All this week, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, a statewide philanthropic organization, is hosting a series of activities to mark its major annual fundraising event.
The Power of the Purse luncheons in Central and Northwest Arkansas honor women’s accomplishments and raise money for programs that are improving the lives of women and girls in the state. The final event is Friday in Little Rock.
The foundation is also expanding research efforts to better understand the economic impact of educating Arkansas women.
Kristy Carter is the executive director of Outreach and Community Engagement at the University of Central Arkansas. She’s part of a student team from UCA’sLeadership PhD program that’s conducting the women's education study. Carter says early research findings tell an important story.
“We have the literature that shows educating women actually helps ensure they are afforded the same opportunities as men and educated women tend to improve their quality of life and control resources better,” said Carter. “If we tell the stories of these women and give examples of who they are, how they live, where they live, and what the obstacles are that they face in Arkansas; then maybe we can create a better picture for the future.”
Carter says the research team needs over 1,000 women in the state, aged 18 and older, to complete a short online survey. Women who are interested in telling their personal experience of pursing an education are encouraged to participate.
Click here to take the survey.
