Breaking Barriers: How Researchers are Transforming Women’s Representation on Local Boards
An Interview with Notre Dame and University of Houston Researchers
Local boards and commissions wield significant influence over policies that shape communities, yet they remain an often overlooked facet of political representation. Recognizing this gap, researchers Christina Wolbrecht and Mirya Holman partnered with United WE. The research aims to uncover disparities in gender representation and explore solutions for more inclusive governance.
The Researchers Behind the Study
Dr. Christina Wolbrecht, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame, has dedicated her career to studying American political parties, historical political development, and the role of women in politics. Her work has extensively covered women's suffrage and their engagement in political parties.
Dr. Mirya Holman, an associate professor at the University of Houston’s School of Public Affairs, specializes in the intersection of gender and politics. She has spent more than 15 years analyzing women’s representation in local politics, with a particular focus on appointed boards and commissions. Her upcoming book further delves into these topics, emphasizing their impact on policymaking at the local level.
Both researchers share a deep commitment to understanding the barriers that prevent women from fully participating in political decision-making and were eager to collaborate with United WE to explore these challenges.
The Motivation Behind the Research
For Wolbrecht and Holman, this research is rooted in a fundamental democratic principle: representation. “At its core, those of us who are interested in gender and women in politics think a lot about representation–about whose views are heard and who has influence over the political system,” Wolbrecht explains.
Historically, women have been underrepresented in decision-making roles, despite their significant contributions to society. The research opportunity presented a unique chance to study these disparities and work towards change.
Holman was particularly excited about the chance to work with a mission-driven organization like United WE. “There was so much alignment across all of the different things they do with our interests,” she notes, citing United WE's broader efforts to address systemic barriers, such as the cost of childcare, that limit women's participation in governance.
Key Findings: The Gender Disparity on Local Boards
The research uncovered both progress and persistent disparities in women’s representation on local boards and commissions. On average, women make up about 40% of appointed board members–a figure that, while better than their representation in Congress, still falls short of parity.
The researchers also identified a critical disparity: the type of boards women are appointed to. “Women are much more likely to be appointed to boards dealing with education, parks and recreation, the arts, and public health,” Wolbrecht explains. “Meanwhile, they remain significantly underrepresented on boards that wield economic and political power, such as taxation, development, and urban planning.”
Additionally, the study found that representation varies widely across different cities. Some municipalities have made significant strides in appointing women to local boards, while others lag behind. Understanding these discrepancies is essential to formulating strategies for greater inclusivity.
The Road to Greater Representation
Holman emphasizes that achieving gender parity in appointed positions is about more than just increasing the number of women applying. “It’s both a supply and demand issue,” she explains. “Women apply for these positions at lower rates, particularly for high-power boards. But even when they do apply, they are still appointed at lower rates than men.”
This finding challenges the notion that women lack the qualifications for these roles. In fact, the research suggests that women who apply for appointments are often just as qualified–if not more so–than their male counterparts. The issue, then, lies in the selection process and the biases that may influence appointment decisions.
To address these gaps, United WE has implemented initiatives aimed at both increasing the number of women applying for these positions and reforming the appointment process itself. By providing training and outreach efforts, they aim to empower more women to seek these opportunities while encouraging governments to adopt more equitable selection practices.
The Impact of Research-Driven Advocacy
For Wolbrecht and Holman, working with United WE has been an enriching experience that bridges the gap between academic research and real-world impact. “We’re not just documenting disparities,” Wolbrecht says. “By partnering with an organization that is actively working to address these issues, our research has the potential to drive meaningful change.”
The implications of their work extend beyond local boards. By identifying the systemic factors that contribute to women’s underrepresentation, their research can inform broader discussions about gender parity in political and corporate leadership.
As Holman puts it, “The ultimate goal is to move closer to a full democracy – one where all voices are heard and represented. Local boards may not always be in the spotlight, but they have a profound impact on our communities. Ensuring that women have a seat at the table is not just a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of effective governance.”
Through their collaboration with United WE, these researchers are helping to illuminate the path toward a more inclusive and representative political system, proving that data-driven advocacy can be a powerful force for change.
Of the 5,125 local appointed board seats analyzed in the study, only 39% are occupied by women.
2024 Civic Engagement Research
The national “2024 Civic Engagement Research” study by United WE assessed women's representation on local appointed boards across 98 U.S. cities, analyzing 5,125 board seats. The findings reveal that only 39% of these seats are occupied by women, despite women comprising over half of the U.S. population. Notably, women are underrepresented on Planning and Zoning, Parks and Recreation, and Housing boards, while they hold more than 50% of seats only on Library boards.
In the survey, 57% of women entrepreneurs indicated that insufficient childcare adversely affects their business operations.
2024 National Study on Childcare Needs of Women Entrepreneurs
The “2024 National Study on Childcare Needs of Women Entrepreneurs” survey by United WE examined the childcare experiences of 750 women entrepreneurs with children under six. The study found that over half of these entrepreneurs reported inadequate childcare negatively impacting their businesses, with a significant need for flexible scheduling and care during non-traditional hours. Additionally, while many were satisfied with the quality of available childcare, they expressed concerns over its affordability.
The study found that only 31 states provided clear descriptions of the childcare licensing process.
2024 National Childcare Licensing Research
The “2024 National Childcare Licensing Research” study by United WE analyzed childcare licensing regulations across all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, highlighting significant variations in licensing fees, regulatory content, and inspection frequencies. The research found that while nearly half of the states did not charge licensing fees, others imposed fees exceeding $100, with Mississippi and the District of Columbia charging over $200. Additionally, the accessibility of licensing information varied, with only 31 states providing clear descriptions of the licensing process, and inspection frequencies ranging from once every few years to more than three times annually.
Oklahoma has over 3,000 licensed childcare facilities, yet in more than half of its counties, there are two children for every available slot.
2024 Oklahoma Childcare Licensing Research
The “2024 Oklahoma Childcare Licensing Research” study by United WE and Oklahoma State University examined childcare access in Oklahoma, revealing a significant shortage of licensed facilities, especially in rural areas. The research identified that over half of Oklahoma's counties have more than two children for every available childcare slot, indicating a pressing need for increased capacity. Additionally, the study highlighted that state licensing requirements and low wages create barriers for new providers and contribute to staff shortages.
The study found that Missouri lost nearly 11,000 licensed childcare slots between 2019 and 2023, exacerbating childcare shortages across the state.
2024 Missouri Childcare Licensing Research
The “2024 Missouri Childcare Licensing Research” study by United WE examined Missouri's childcare licensing process, identifying significant barriers for providers, including prohibitive start-up costs, complex regulations, and inconsistent local requirements. The research highlighted that these challenges disproportionately affect rural areas, exacerbating childcare shortages. Additionally, the study emphasized the need for improved communication and coordination between state and local agencies to streamline the licensing process.
The study found that in 2022, there were more than two children under age five for every licensed childcare slot in over half of Kansas counties.
The “2024 Kansas Childcare Licensing Research” study by United WE and the University of Kansas examined Kansas's childcare licensing process, identifying significant barriers for providers, including high start-up costs, complex regulations, and inconsistent local requirements. The research highlighted that these challenges disproportionately affect rural areas, exacerbating childcare shortages. Additionally, the study emphasized the need for improved communication and coordination between state and local agencies to streamline the licensing process.
