United WE’s Appointments Project announces expansion to Richmond, Virginia

Office of Mayor Levar Stoney and the National League of Cities, in collaboration with Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR), announce their partnership to increase the number of women on local boards and commissions through United WE’s Appointments Project. Starting in 2014, the Appointments Project has resulted in more than 150 women being placed on boards and commissions.

“I’ve seen first-hand the need to address racial and gender disparities in civic leadership to ensure that we are drawing on the talents and diverse perspectives of our residents.” Myra Goodman Smith, LMR’s President and CEO, said. “Our partnership with the City of Richmond and United WE’s Appointments Project will strengthen the city by increasing the number of women and women of color who are at the decision-making table of their communities.”

United WE’s Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The award-winning approach guides women through applying for these positions and suggests applicants for appointment.

“Our research showed us that women don’t become civically engaged because they weren’t being asked. As a result, we created the Appointments Project so local boards and commissions could reflect the communities they serve,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “With the help of partners like Mayor Levar Stoney and Leadership Metro Richmond, we are addressing the gender disparities in local leadership and ability to make significant changes in our communities.” 

Based on a growing number of success stories, the pipeline of women leaders is growing rapidly across the country. The Appointments Project fills a critical need in creating a pathway to work with elected officials and better community representation that leads to better lives for all.  

An Information Session will be held virtually on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 6:00 pm with United WE, city officials, and LMR. “We encourage and invite everyone to learn more and join us in unlocking women’s potential for civic leadership,” Mayor Stoney said. Click here to learn about the Information Session: https://united-we.org/appointments-project.

About Leadership Metro Richmond 

Leadership Metro Richmond or LMR is a community leadership development and engagement organization. Since 1980, LMR has connected diverse community leaders, broadened their knowledge and perspectives on regional issues, and provided tools to increase their abilities to create impact through leadership. The flagship program, Leadership Quest, has developed over 2000 community leaders, preparing them to serve first, then lead. LMR presents national thought leaders in the Lora M. Robins Speaker Series and workshops to advance nonprofit governance. LMR’s Board Connector events and Board Concierge Services connect leaders and residents to nonprofit board service opportunities. For more information, visit www.lmronline.org and Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

About United WE 

United Women’s Empowerment, or United WE (formerly the Women’s Foundation), is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Since 1991, United WE has overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership by investing in research, advocacy, and policy solutions. We have conducted 19 meaningful research studies, advocated for issues resulting in 37 policy actions, and supported more than 150 civic appointments. Our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of women and families by commissioning transformative research, scaling our fast-growing Appointments Project, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing; and aid in fighting against sexual harassment. Unite with us. Visit www.united-we.org and connect with @UnitedWeEmpower on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Appointments Project

United WE’s fast-growing Appointments Project is a research-based, tested and systematic approach that has resulted in more than 150 women being appointed to civic boards and commissions. Through a landmark study, United WE identified the barriers causing women to be underrepresented on civic boards and commissions and established the Appointments Project in 2014. The Appointments Project empowers women and strengthens communities by increasing the gender diversity of civic boards and commissions to better reflect the communities they serve. In addition to increasing gender diversity, the project emphasizes increasing racial equity on civic boards and commissions among women, with women of color representing 34% of applicants. For more information, please visit www.united-we.org/appointments-project or follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram).

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