Women2Women tour: Conversation in Kansas City will ripple back to lawmakers in DC

Editor’s note: This content was sponsored by Women2Women Conversation Tours but independently produced by Startland News.

From the dining room table to the halls of Congress, conversations about issues important to women need to be at the forefront of the national agenda, said Sarah Chamberlain, founder of the Women2Women Conversation Tours and CEO of Republican Main Street Partnership.

Sarah Chamberlain, Women2Women Conversation Tours

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffrage movement, the nonpartisan Women2Women tour is making a stop in Kansas City Sept. 26 to bring the women of the city into the loop, she said. The Women2Women Conversations Tour is a non-profit organization that engages women to influence policy making.

Click here to learn more about the Women2Women event series.

“Through this event we’re hoping to hear from women firsthand about what their needs are and more importantly what Washington DC can do to address these needs legislatively,” Chamberlain said, about the countrywide tour. 

Among the main concerns gathered from women so far: affordable healthcare, access to capital for women to start their business and equal pay for women, she said, noting the tour has a multi-faceted approach. 

“First, we want to educate women on the issues of the day like what laws are being passed and how they can affect their lives,” Chamberlain said. “Then, we focus group participants and bring information back to D.C. and introduce and pass legislation that directly affects the lives of these women.” 

A panel discussion is expected to feature Kansas City experts who have dealt with such issues directly, she said. Among them: Kelly Sievers, managing director of the Women’s Capital Connection; Adrienne B. Haynes, founder and managing partner at SEED Law, LLC;  Wendy Doyle, president and CEO of The Women’s Foundation; and Dr. Susan B. Wilson, vice chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

“Oftentimes women have the hardest time getting the money to start their businesses,” Chamberlain said. “That’s why our panel consists of an angel investor, and a woman who gives seed money to help pay legal expenses to set up your company.”