BWF Impact Team Updates - April 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 Team (co-led by Gigi Arrington, Kathie Debenham, and KoShell Miller) is working to gather resources and information for a “What Utahns Need to Know” document about women over 50. The Team is also hosting Living Room Conversations to see what themes and thoughts emerge that can help guide the work of the Team. Leaders from the Older Adult Sub-Spoke (part of the Health Across the Lifespan Spoke) have met with the Team to engage in collaborative discussions. If you are interested in helping to raise awareness of issues faced by women over 50 that intersect with spoke areas, please email kdebenham7@gmail.com.

Arts & Music: No new updates provided from the Team. If you are interested in supporting the BWF movement in this area, we would love to have you involved! Please visit the Arts & Music Impact Team webpage and contact Tasha Iglesias (Team Co-lead) at tasha.iglesias@usu.edu for more information.  

Disabilities: The Impact Team is working with spokes to develop resources and information related to women with disabilities within the focus areas across BWF. The Utah Department of Workforce Services’ Rehabilitation Office (BWF Partner) is holding a workshop and job fair tailored for individuals with disabilities on April 8. Utah’s Golden Key Scholarship application is now open for students with a disability (ages 17-21 years old). Please contact Team Co-lead Marcela Taylor (marcelataylor@utah.gov) for more information on these opportunities and to join the efforts of the Disabilities Impact Team.

Interfaith: The Interfaith Impact Team has recently welcomed several new members and is excited to continue collaborating with these women. The Team is also focused on expanding its scope to include a broader range of perspectives from women of various faith backgrounds. They meet monthly to explore different faith perspectives and discuss the significance of interfaith work in Utah. Additionally, the Team is currently compiling research and resources to help Utahns better understand faith identities and their impact on women and communities throughout the state. To get involved, contact Brooke Piippo at brookepiippo21@gmail.com.

LGBTQ+: No new updates provided from the Team. If you are interested in supporting the BWF movement in this area, we would love to have you involved! Please visit the LGBTQ+ Impact Team webpage and contact Anne Arendt (Team Co-lead) at anne.marie.arendt@gmail.com for more information.  

Male Allyship: The Male Allyship Impact Team continues to support the activities of the spokes and is building the mailing list for the “Male Ally Army”.  The Male Ally Army is a comprised of individuals who don't necessarily hold formal positions within BWF but who remain committed to supporting women in Utah. The Male Ally Army newsletter contains actionable steps Allies can take to support women as well as updates on the BWF movement.  If you, or someone you know, would like to be on the list, please submit your contact information here. A Male Allyship Committee is being formed within two Women’s Employee Resource Groups at a large employer in Utah.  These committees will get more men involved in the initiatives that the ERGs are sponsoring (within the company).  The Impact Team is implementing this approach in three ERGs and is available to help implement this strategy to others as needed. The 5-part video series  (developed to gain insight into the different approaches between men and women) and the book Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies For Women in the Workplace are helping to increase awareness. The Impact Team welcomes nominations for a campaign highlighting male allies making an impact in the lives of women around them across social media. For more information, visit the Team’s LinkedIn Group.

Neurodiversity: The Neurodiversity Impact Team continues making steady progress under the leadership of Marianna Henry and welcomes Andrea Bradford as a new co-lead! The Team has created a two-page document highlighting What Utahns Need to Know about Women & Neurodiversity which will be published soon. The current focus of the Team is developing a neurodiversity white paper, which will provide educational and advocacy-focused content for spokes, county coalitions, and the public. This will include spoke-specific sections with research and resources tailored to different audiences and needs. A structured template is in place to guide content development, with active work planned through April and May and a target release at the BWF Annual Summit on June 6.

Race & Ethnicity: The Race & Ethnicity Impact Team is working to better define the team’s objectives and will be focusing on member outreach. A two-pager outlining What Utahns Need to Know about Women, Race, and Ethnicity in Utah is currently being written (with a scheduled release in June). The Team is also working with UWLP (Nadia Cates) on a Community Conversations focus group series with women in Utah of different races and ethnicities. These conversations will build understanding of how women in different communities experience belonging in Utah. You can RSVP to participate here.

Refugees & Immigrants: The Team is pleased to welcome Jane Castillo, who has volunteered to assist the Co-Leaders with outreach and engagement. The Team also welcomes UT With All Immigrants and the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City as BWF Growth Partners. Next month, Dr. Susan Madsen will be presenting BWF at a providers meeting with the Refugee Services Office at the Department of Workforce Services. To get involved, please email sisterjanecastillo@gmail.com. 

Sexism: The BWF Impact Team on Sexism continues to explore ways to share our social capital and influence to provide insights and information. They continue to convey the message that speaking up against sexism can be a powerful force for reducing gender inequity and this Impact team is tasked with arming women and girls to identify and address sexism in their communities. The Utah Women & Leadership Project also partners with this Team by releasing a new research white paper in April titled “Utah Women, Discrimination, and Sexism: Experiences and Perceptions.” Dr. Susan Madsen will be releasing segments as LinkedIn articles that this Team will help amplify.

Women’s History: Women's History Month may be over but it's always a great time to learn about the women who have shaped the Beehive State! The free educational curriculum from Better Days Utah (BWF Partner) highlights Utah women's leadership in the suffrage movement, community advocacy, and WWI, with new bios and topics added constantly. The Team encourages all to share these resources with educators, especially 4th and 7th grade Utah Studies teachers. Additionally, Better Days is holding "An Evening of Celebration: Putting the Women Back in Our History," event in Salt Lake City on April 17. This will be an unforgettable night of storytelling, poetry, and song telling the story of humanity through the lives of fascinating women, emceed by What's Her Name podcast hosts.

Veterans & Service Women: No new updates provided from the Team. If you are interested in supporting the BWF movement in this area, we would love to have you involved! Please visit the Veterans & Service Women Impact Team webpage and contact Emily Harrison (Team Co-lead) at bwfu.womenvets+emily@gmail.com for more information.