" at the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 4. This is a special student field trip with interactive stations teaching about women who have shaped the Beehive State. To volunteer, please fill out this form.

Veterans & Service Women: The Team recently became part of the Utah Military-Connected Families Coalition and will be a voice for women Veterans and Service Women in this group. They will be supporting the upcoming Honoring Utah's Women Veterans event being held at the State Capitol Rotunda on March 12, 2025 and hope that the community saves the date for this great event! The Team is also working on an official resource listing and is also seeking an additional co-leader.