Female Voices

Pittsburgh City Paper reports on the relative lack of female representation in local and state government. “‘To help people think about why it is important for there to be more women in Pennsylvania elected to office,’ Heather Arnet, executive director of the Women and Girls Foundation wrote in an email, ‘I ask them to close their…

Differing Perspectives

A new PittsburghTODAY survey revealed that minority populations in the Pittsburgh region appear to be keenly aware of what is and isn’t being accomplished on the diversity front. The survey covered differences in opinion regarding racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. The Beaver County Times reports: “Heather Arnet, chief executive officer for the Women and Girl’s Foundation,…

Low-income single moms struggle to find help, escape judgment

Beaver County Times reports on some of the struggles facing low-income single mothers in the Pittsburgh region. “The Women and Girls Foundation is also trying to fill the gaps by cataloging services for single mothers. ‘The first step is basically trying to map out where all the services are,’ said Heather Arnet, the foundation’s chief…

Moms want spot at Heinz Field

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on a Steelers fan-lead drive for a facility for nursing mothers to be included at Heinz Field. “‘Would you want to have your next meal in a stadium restroom?’ said Tara Simmons, interim CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation of southwest Pennsylvania.” Read the rest of the article here.

South Hills-based sewing bee to make products for women in Zimbabwe

South Hills residents Kathy Surma and Linda Ambroso have partnered with a Nyadire Connection and a Women and Girls Foundation of Pittsburgh to host a sewing celebration in which reusable sanitary pads will be made for girls living in Zimbabwe. Read more here.

WGF's Heather Arnet named as one of 50 Most Powerful People in Pittsburgh

Heather Arnet, WGF’s current Chief Strategy Officer, was named one of the most powerful people in Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh Magazine. “Few organizations have such a clear and important mission as the Women and Girls Foundation, which is charged with advancing gender equality. Since Arnet took over the foundation in 2004 as its CEO, her leadership has…

YOUR ACTION TODAY CAN HELP OVERTURN THE HOBBY LOBBY RULING!

Many of you have asked us over the last week, what can be done to reestablish the rights the Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby ruling will strip away from hundreds of thousands of women. A group of Senators is working to expedite legislation that would override the Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby case and…

GirlGov 2014 in the News!

GirlGov continues to make a difference in Southwest Pennsylvania and Harrisburg! Check out this article featuring GirlGov 2014 participant, Madison McIntyre, and State Representative Dom Costa.

Human trafficking hotline notification bill passes PA Legislature

A bill requiring certain businesses to post signs highlighting a human trafficking hotline is on its way to the governor’s desk, according to an October 17 news story from Capitolwire in Harrisburg. House Bill 235 requires notification of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline be posted prominently in bars, strip clubs, massage parlors, state-run…

New Jobs Study Shows Women Lag Men In Job Recovery

Pennsylvania Labor Study Reveals Job Growth for Men Significantly Exceeded that of Women 2007-2011 Pittsburgh, PA – A new IWPR PA Job Growth Study commissioned by the Women and Girls Foundation and conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research examined household survey data from the Current Population Survey to reveal that between 2007 and…