The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute is set to present a half-day policy forum Aug. 26, 2016 in Midtown Atlanta, Women Working Ahead: An Economic Opportunity Agenda for Georgia Women. We are pleased to feature two engaging speakers with unique perspectives on the importance of women’s economic security, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Ms. Foundation CEO Teresa Younger.
As the first African-American woman mayor of a major southern city, Shirley Franklin brings a broad and distinct perspective to our discussion of Georgia women’s economic security. Franklin increased the minimum wage paid to city employees during her tenure, a move that benefited both working women and men. She also championed women- and minority-owned businesses through procurement policy.
Franklin now serves as executive board chair of Purpose Built Communities. Purpose Built is establishing mixed-income housing and complementary support services like quality child care for residents with low incomes in Atlanta’s East Lake community. Her organization is working to replicate the East Lake success story in communities across the nation.
Franklin frequently speaks on leadership, public policy and community engagement. Join us as she makes the case to increase women’s earnings and strengthen Georgia’s economy.
Younger has devoted her career to expanding economic opportunity for women. Under her direction, the Ms. Foundation just announced plans to invest in women’s economic security by analyzing women’s opportunities in southern states and investing in strategies to help those women make advancements. This work builds on the foundation’s focus on economic justice for women, including support of organizations advocating for more accessible and affordable quality child care.
The policy forum will mark the publication of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s economic opportunity agenda for women. The agenda consists of four viable achievable steps Georgia can take to boost women’s earnings: close Georgia’s coverage gap through Medicaid expansion, expand child care assistance, create a state Earned Income Tax Credit and raise Georgia’s minimum wage.
The full agenda is available on the event page.
You can expect a rich discussion that covers both the economic contributions and potential of women in Georgia. Seats are filling up quickly. Register now to guarantee yours.
