UWLP Blog

Although mammography is widely recognized as an important tool in the fight against breast cancer, Utah remains one of the lowest-ranking states for mammography screening.

The May 2023 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Given the high rates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, continued research is crucial to inform both policy and practice and to help new mothers most at risk.

Did you miss this Spring Women's Leadership Forum? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The April 2023 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The last 50 years have not seen one static “Utah woman.” Rather, Utah women have made diverse decisions about their childbearing and families, changing throughout the decades in response to cultural contexts, social norms, and personal circumstances.

Did you miss this Spring Women's Leadership Forum? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Health promotion efforts should adopt a “safety first” approach that begins by identifying whether individuals have sufficient and reliable access to affirmative and protective social relationships that provide them with consistent validation, affirmation, protection, and belonging.

The March 2023 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Preventing and otherwise reducing domestic violence rates will improve the health and well-being of women and families in Utah and strengthen the positive impact of women in their communities and the state.

Did you miss this Spring Workshop? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The last few years have been record-setting years for women running for office across the country, and we are seeing some slight progress in Utah as well. When more women run, more women win.

The January 2023 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Structured gap time experiences for full-time missionary service are increasingly common for women attending Utah colleges and universities. This brief describes both costs and benefits of gap time experiences.

Mental illness is progressively detrimental to one’s wellbeing if left untreated, and eating disorders are no exception. It is necessary to improve eating disorder prevention and treatment initiatives in Utah and implement evidence-based prevention programs in Utah schools.

The January 2023 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Although Utah’s rate of homelessness is less than the national rate, thousands of individuals and families experience homelessness each year. We must continue efforts to provide resources for those currently experiencing homelessness and develop strategies that ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.

The December 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Did you miss this Fall Workshop? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The November 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

As we understand more about women’s decisions and broaden awareness about the benefits of higher education, we can foster a supportive environment for women’s education within families and communities, then translate that support into higher graduation rates among women.

Results from the recent Utah study of secondary students show gender differences in the educational experiences and aspirations of Utah’s youth. In this article, we draw attention to the barriers they face and we offer suggestions for overcoming the gender gap.

The October 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The UWLP White Paper Series offers research-based reports on specific issues that impact Utah girls and women, along with related policy recommendations. This paper focuses on the status, challenges, and opportunities of women-owned businesses in Utah.

Taking vital steps will not only mitigate gender disparity observed at the level of advanced education in Utah but will move the needle in other areas of gender inequity in the state, such as the gender wage gap.

Did you miss this Fall Women's Leadership Forum? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Suicide is a serious, evolving, and complex public health issue that negatively impacts individuals, families, and communities across Utah, the nation, and the world. Suicide can have lasting and harmful effects on everyone touched in some way, and it carries high economic and human costs.

The September 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Did you miss this Fall Workshop? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Tragically, workplace sexual harassment continues to happen today and is vastly under-reported. This harassment causes extensive harms to the individuals harassed, the vast majority of whom are women.

Stories are the oldest form of passing on both knowledge and human experience. We see ourselves in each other and come to know something about ourselves that was often hidden prior to hearing someone’s story. We can grow with each other through stories.

The August 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

With the high rates of sexual assault in Utah, continued research on adult and child sexual assault cases is critically important. Research can inform both practice and policy to improve care for sexual assault survivors and reduce sexual violence throughout Utah.

Schools continue to struggle more than ever to find qualified, effective leaders. Hence, finding, preparing, and supporting future educational leaders – women and men—is imperative for the future of Utah.

The July 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The data in this report provide a snapshot of the existing disparities in several areas specifically related to Utah American Indian women. It also provides a starting point for meaningful, targeted change.

Utahns can increase equity and equality within the state by utilizing data to recognize the impact of gender and race in our everyday lives. The state can use these data to better utilize the talents, ideas, and resources that Latina women have to offer the state, employers, and Utah families.

The June 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Utah needs significant investment into efforts that encourage and mentor Utah girls and young women to pursue STEM education and careers, and industries must continue to improve the corporate climate to attract and retain women in STEM fields.

Did you miss this Spring Workshop? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

As we seek to provide greater access and opportunity to all Utah residents, the state can use these data to better utilize the talents, ideas, and resources that Black women have to offer the state, employers, and Utah families.

The May 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The data in this report provide a snapshot of the existing disparities in several areas specifically related to Utah Asian women. Thus, the report provides a starting point for meaningful, targeted change.

The data in this report provide a snapshot of the existing disparities in several areas specifically related to Utah Pacific Islander women. It also provides a starting point for meaningful, targeted change.

Did you miss this Spring Women's Leadership Forum? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Despite public perceptions that human trafficking is only an international problem, it occurs in the United States and even within urban and rural areas of Utah.

The April 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Did you miss this Spring Women's Leadership Forum? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Did you miss this celebration? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The March 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Speaking up against sexism can be a powerful force for reducing gender inequity. Further, being prepared about how to respond to everyday sexism can help women feel more confident in their interactions with others.

Did you miss this Spring Workshop? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Data on Utah women suggest that sexual minority women are economically disadvantaged with respect to three key areas: educational attainment, employment status, and household income.

Did you miss this Spring Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The February 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The last few years have been record-setting years for women running for office across the country, and we are seeing similar trends in Utah. When more women run, more women win.

Did you miss this Spring Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Poverty is linked to many interrelated facets of overall wellbeing, and Utahns recognize the need to reduce poverty rates among those who struggle on a day-to-day basis.

Did you miss this Spring Symposium event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The UWLP White Paper Series offers research-based reports on specific issues that impact Utah girls and women, along with related policy recommendations. Childcare is a vital part of our state’s social and economic infrastructure and is increasingly critical for working parents.

The January 2022 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

In this study, the “Objectification” theme included comments in which women were viewed or treated more as objects than as human beings. Speaking up against sexism can be a powerful tool for reducing gender inequity.

Speaking up against sexism can be a powerful force for reducing gender inequity, as it can help others challenge their own biases and model more equitable forms of communication. Further, being prepared to respond to everyday sexism can help women feel more confident in their interactions with others.

The December 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The UWLP White Paper Series offers research-based reports on specific issues that impact Utah girls and women, along with related policy recommendations. This paper focuses on women's equality in Utah.

Did you miss this Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The November 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

As sexist comments are pervasive, and appropriate responses elusive, this research study was designed with the intent of collecting and analyzing a wide variety of sexist comments experienced by women across the state of Utah, in addition to the responses women made (or wish they had made) to such comments.

Did you miss this Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

Women in Utah have a strong history of political engagement. This research snapshot outlines recommendations for Utah women and girls' civic engagement as well as the importance of civic participation as it has the potential to influence every aspect of society.

The October 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

This snapshot summarizes the gender wage gap in Utah, which is the difference between what women and men earn for performing full-time, year-round paid work. Closing the gap will strengthen economic stability and prosperity for families, communities, and the state.

Did you miss this Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

The UWLP White Paper Series offers research-based reports on specific issues that impact Utah girls and women, along with related policy recommendations. This paper focuses on leave laws in the state of Utah.

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) hosts “think tank” gatherings to collect best practices for various stakeholders interested in supporting and empowering Utah women. Learn more about what mayors can do to strengthen the impact of Utah girls and women.

This research brief sheds light on the health effects of COVID-19 on working women. The pandemic affected every aspect of life, especially physical and mental health. Learn about important actions that can support the mental and physical health of Utah women in the workforce.

The September 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Did you miss this Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

There are many factors that previous research briefs have found can impact the wellbeing of women in the workplace during the pandemic. This research brief investigates the impact of maintaining a resilient mindset, which has been shown to help individuals better overcome challenges they may face. In doing so, we hope to share proven tools that could help Utahns cope and rebound stronger.

This snapshot summarizes research regarding physical activity levels, access, and barriers for girls and young women to help decision makers understand that instilling physically active habits early can improve the health and wellbeing of Utah women for the rest of their lives.

The August 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected workers across the globe, and women in the workforce have been disproportionately impacted. In this brief, we focus on qualitative findings regarding care work experiences—including caring for people other than one’s own children—during the pandemic.

The UWLP White Paper Series offers research-based reports on specific issues that impact Utah girls and women, along with related policy recommendations. This paper focuses on the gender pay gap and state equal pay laws.

The July 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

As women’s political presence and influence have slowly continued to increase, the way they have been represented in the media has also evolved. The purpose of this brief is to bring to light how the media portrays female political figures in Utah.

The June 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

This research and policy brief sheds light on some of the nonwork-related effects of COVID-19 on women in Utah’s labor force, particularly those with children in the home. Learn about how COVID-19 has had an impact on childcare and homeschooling.

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) hosted a series of “think tank” gatherings to collect best practices for various stakeholders interested in supporting and empowering Utah women. Find out more about what city council members can do to strengthen girls and women.

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 has impacted every Utahn in significant ways. Yet, research has found that women have been even more negatively impacted than men. For example, nearly 3 million American women have left the labor force over the past year and not returned.

The May 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

This brief provides an update for 2021, focused only on the higher education portion of the previous related briefs. The purpose of this brief is to determine what, if any, progress has been made in women’s leadership within Utah’s higher education sector.

Did you miss this Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry! You can read about it and watch the full recording here.

National and global reports have argued that women's employment and careers have been disproportionately impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about how this has impacted the women of Utah.

The April 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Did you miss this Spring Women's Leadership Forum event? Don't worry- you can learn more about this event and watch the full recording here.

The March 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Did you miss this Women's Leadership Forum event? You can learn about this event and watch the full recording here!

Did you miss this workshop? Learn more and watch the recording here!

The February 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

This report updates the 2017 brief titled “The Status of Women in Utah Politics” and provides both Utah and national data for the following seven areas: Congress, statewide executive offices, state legislatures, counties, mayors, city councils, and boards of education.

Read about our Spring Forum event with Sheri Dew and Dr. Susan Madsen and find the link to the full recording in this blog recap.

The January 2021 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

The findings in this brief can be a resource for women in terms of what to expect, and it can also help individuals, groups, and entities improve the ways they encourage and support women as candidates and elected officials.

This 4-part series introduces educators, parents, and other influencers to research studies focused on the biological and socialized distinctions between genders with application to designing customized and effective learning experiences.

The COVID-19 pandemic that reached Utah in March of 2020 has had an enormous impact on the way companies do business. Many companies adjusted work practices and policies in other ways to support their employees during a challenging time.

The December 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

On November 17th, the Utah Women & Leadership Project hosted a workshop entitled “Emotional Wellbeing for Young Women: Understanding Your Brain, Body, and Behavior.” Read the recap here.

On November 11th, the Utah Women & Leadership Project held a Women’s Leadership Forum event entitled “Feeling Like a Fraud: Navigating Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome as Women.” Read the recap here

The November 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

When both men and women work together in leadership roles, organizations thrive. This holds true for government—and democratic governance processes in general—and it supports the call to reflect gender diversity at all levels.

On October 29th, the Utah Women & Leadership Project Hosted a workshop entitled “ Writing for the Popular Press: A Workshop for Utah Women.” Read the recap here.

On October 13th, the Utah Women & Leadership Project hosted a Women’s Leadership Forum entitled “Utah Women in 2020: Challenges, Opportunities, and Next Steps.” Read the recap here.

Understanding the relationship between gender and those who are in positions to influence agenda-setting strategies and public policy can translate into behavior-changing actions. Identifying and mitigating persistent challenges and barriers clears the way for enhanced opportunities for women’s equal representation across city agencies and leadership levels. This shift will benefit not only women and government organizations, but also families, communities, and the state as a whole.

The October 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

On September 18th, the Utah Women & Leadership Project hosted a Women’s Leadership Forum entitled “Exploring the Intersectionality of Race & Gender.” Read the recap here.

This new curriculum encourages young women to pursue post-secondary education. This curriculum packet was designed to assist the Utah Women & Leadership Project's mission of strengthening the impact of Utah girls and women. It is available to use, free of charge, with groups of young women in various settings (e.g., churches, schools, community, nonprofit, families). It is not to be used by those intending to make a profit.

Understanding the relationship between gender and those who are in positions to influence agenda-setting strategies and public policy can translate into behavior-changing actions. Identifying and mitigating persistent challenges and barriers clears the way for enhanced opportunities for women’s equal representation across state agencies and leadership levels. This shift will benefit not only women and government organizations, but also families, communities, and the state as a whole.

The September 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

On August 18th, the Utah Women & Leadership Project held its first Women’s Leadership Forum of the academic year called “The Gender Wage Gap: Digging Deep into Understanding The Complexity.” This event was a panel discussion focused on understanding the wage gap issues in Utah.

This curriculum packet was designed to assist the Utah Women & Leadership Project's mission of strengthening the impact of Utah girls and women. It is available to use, free of charge, with groups of young women in various settings (e.g., churches, schools, community, nonprofit, families). It is not to be used by those intending to make a profit.

The August 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Understanding the relationship between gender and those who are in positions to influence agenda-setting strategies and public policy can translate into behavior-changing actions. Identifying and mitigating persistent challenges and barriers clears the way for enhanced opportunities for women’s equal representation across state agencies and leadership levels. This shift will benefit not only women and government organizations, but also families, communities, and the state as a whole.

The June 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Women whose professional expertise includes advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within organizations know from personal experience, in addition to their research and training, about the barriers women of color face, and how they can be addressed.

Religious and faith-based organizations are of vital importance to many individuals and families, and these leaders recognize the positive role they can have in the lives of Utah women and girls.

The May 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

How does Utah fare in comparison to the rest of the nation? Utah is home to 287,803 small businesses that have 572,888 employees—46.2% of Utah’s workforce. In 2016, Utah was ranked 8th for women-owned businesses, 11th in growth by number of firms, 4th in growth by revenue, and 30th in growth by employment.

In an article published by The Atlantic, Karyn Bruggeman asserts that “if women are going to achieve parity in elective office, most of the gains will have to come from the GOP” (Bruggmen, 2015).

Throughout much of history, women have been seen as an extension of their male relatives when it comes to finances; American women were not allowed to own property in their names until the mid-1800s, overt pay discrimination was legal until 1963, and women could not access credit on their own until 1974.

The April 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Good mental health is a critical component of overall wellbeing, hence the influence of therapists is expanding in Utah. As they increasingly recognize and address gender-specific challenges, mental health providers can positively influence girls and women, as well as families, communities, and the state as a whole.

The March 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

According to Better Days 2020, “The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of Utah women being the first in the nation to vote under an equal suffrage law. It also marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, extending women’s voting rights throughout the United States, and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, protecting voting rights of women and men of racial minorities.”

Though the role of a journalist is to report about the world objectively, the very nature of public media puts these professionals in a visible and trusted position. In choosing which stories to tell and how to tell them, reporters and producers naturally influence attitudes and beliefs. Media professionals can positively impact women and girls in the broader culture.

The February 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Utah is below the national average in terms of women holding leadership roles within nearly all settings (e.g., state boards and commissions, business, education, government, politics, and religious).

The January 2020 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Female college students in Utah face unique challenges and have lagged their national peers in terms of college completion. Informed academic advisors are well-positioned to help Utah women gain the many lifelong benefits that come from finishing a college degree.

The December 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

In 2016, the Utah Women & Leadership Project published a research and policy brief titled “The Status of Women on Utah State Boards & Commissions.” It provided useful data to individuals, groups, organizations, and communities working toward improving the equality and impact of girls and women throughout the state.

The November 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

In September of 2019, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of financial experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help Utah women financially. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

The October 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Well-informed health care providers are uniquely positioned to support and strengthen girls and women over a lifetime. This discussion focused on how practitioners can influence through providing quality patient care, serving as visible role models, educating their communities, mentoring, and advocating broadly to promote women’s wellbeing.

The September 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

In 2016, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) released a research snapshot called “Voting and Civic Engagement Among Utah Women," the first in the Utah Women Stats research snapshot series. At the time, despite having a strong history of women’s political and civic involvement, Utah had fallen to the bottom of national rankings in terms of women’s political participation.

According to a recent article in Utah Business Magazine, Utah had the strongest job growth in the nation in 2018, with no signs of slowing down. Forbes ranked Utah second in their 2018 Best States for Business scorecard, moving it up from third the previous year. Given the increase in the number of high-tech firms in Utah, it should come as no surprise that many jobs are based in the STEM.

The August 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Sports participation is a widely recognized pathway to leadership, and coaches are in an ideal position to positively influence their athletes. This discussion focused on how coaches can first lead by example and then work to support girls’ personal development and resilience.

The June 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

This idea sheet is based on a 2019 gathering of 30 Young Women leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (hereafter, “the Church”) in Utah. Since around 60% of Utahns identify as members of the Church, these leaders have the potential to influence a large segment of Utah teens.

The May 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

Utah fathers recognize the strong influence local culture can have on the way their daughters develop their sense of self. The state’s distinct environment, with its own set of social norms, can affect girls and young women in both positive and negative ways. Fathers can work to support their daughters’ efforts to navigate cultural influences.

The April 2019 Newsletter for the Utah Women & Leadership Project highlights new resources released, editorials, and announcements about women's groups and partnerships.

This idea sheet is based on a 2019 gathering of 25 elementary school principals and other administrators who met to discuss ways they can support girls in Utah, both in educational success and in many other areas of life.

This idea sheet is based on a 2018 gathering of 25 mothers who are raising school-aged daughters in Utah. With the knowledge that mothers are one of the most powerful influences in a girl’s life, this discussion focused on various topics, including culture, confidence and self-discovery, education, personal and social development, and resilience.

Although Utah research has shown that there has been slight progress in terms of women and leadership in some sectors, national sources continue to rank Utah as one of the worst states for women’s equality. Clearly there is still work to be done to “move the needle” so that more Utah women become leaders.

This idea sheet is based on a 2018 gathering of 65 leaders of women’s networks, groups, and organizations in Utah in many arenas. It provides an overview of opportunities to influence cultural attitudes in ways that are relevant in all settings, followed by specific ideas and solutions to advance and empower women and girls in more distinct environments.

Substance use disorders, including the opioid epidemic, have reached crisis levels throughout the United States, and Utah is no exception. In 2017, more than 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, a number that has doubled in the past decade.

Understanding that male engagement is critical in reducing workplace gender imbalances, these suggestions focus on what men can do in professional settings to create awareness, rethink systems, build capacity (in both women and men), foster developmental relationships, and advocate for necessary cultural change.

In September of 2018, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help Utah women become entrepreneurs and business owners. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

Childcare is an important consideration for millions of American families; 71% of all women with children under 18 are in the labor force, comprising one-third of the total female workforce in the U.S. Further, childcare costs are becoming increasingly burdensome; in the U.S. generally, and in 33 states specifically (including Utah), the annual cost of childcare is higher than the cost of in-state tuition at a four-year public college.

One recent in-depth study showed Utah ranking sightly below the national average in the percentage of adults who suffer from poor mental health, the state regularly reports rates higher than the national average for depression. Utah women, like women nationally, are diagnosed with depression at much higher rates than men.

School counselors recognize they can influence the culture within their schools and even beyond. But first, they must be aware of the cultural pressures and messages reaching female students. For example, they can recognize how confidence and low self-esteem may affect educational success or aspirations and explore the impact of social media.

In 2014, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) released a research and policy brief titled “The Status of Women Leaders in Utah Business.” The document was one of four released in 2014 that focused on understanding the status of women’s leadership in politics, education, nonprofits, and business.

Utah’s population is growing and changing. While Utah maintains its signature demographics, it is also trending toward the nation in key metrics. Utah is becoming more ethnically diverse, fertility is decreasing, and migration has become a constant and significant source of population growth.

Women who reported sexual harassment, the "silence breakers," were chosen by time magazine as the person of the year for 2017. Although workplace sexual harassment has likely been around since the conception of workplaces, and sexual harassment has been illegal in the U.S. for decades.

Over the past several years, Utah men and women have made great strides toward increasing postsecondary educational attainment as an increasing proportion of adults hold a college degree or trade certificate. These efforts have brought the state closer to reaching its goal of 66% of the population holding a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2020.

The nonprofit sector “consists of entities or organizations that are neither part of government nor generate a profit.”2 Nonprofits typically encompass voluntary, charitable, independent, third, or nongovernmental agencies, associations, and foundations. According to the IRS, the U.S. nonprofit sector is the third-largest employing industry after retail trade and manufacturing.

Utah is full of engaged, passionate individuals who frequently ask the question, “What can I personally and/or professionally do to strengthen the impact of Utah girls and women?” To provide specific answers to that question, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) team hosted a series of “think tank” gatherings to collect best practices.

Many factors contribute to the gender disparity in the amount of time men and women spend doing unpaid care work. Countries where traditional gender norms are still deeply entrenched, including many developing nations, have some of the highest differences in the amount of unpaid care work performed by women and men.

Five inspirational women from around the state spoke on this season’s theme: Finding our voices and the courage to use them. Each speaker had a unique take on what it means to tap into one’s unique voice. The evening was a powerful reminder of how difficult it can be for women to identify their authentic voice.

When I began working in marketing, my boss was a woman. She allowed me flexibility and let me bring my preschooler to the office on occasion. I also unfortunately witnessed and experienced overt sexism in the company culture, which negatively affected how I and other women were promoted, compensated, and treated.

In October of 2017, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help Utah caregivers. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

Sheer numbers tell us it’s difficult for women to reach the highest echelons of business, politics, academia, and entertainment. Cultural and social norms can make it feel like a woman’s place isn’t in leadership, and sometimes the little voices in our heads tell us we just aren’t good enough.

This post will highlight Sui Lang Panoke and her presentation on social media and finding your voice. Sui is the founder of Women Politics Media, and RE-Think Tank. Through these organizations, Sui works to train leaders, primarily women, emerging leaders and people of color in communication.

In September 2017, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of healthcare experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions to help Utah women have access to health care. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

In 2014, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) released a research and policy brief titled, “The Status of Women Leaders in Utah Education.” The document was one of four released in 2014 that focused on understanding the status of women’s leadership in politics, education, nonprofits, and business.

Did you know that 72% of Utah’s adult women work? In Utah, women make up 44% of the total workforce. Utah Women and Education researchers have conducted in-depth research to shed light on why more young women around the state are not attending and graduating from college.

In 2016, American women earned approximately 20% less than men. Compared to White men, White women earn 75.3%, Black women earn 63.3%, Native American women earn 57.7%, and Hispanic/Latina women earn 54.4%. These numbers are comparing median earnings of full time, year-round work between men and women.

In 2016, American women earned approximately 20% less than men. 1 This gap has narrowed substantially since 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was passed and women earned 41% less than men; 2 yet a gap persists, and a half century later women are still paid less than men in almost every occupation.

In June of 2017, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help the gender wage gap in Utah. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

Celina is a trusted center of influence with an extensive diversified network. Her passion and enthusiasm live in serving the communities of her home state. Born and raised in West Jordan, Celina’s background is in the travel and hospitality industry where she worked in various roles over 10 years.

A majority of the participants who had never attended college had once aspired to go. Some still see it as part of their future although existing data show that only a small percentage will actually follow through later in life. Participants who never aspired to get a college degree were a minority in this population.

Utah Women and Education Project researchers conducted in-depth research in 2010 to discover why more young women around the state are not attending and graduating from college. We discovered that fathers in Utah have a significant influence on their daughters’ college choices and regarding graduating from college.

In March 2017, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help Utahans have access to child care. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

A majority of the participants’ mothers wanted their daughters to attend college. Some mothers wanted their daughters to become independent career women while others believed that a college degree should be used as a backup plan in case their husbands were unable to care for them.

Ms. Han grew up in San Diego, California as the oldest of 7 children (5 brothers and 1 sister). She moved to Lehi, Utah while in high school and graduated from Lehi High. After high school she attended Snow College and UVSC. At UVSC she was involved with ASUVSC, the Service Learning Center, and many other campus organizations.

Do you want this year to be different? Are you looking to get your first, or your next, big promotion? You’re not alone. Research showed that, while men and women wanted to be promoted in equal numbers, women were far less likely to move forward in their organization.

Approximately 80% of U.S. women do not like how they look; furthermore, research shows that poor body image affects girls and women worldwide. Body image is “the perception that a person has of their physical self and the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception.

Not surprisingly, almost 90% of the young women participating in our survey believed that they received at least some level of support from their teachers in their high school scholastic efforts. A small minority (6%) felt they did not receive any support at all. The participants also provided in-depth responses regarding the influence of teachers.

In 2010, Utah Women and Education Project researchers conducted in-depth research to discover why more young women around the state are not attending and graduating from college. In this blog, we look at the influence school counselors and administrators have on young women attending college.

One of the things we discovered during our research is that school counselors and administrators can have a powerful influence on a young woman’s college decision. However, in our sample we found that only 32% of counselors and only one lone principal seized the opportunity to do so with these young women.

During my MATC schooling my senior year we had to prepare a career packet which consisted of a resume and a referral letter from an adult. He was obliged to provide the letter for me and after reading it, I realized how much confidence he had in my abilities to learn, and be a wonderful contributor to society.

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers among U.S. women and the primary cause of cancer death among women in Utah.1 Yet, research has found that deaths from breast cancer can be substantially reduced if the tumor is discovered early, and mammography screening is the most effective method for the early detection.

I have never been one led by particular goals or a designated path. I’m a farm kid from Idaho who learned the value of hard work and doing the right thing at a young age from the parents and grandparents who raised me. At every opportunity I have had in life, I have tried to do the right thing.

In 2010, Utah Women and Education Project researchers conducted in-depth research to discover why more young women around the state are not attending and graduating from college. Here, we look at some of the many benefits women experience after getting a college degree.

We discovered that many young women in Utah do not understand the broad value of a college education. Most (96.3%) study participants understood that a college degree can benefit them financially; they knew they could potentially get a “good” or “higher paying job” if they had more education.

I have heard many law students describe their decision to come to law school as a “calling,” and because when you choose to follow a path you also choose its destination, a “calling” to the law as well. Students’ stories of this “call” illustrate a spiritual impetus that moved them here with a hunger to acquire legal skills.

I believe often times we are called to do the work we do. Several opportunities and experiences have lead me to women’s leadership. I have always been interested in why women lead and was so curious to understand the origins of those transformational moments in a women’s life.

According to the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, more than 40% of adult homicides in Utah since 2000 have been domestic violence related. Domestic violence is often presumed to refer only to physical violence, but it also includes many other forms of abuse—emotional, verbal, financial, and spiritual.

Female students’ (in K-12) achievement in mathematics and science is on par with their male peers and female students participate in high level mathematics and science courses at similar rates as their male peers, with the exception of computer science and engineering” (NSF, Science & Engineering Indicators, 2016).

I didn’t know my path would lead towards being a House Representative. I’ve always been drawn to serve people. It felt right to be involved with my community and contribute as much as I can to where it is needed. After seeing the lack of improvements, I wanted to stand up and give the unheard a loud voice.

I have come to realize that I am a product of “hardy stock” –a line of strong women. Both my mother and her mother were born in Pacific Junction, Iowa, a town that regularly experiences the flooding of the Missouri River. When I asked my mother “why do people stay?” Her reply was, “It’s their home, where would they go?”

It has been three years since the release of the first set of UWLP status briefs. This report updates the 2014 brief titled “The Status of Women in Utah Politics.” Tracking progress through updated status reports is an important way to help decision makers and other influencers clarify what is working and to determine and refine best steps moving forward.

She directs all research on workforce development and STEM education for API, with a special focus on promoting the industry’s work with non-traditional allies. This research includes studies on employment projections, educational attainment trends, building trades and labor unions.

Over the last 50 years the presence of Utah women in the labor force has slowly increased at about 8% per year. Utah women are unique in that they are less likely to full time, year round. Many factors contribute to this including marital status, and family status. More than 40% of Utah women work in just two occupational groups.

In December of 2016, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help Utah increase women's participation in the labor force. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

Six primary themes emerged from the qualitative data gathered from the combined survey and dialogue table notes. There is interesting overlap between these data and those listed above. First, the most frequently mentioned solution is to help more women in Utah to attend and complete college.

Eva Tukuafu, MSW, LCSW is a clinical program manager and social worker in the Movement Disorder and Neuromuscular Divisions at the University of Utah, Department of Neurology. She joined the Department of Neurology in April 2015 in a newly created position.

Utah has improved its national ranking for individuals in science and engineering occupations as a percentage of all occupations: from 19th in 2013 to 13th in 2014.5 Yet, Utah women are not necessarily part of this growth, as they lag behind men in STEM participation.

Growing Up. Over half of the survey participants said that they had their greatest struggles with confidence between 6th and 12th grades. Factors that most negatively affected confidence included unstable or unsafe homes, dysfunctional families (i.e., abuse and neglect), and poor relationship with parents.

Nearly one in two women in the U.S. will experience some form of sexual violence victimization in her lifetime (broadly defined), and Utah has the same overall rate. According to the most recent Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice report, when considering more specific definitions.

Over the past half-century or so, Utah women’s participation in the labor force has steadily increased at a rate of about 8% per decade. According to the most recent (2015) U.S. Census Bureau estimates, women in Utah make up 43.9% of the state workforce, which is slightly lower than the national workforce.

The gender wage gap in Utah is one of the highest in the nation; women are much more likely to work minimum wage jobs, and women in Utah have lower levels of educational achievement—particularly at the bachelor’s degree level and higher—than women across the nation.

Michelle Mumford is an attorney in private practice in Salt Lake. She attended law school at Brigham Young University and worked at a large law firm on Wall Street after law school. She took eight years off to be at home with young children, and then reentered the legal profession as a clerk for Judge Monroe G. McKay.

Confidence and Related Terms. “Acting” and “doing” build confidence. We need to “act” to make a difference and to be effective leaders. Understanding the differences and relationships among confidence, self-esteem, self-compassion, optimism, and self-efficacy is critical.

In this blog we highlight the results from the first two research questions analyzed: “Why does Utah struggle with getting more women in leadership roles?” and “What do you think about Utah women, leadership, and confidence?” Data on these questions were gathered from the UWLP LinkedIn group.

I am passionate about making a difference. As the director of the Division of Family and Community Relations in the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my responsibilities include local business, interfaith and community relationships, as well women’s, LGBT and race issues.

Overall, women in Utah live in poverty at a lower rate than the national average: Utah women (12.2%) vs. U.S. women (16%), and census data for 2015 ranks Utah 12th in the nation for the percentage of people living above the poverty line. The poverty rates are notably worse for certain groups.

DeLaina Tonks has been the director of Utah’s award-winning Mountain Heights Academy since 2009. Prior to leading Mountain Heights Academy, DeLaina taught high school French and Spanish, and worked as an instructional designer in Upper Arlington, Ohio. She also ran a family business for several years.

Utah has a strong history of women’s political and civic involvement. The state was an early leader in giving women the vote, was home to the first female state senator in the nation, and as recently as 1996, had the strongest women’s voter participation in the United States.

I am majoring in Business Management with an emphasis in International Business and with a minor in Digital Media Product Management and Russian studies. In addition to regular course work, I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at UVU.

The UWLP has published a number of research and policy briefs to help Utahans understand the status of women in a variety of settings and roles (i.e., politics, education, nonprofits, business, and entrepreneurs). This brief continues that research by exploring the status of women on Utah state boards and commissions.

There are many barriers preventing girls and young women from obtaining a post-secondary degree. Financial concerns are number one, and yet all of the data points to the fact that in our state, scholarships and financial aid are drastically underutilized. The other major barrier is more subtle, and may be more specific to Utah girls.

Crystal is the managing partner and co-founder of Brand.Pink: a cause-oriented marketing, branding, PR, and event production firm since 2010. She is also the Executive Director of the Utah Cultural Alliance. In existence since 1981, the Utah Cultural Alliance boasts over 150 member organizations and individuals.

It’s no secret that men and women are different, from the way we look to the way we behave. Amongst those differences are inherent leadership strengths each gender boasts. As female leaders, we often spend time focusing on men’s natural leadership qualities because men achieve and retain the majority of leadership positions.

One of the reasons I love working for McKinnon-Mulherin is that we are always working on new projects with diverse clients, which keeps things interesting and satisfies my hankering to learn about new things. Over the years, I’ve done everything from writing million-dollar government proposals to creating multi-day instructor-led training.

My primary career for the past 25 years has been raising my five wonderful children. I have been a volunteer and taught ESL to federal inmates for the 17 of those years at Davis County Jail. I have also been a mentor at an alternative high school for low income students and I’ve spent many years as a member on the community council.

A cover letter is your opportunity to show what you know about the job and to demonstrate why you’re the best fit. The cover letter lets you express your personality, passion, and goals – where your resume focuses on your skills and qualifications. A brief and well-written cover letter also demonstrates your ability to write and communicate.

Margaret R. Tarampi, Ph.D. Assoc. AIA is a Research Associate in the Center for Spatial Studies at University of California Santa Barbara and a postdoctoral researcher working with Mary Hegarty in the UCSB Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. She's also an Associate Instructor in the Department of Psychology at UofU.

A PhD Candidate Counseling Psychology at BYU, her academic research is primarily in the area of multicultural competence in Psychotherapy. Her social justice interests are broadly defined, but can expressed through the term intersectional feminism. Mica enjoys community activism and is involved with several non-profits.

Holly Richardson is a wife, mother, small business owner and political activist, often known as “Holly on the Hill.” She is delighted to currently work with Dr. Susan Madsen and the team at the Utah Women and Education Initiative.Other previous work has included being a midwife, a state legislator, and a social media consultant.

Eve Miller is the director of research for FranklinCovey Education and an adjunct instructor at the University of Utah. Eve has a PhD. in cognitive neuroscience from the University of Utah and did most of her academic research on the environmental factors that play a role in cognitive performance.

Charlene McArthur Albarran was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. She graduated with honors from Boise State University with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Statistics. She was founder and CEO of three companies. She has also founded and served as president of two foundations, both dedicated to the homeless.

I’m still figuring out my path, and I think that’s true of most people. I am an activator, achievor, learner, and futurist, so I spend probably too much time visioning what’s ahead and how I can get there. I also am one who will try a variety of paths and methods and see what sticks.

Worked for the Utah Department of Human Services since 1991. Currently, the Director of the Office of Licensing and oversees the licensure of all human service programs throughout the state, including treatment facilities and foster homes. Prior to that worked with the Division of Child and Family Services for over 20 years.

I am currently Superintendent of Schools in the Iron County School District located in Cedar City Utah. I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else (professionally) that could be more rewarding. I am committed to the work and the service that takes place in our schools and love the people I am privileged to associate with everyday.

There are some days when the weight of my responsibilities and my physical limitations are poignant. It’s almost enough to make you crazy to think that you can’t just jump in a car and go wherever you want to go—that you have to get a ride with someone or pay for a taxi.

I have worked at Mountainland Applied Technology College in Utah County for almost 12 years. Throughout my time there I have worked in a variety of departments including Student Services, Finance, and currently as the Director of Healthcare Programs. When I made the decision to go back to school, I knew it would have to be 100% online.

I am currently a PhD candidate in Education, Culture, and Society at the University of Utah. I have been teaching writing composition courses at the U of U, as well as a variety of other English, communication, general education, and writing courses at several other local universities and colleges.

Brené is an advocate of one’s vulnerability and embodiment of the phrase: good enough. She is a phenomenal woman and motivator. She has vulnerably shared her own story with the world, proving that through your own struggles you can help others to reach their fullest potential.

I have always loved school. I was a quintessential teachers pet as a kid, got good grades, always did my homework, and wanted nothing more than to teach high school. I went to Boise State right out of high school on an honors scholarship, but still had to work two jobs to pay for my apartment and living expenses.

I am studying to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Besides the fact that working with kids can be great fun, I believe that if you want to have healthy populations you need to start with supporting the health of children. I am attending school in Colorado because my specialty is not offered in Utah.

What makes being a woman business owner different? Utah women are unique in both how effective they are at starting and operating businesses, but also the reasons behind why and what they sell. What is truly amazing is how women in Utah are starting businesses 5 times faster than the national average.

I graduated from BYU in Accounting in 1981. I earned my CPA in California and worked in Public Accounting with a “big 8” firm. Over the years I remained engaged in my profession even when I was predominantly a full time mother. I eventually stepped back into the workforce part time, and then full time.

Sometimes a degree is only viewed as a stepping-stone to a lucrative career, but maybe that’s part of the problem with the gender and education gap. If a college education is only viewed as a prereq to that nice salary position, those who don’t see themselves in the breadwinner role or the white-collar job.

I currently work at Utah State University Eastern as the Director of Student Life, Leadership, and Involvement. In this position, I work directly with our student government and student activities team, leadership programs, and diversity and inclusion programs.

I attend the University of Utah School of Medicine as a second year medical student, so right now my life mostly consists of studying, studying, and studying. The good news is the things I get to learn and do are incredibly exciting and I feel very privileged to be learning how to care for patients.

Before retiring in May 2014, my mom, Kathy, worked in a sector of education which is often overlooked, but imperative for those struggling with speech difficulties. As a speech language pathologist (SLP) she was employed in the Utah public school districts for a little over 35 years.

“Too nasty.” “Too mean.” “Too confrontive.” “Too intrusive.” These are just a few of the common responses I receive when approaching capable women about possibly running for political office. And who can blame them? Spend any amount of time watching the political pundit de jour and you can leave disillusioned and pessimistic.

A long and circuitous path has led me to my current career in education. As an undergraduate in the early 00’s I was pretty dead-set on following a route that would lead me directly to a PhD in primatology. I spent a few years working at the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Central Florida.

I currently work as an office manager at Ascione Law in Orem. I really groove on organization and in improving and streamlining systems and processes. I am an ISTJ for you Myers-Briggs fans. I am interested in moving into operations but the lack of a degree is limiting my ability to do that.

I’m currently at Westminster, and I actually LIKE doing research and writing literature reviews. I never want to leave grad school. I work as a legal assistant for a solo practice attorney, and the clerk at Staples calls me his “little sidekick.” I like to play “The Hills” in the background while I write papers and file court documents.

When I saw my son start to struggle, all I could think was “That will not happen to my child!” So I started learning more and more about dyslexia. I found help for my son and a passion for helping other families and their children. There is no reason that ANY CHILD should ever be ashamed of the way they think and learn.

There are 21 women out of approximately 65 interns. Moreover, there are only 3 women of color that I can see (including myself). Of course, this is a dramatic improvement from 1998, when now-Salt Lake City Mayor (and my former boss) Jackie Biskupski first took her seat in the House of Representatives.

I received my PhD in Business Policy and Strategy from The Ohio State University. I earned a Master’s in Organizational Behavior and a B.A in Economics, both from Brigham Young University. Prior to my appointment on the faculty at Westminster College, I was on the faculty at Cal Poly for seven years.

I’m really excited about the possibilities for teaching children different non-violent conflict resolution practices and for contributing to a more sustainable, socially equitable educational system.I think it’s a moral imperative to take action through education to make the world a more peaceful place.

This is my first semester in the Master’s of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Utah. It has been a blast so far! There are 34 of us in the class of 2018 and we have become close already. Our professors are so knowledgeable and provide us with a lot of practical insights. I am thrilled that this dream came true for me!

While cold calling or emailing your resume may work, it really is best if you are able to network with your interviewer. Do you know someone who might know your interviewer? Have them introduce you or put in a good word for you. Networking is everything, but it’s become this overwhelming buzzword.

Her original career aspiration was to become a biology teacher; but just prior to going to college, a seed was planted that would grow and blossom many years later in a way that she didn’t expect. When she was a student at Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho, the football team pulled a prank on rivals.

As a result of my egalitarian upbringing, it had never occurred to me that I could not have both a family and a career (after all, my mom did). I was seventeen before I encountered a certain idea typically prevalent within my faith culture: that good, worthy motherhood was only of the full-time stay-at-home variety.

Trying to choose between career paths or majors? Are you having trouble deciding between many interesting and appealing work settings? Are you looking for a rewarding, respected field where you can be a professional and still desire flexibility for your family? Perhaps you are looking for a profession with great pay.

Is Utah a good place for women to start and run businesses? You may be misled if you rely on what the media has been reporting the past few years about women in Utah. A host of state rankings has continually put Utah as one of the worst states in the nation for women.

I know I need it. Lots. Most of the time, I have some in stock. I just reach into my mental pantry and grab a jar of “Hey, I got this”. Or a whiff of the idea does the trick. I glimpse evidence that some part of my life is OK and get the needed boost. This is why I love having a clean kitchen and a stocked fridge.

It is impossible to overestimate the value of mothers as leaders. As the poet, William Ross Wallace, wrote, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” And we are all familiar with this quote from Abraham Lincoln: “All I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

When I married at 20, I knew I was making the right choice for me. I had found my best friend, and I wouldn’t let him go. I had one year until college graduation, and he had three. We started our life together as your typical poor, struggling college students, but we had a plan.

In many ways am a walking billboard for young Utah mother stereotypes. I met my husband in high school, we married when I was 20. I spend my days taking our two daughters, ages 2 and 4, to playdates with friends or story time at the library. We frequently attend Sunday dinners and group birthday celebrations.

Her job is supposed to be a part-time gig, but there’s nothing part time about the way she does it. She works seven to eight hours a day, including Saturdays. On weeknights she’s often in meetings, which is what happens when you belong to 33 boards and committees around the valley.

I am also a survivor of domestic violence. I am committed to educating my community as to the very real dangers that we are facing. I have spent countless hours on Capitol Hill advocating for change and pressing for new legislation that will truly protect and empower victims of domestic violence.

I typically responded to the first with a fake laugh to avoid giving an actual answer. No one really wants to hear the long answer, that I inherited my mother’s petite frame, and most of my meals were consumed standing up. I also have the mad skills of making one peanut butter sandwich last for hours.

For many people, the beginning of a new school year is a good time to make resolutions, start fresh, and improve habits. As a 7th grade teacher, I see girls and boys come into my classroom with varying degrees of trepidation, and some come with enthusiasm. They don’t have to sign their names.

If anything, men tilt toward overconfidence—and we were surprised to learn that they come by that state quite naturally. They aren’t consciously trying to fool anyone. Ernesto Reuben, a professor at Columbia Business School, has come up with a term for this phenomenon: honest overconfidence.

One day I stumbled upon an online community of women and discovered my situation was far from unique. With their examples and support, I began to look outside the home for things that would help give me a sense of purpose. As I began to do so, I felt recharged. I found that I truly enjoyed the process of solving a problem.

The elusive nature of confidence has intrigued us ever since we started work on our 2009 book, Womenomics, which looked at the many positive changes unfolding for women. To our surprise, as we talked with women, dozens of them, all accomplished and credentialed, we kept bumping up against a dark spot.

When I was five years old I decided I wanted to be a “pony doctor.” While other children my age watched cartoons when they got home from school, I watched a TV show on Animal Planet called Emergency Vets, which documented the various cases seen at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

Developing leadership is a lifelong journey, one in which we grow sometimes incrementally and sometimes by leaps and bounds. Learning from each other gives us the opportunity to shape what we become and to see more clearly how to refine our own capacity to contribute.

When I was just a young kid, I remember expressing to anyone that would listen what I wanted to be when I grew up. Every time I told a new listener what I wanted to be, I added preposterous new desires to my list of possible careers. Even after I graduated, I still had no idea what I want to do as a career...

Very few people succeed in business without a degree of confidence. Yet everyone, from young people in their first real jobs to seasoned leaders in the upper ranks of organizations, have moments — or days, months, or even years — when they are unsure of their ability to tackle challenges.

Studies continue to report that diverse and inclusive leadership teams produce more creative and innovative results. Diversity enhances creativity. It encourages the search for novel information and perspectives, leading to better decision making and problem solving.

Women tend to exhibit different leadership characteristics and attributes than men. These are not necessarily better or worse, merely different. Sometimes male attributes are needed; sometimes female attributes are preferred, and often both sets of attributes can add value to a situation.

Research clearly shows that CSR activities have a positive impact on an organization’s reputation, and as the authors of one report stated, “Companies viewed as ethical or good corporate citizens were more likely to have more women board directors than companies without those reputations.”

One retail company discovered that when their store employees matched the demographic profile of the community, it had increased sales. Since women constitute the majority of consumers today, companies are finding that it makes sense to have more female employees who better understand the needs of female consumers.

A series of recent studies has shown that organizations that have more women in management and on boards, on average, attain better financial results than do other organizations. Companies with the most women board directors out performed those with the least on return on sales.

Our counselors would interrupt our AP class periods to beg us to take the AP tests, dusting the $90 price tag under the words “class exempt” and “step ahead in college.” But when we were asked to indicate how many of us were actually planning on going to college, about half of us raised our hands. Half. In an AP class. Why?

Research demonstrates there are a host of benefits and strengths that accompany having women in management and leadership roles. But it’s not unusual in Utah or beyond for managers and top leadership teams to not fully realize the value of having women in key positions, not as the only leaders.

Did you know that engaging women in leadership positions provides a host of benefits to companies and organizations? Research points to a variety of benefits and advantages that come to companies and organizations when they include women in leadership.

A leader helps others do more than they thought they would do and also become more than they thought they could become. Look for the strengths in others and help mentor them. Sheri told of a time when she was new to a leadership position in which she was required to speak often.

The brief provides insights gathered from a group of women, many of them college students, who attended a presentation about confidence at UVU in September. For many of the participants, it was an eye-opener that renewed their courage and gave them confidence they didn’t know they had.

When I first heard of Deedee Corradini, circa 1988, Zions Bank President Ron Hanson had taken me to the Alta Club for lunch. His eyes lit up as he whispered to me, “Well, Deedee Corradini just walked in.” An impressive first introduction. The furniture backed up against the wall and all the men’s heads turned her way.

Wall Street 24/7 recently published an article titled “The 10 Worst States for Women,” using rankings from various sources on gender wage gap, percentage of women in state legislatures, percentage of women in management positions, poverty rate of women, and infant mortality rate.

When I was in 8th grade, the PTSA club I was a member of took a field trip to the State Capitol. At the time, the Capitol was undergoing renovations and the House was meeting in the basement of the west building. After meeting with our district’s representative, he introduced our group of students to Representative Becky Lockhart.

Women are more than just bodies! Yet the messages we’re bombarded with in the media tell us differently. Digital manipulation of celebrities, vast amounts of advertising for cosmetic surgeries, and unrealistic ideals being flaunted in the entertainment industry all give a false impression of women.

As important as confidence is evidence shows that girls and women struggle with confidence more than men do. They experience more anxiety and self-doubt. Women judge themselves harder and assume the blame when things go wrong. Women don’t let go of failures as quickly as men.

Women tend to care about developing others around them, which makes them particularly powerful mentors for women and men alike. Many of these traits make women effective in leveraging talent. Women contribute to increased productivity and higher team performance.

Research has shown that most managers and top leadership teams do not fully realize the value of having women in key positions, and this is the case across all sectors, including business, government, political, nonprofit, K-12 and higher education, religious, and community. Depending on the entity, this may include women in both paid and unpaid roles ranging from positions such as supervisor, coordinator, and manager, to school principal, council member, CEO, and board director.

In September 2013, the Center for American Progress released a report titled “The State of Women in America: A 50- State Analysis of How Women Are Faring Across the Nation.” This report ranks Utah last of all 50 states in terms of women being in positions of decision making and leadership.

In September of 2013, the Center for American Progress released a report titled “The State of Women in America: A 50- State Analysis of How Women Are Faring Across the Nation.” The report ranked Utah last of all 50 states in terms of women holding positions of decision making and leadership. Because the focus was solely on the percentage of women in elected office and private sector management positions, we determined that a more detailed look at the status of women and leadership in various sectors within the state would be useful.

In September 2013, the Center for American Progress released a report titled “The State of Women in America: A 50- State Analysis of How Women Are Faring Across the Nation.” This report ranks Utah last of all 50 states in terms of women being in positions of decision making and leadership. Although the focus is solely on the percentage of women in elected office and private sector management positions.

Utah leaders have set a goal of having 66% of the state’s adults earn postsecondary degrees or vocational certificates by the year 2020. The goal is based on data from Georgetown University projecting that to remain competitive, Utah’s economy will need 66% of its population to have some form of postsecondary education by 2018.

In August of 2016, the Utah Women and Leadership Project along with the YWCA of Utah brought a group of experts together to identify current resources/strengths, challenges, and potential interventions that would help increase Utah's female political representation. What follows are their recommendations organized by category.

Utah leaders have set a goal of having 66% of the state’s adults earn postsecondary degrees or vocational certificates by the year 2020. The goal is based on data from Georgetown University projecting that to remain competitive, Utah’s economy will need 66% of its population to have some form of postsecondary education by 2018.

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. There are occasional outliers, but in general, kids learn of their own potential and learn habits by watching their parents. My mom and dad love to learn. They read. They study. They write. They listen and discuss interesting topics in conversation.

My father was a teacher and the football coach at the high school I attended. I felt lucky to be in his health class. As a teenager I felt he had the best job a father could have. During high school I struggled with the decision of what course of study to pursue in college.

My marine biology dream was put on the shelf a couple years later because, at the ripe old age of 12, I decided that since I did not live by the ocean, being a marine biologist was not a realistic possibility. And while my logic for not pursuing that dream was flawed, looking back I realize my commitment to going to college was cemented.

Think of an important young girl in your life. Maybe she’s your teenage granddaughter, your niece in first grade, or your toddler. No matter her age, chances are she’s already forming her view of college. How do you show her that earning a college degree is an exciting challenge that will add great benefits to her life?

Utah leaders created a big goal: 66% of Utah’s population will have postsecondary degrees or vocational certificates by the year 2020. Utah’s economy will need 66% of its population with some form of postsecondary education by 2018 to remain competitive.

This is the second in the 2013 series of Utah Women and Education Initiative (UWEI) Research and Policy Briefs written to help state leaders, educators, legislators, and community members understand the current state of higher education for women in Utah. The first brief on education attainment of the Utah population included information about Utah’s big goal of having 66% of Utah’s population with postsecondary degrees or vocational certificates by the year 2020.

Here we are in January and we find ourselves thinking about opportunities to improve ourselves and our lives… at least you can’t look anywhere without being reminded it’s time to make new goals, start a new exercise routine, or organize some aspect of your life.

Among those most likely to vote nationally and in Utah are college educated women. In fact, the percentage of women who register and vote increases with every level of educational attainment. High school graduates take the rate up to 66.6%, and those with some college register at an even higher rate of 77.2%.

Utah’s tech jobs pay 57% more than the state’s average wage, and the top 10 bachelor-degree majors with the highest median earnings are all in STEM fields. Dr. Cheryl Hanewicz, technology management department chair at UVU says, “There are not a lot of women in the fields, but these are the high-paying fields.”

You were more likely to be prepared when you started school if your mother had a college degree. You were more likely read too. If your mother had to work, she was more likely to find a family-friendly job that provided some flexibility and/or higher pay, allowing her to spend more time with you.

Since 1940, Utah has consistently been above the national average in the percentage of adults holding bachelor’s degrees or higher. However, in the last two decades Utah has lost its advantage, and this is particularly true for women in the state. According to the Utah Foundation, the educational attainment of Utah women was higher than the national average.

The critical need for college-educated individuals within the state of Utah has become an ongoing discussion in a variety of settings. In fact, a newly released study commissioned by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) found that 99 percent of Utahns sampled believe that higher education is important; 82 percent say it is “very important.” Yet, in 2008 only 29 percent of Utahns 25 years and older held bachelor’s degrees or higher.

Most women will work during some stage of their lives – whether by choice or by circumstance. The greater a woman’s tools to succeed, the greater her options for work that is both meaningful and that allows her to make more money – increasing her chances of living above the poverty line.