Women & Leadership in Omaha

Omaha women are an increasing source of talent, but few become leaders.

According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, Nebraska ranks third in the U.S. for percentage of women in the work force, but 49th for women in professional and managerial positions. The Women's Fund study shows the number of women holding leadership positions in Omaha has changed little in the last decade.

"Omaha's male-dominated corporate culture remains the top barrier for women seeking leadership positions," says Ellie Archer, executive director, Women's Fund of Greater Omaha. "Balancing work and family is increasingly more difficult and continues to be a major obstacle for advancement."

"Women are an important source of talent," says Archer. "There are long-term implications for young women, women currently in the work force and the Omaha business community as a whole if we fail to take action now."

The 2006 “Women and Leadership in Omaha” study objectives were to measure current female participation in leadership and compare the findings against a similar baseline study by the Women's Fund in 1996. Additionally, interviews were conducted with male and female leaders from corporate, healthcare, education and non-profit organizations. The goal for the study is to launch a community wide discussion resulting in initiatives that will increase the depth and breadth of female leadership in Omaha.

The Women's Fund is calling on Omaha business and civic leaders to develop and promote advancement opportunities for all women and girls. Improvements in work/life integration policies and networking and mentoring opportunities top the list of recommended culture changes necessary to help women flourish as leaders in our city.

The full report and list of recommendations and resources are available at the Omaha Women Work Web site. 

G.I.R.L. Report

The G.I.R.L. Report is the community’s first comprehensive assessment on the status of girls in the Omaha area and features research and recommendations on a wide range of issues, including economic security, education, family life, health, violence and homelessness.

Six community agencies - Camp Fire USA, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts - Great Plains Council, Voices for Children in Nebraska, Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha and YWCA - collaborated on the production of the G.I.R.L. Report. Researchers convened a series of 12 focus groups comprised of girls ages 12-18, conducted interviews and gathered local, state and national data to create the report.

Based on the findings of their research, the six partner agencies developed a number of recommendations, including:

Girls should be free to explore and learn without comparing themselves to, deferring to, or competing with males.

There is a need to proactively support campaigns and programs that help girls develop positive self images and behaviors and diffuse the negative impact of media messages.

There is a significant need to increase availability, accessibility and affordability of mental health services - ranging from assessment through all types of treatment -- for girls in Nebraska.

A critical need exists for mental health data to accurately document health needs and availability of accessible, affordable mental health services for girls.

All metro schools must participate in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) in order to accurately identify female adolescent behaviors, guide community programming and measure progress resulting from prevention and intervention programming.

Public education and community programs are needed to encourage girls and young women to make the connection between health, well-being, physical fitness and body image.

Download the complete G.I.R.L. Report.

PUBLISHED REPORTS

"Women & Leadership in Omaha" – This is a follow-up to the 1996 study that established a local benchmark for female corporate, political and community leadership. It offers a statistical update of that baseline research and adds a new dimension: interviews with 83 of Omaha's top leaders in corporate, education, healthcare and not-for-profit organizations – 2006.

Girls in Real Life (G.I.R.L.) Report -- The community's first comprehensive assessment on the status of girls in the Omaha area was produced by six community agencies - Camp Fire USA, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts - Great Plains Council, Voices for Children in Nebraska, Women's Fund of Greater Omaha and YWCA – 2006.

How Women Are Doing in Omaha? – In 1990, the Women's Fund released a comprehensive report on how women in Omaha were doing. This report is an update, comparing the 1990 data with 2000 census information.

What Women Want at Work – A study of what employers can do to help the women of Omaha be more productive at work. – 2002.

What Women Want – Groundbreaking study of Omaha women's views on family, work, society and the future. – 2001

Women and Leadership – Community and employment leadership of Omaha women (an update of the 1996 report) – 2000

There's No Excuse for Domestic Violence – Public opinion survey on domestic violence – 1998

Women and Leadership – Community and employment leadership of Omaha women – 1996

Out Of The Shadows – A Handbook on Domestic Violence presented by The Women's Fund Task Force on Domestic Violence – 1996

Can We Stop the Violence in Omaha? – A Status Report, second in a series of reports on The Condition of Women and Girls in Omaha – 1995

How Are Women Doing in Omaha? – A Status Report on the Economic Condition of Women – 1994

* Some reports are available in a .PDF format. Acrobat Reader, which is required to download/view these reports, is available to download free from the Adobe Web site.