Introducing Strong Women. Better Texas.
Texas Women’s Foundation is bringing together voices from across the state—and beyond—to spark insightful conversations about building a better Texas. From researchers and nonprofit leaders to public affairs experts, advocates, and corporate executives. The Strong Women. Better Texas. podcast is dedicated to empowering the 14.7M women and girls who call Texas home.
Each episode in our first series, The State of Women in Texas Series, dives into critical topics highlighted in the 2024 Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report. We’ll explore the challenges women face and, more importantly, the actions we can take to drive meaningful change.
Tune in, get inspired, and become part of the movemement to create a better Texas for all. #STRONGWOMENBETTERTEXAS
Ruby Anniversary Podcast Series
Texas Women’s Foundation is proudly celebrating four decades of impact. To honor this milestone, we’ve launched the Ruby Anniversary Podcast Series, featuring six conversations with our Founders as they reflect on the stories, challenges, and inspirations that shaped the Foundation’s beginning in 1985. Each Founder joins a Ruby Anniversary Co-chair for a meaningful dialogue that brings our history to life. We invite you to watch and learn more about how it all began.
These podcast episodes are part of our “Forty Stories” collection—powerful narratives that highlight the passion, purpose, and perseverance that have defined our first 40 years. We’ll be sharing these stories throughout the year, and we encourage you to explore and engage with them below.
Foundation Founder Frances Griffin-Brown sits down for a conversation with Foundation Past Board Chair and Ruby Anniversary Co-chair Shonn Brown
Foundation Founder Honorable Harryette Ehrhardt sits down for a conversation with Ruby Anniversary Co-chair Helen Frank
Foundation Founder Dr. Catalina Garcia sits down for a conversation with Foundation Board Chair Cris Zertuche Wong
Foundation Founder Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison sits down for a conversation with Ruby Anniversary Co-chair Laura Estrada
Foundation Founder Helen LaKelly Hunt sits down for a conversation with Ruby Anniversary Co-chair Brenda Jackson
Foundation Founder Becky Russell Sykes joins us for a virtual conversation with Ruby Anniversary Co-chair Gail Griswold
THE STATE OF WOMEN IN TEXAS
This four-part series, made possible by the generous support of longtime Texas Women’s Foundation champion Dodee Frost Crockett, takes a deep dive into the findings of the 2024 Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report. Each episode features expert insights and real stories from women across Texas, highlighting the challenges, lived experiences, and solutions that can drive meaningful change.
Through candid conversations with subject matter experts, we’ll explore key economic issues and the steps we can take to build #StrongWomenBetterTexas.
Karen Hughes White
Texas Women’s Foundation President & CEO
White has spent the last 25 years leading non-profit organizations dedicated to improving (and saving!) the lives of women and children. She began her nonprofit career with Susan G. Komen, before joining ALSAC/St. Jude and then Tri Delta Women’s Fraternity where she served as the organization’s CEO for 10 years. When she’s not advocating for Texas women and girls, Karen enjoys spending time with her three adult children, practicing Pilates, playing pickleball, and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs.
EPISODE 1 | The Research and Methodology
The first episode in the series, The Research and Methodology, features Cody Reyes-Garza, Director of Research at Every Texan. In this episode, we break down the findings of the 2024 Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report, exploring the challenges women and families face that impact their economic security and stability and ultimately our state’s economy.
Join us as we take a deep dive into the research approach, methodology, and key insights that reveal the realities shaping economic opportunities for Texas women and families.
Coda Rayo-Garza serves as Every Texan’s Director of Research and Data. She is a fronteriza born and raised in Laredo, Texas. Coda has worked in the nonprofit and government sectors in various roles and is also a former Lecturer of Political Science. A first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrants, Coda earned her M.A. in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a B.A. in Philosophy from Texas State University. She is also a current PhD candidate in Applied Demography at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her areas of expertise include racial, ethnic, gender, and poverty disparities, especially along border areas.
EPISODE 2 | The Child Care Crisis
On the Child Care Crisis episode, we talk about how affordable, high-quality child care is essential for Texas families to thrive. Yet, more than 50% of Texas families live in child care deserts, resulting in an $11.4 billion child care crisis marked by both limited access and rising costs. Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Kelsey Erickson Streufert, Chief Policy Advisor for Employers for Child Care and the Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Texas Restaurant Association.
Kelsey Erickson Streufert, the Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Texas Restaurant Association. A licensed attorney and seasoned Texas Capitol professional, Kelsey joined TRA during the COVID-19 pandemic. She led efforts to safely reopen restaurant dining rooms, secured the regulatory waiver for cocktails to-go, and collaborated with Texas’ federal delegation to pass the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, providing a crucial lifeline for businesses nationwide. Under her leadership, TRA achieved unprecedented success during a Texas legislative session, with six of the association’s eight priority bills passed and all opposing legislation successfully blocked.
EPISODE 3 | The Wage Gap
On the Wage Gap episode, we talk about how the wage gap fuels economic insecurity for women, ultimately impacting our workforce and economy. Joining us for this powerful conversation is Gloria Blackwell, CEO of AAUW, one of the largest funders of graduate women’s education worldwide. With a career dedicated to advancing equal pay, Gloria has worked with public officials nationwide and developed programs that equip women with salary negotiation skills.
Gloria Blackwell is the Chief Executive Officer for American Association of University Women, better known as AAUW. In addition to her role as CEO, Gloria is also AAUW’s main representative to the United Nations. Gloria has also been the driving force behind AAUW’s signature programs, including its salary negotiation trainings, which have reached nearly 190,000 nationwide. She has worked on pay equity initiatives with public officials in Washington D.C., New York City, Boston and Pittsburgh, as well as with numerous other state and municipal partners.
EPISODE 4 | Health Care
On the Health Care episode, we are going to discuss the issue of affordable and accessible health care in our state, and how this is affecting women and families, and even the state’s workforce. We are joined with Kristen Lenau, Women’s Health Policy Directo for Healthy Futures of Texas, to talk about advocacy initiatives taking place, and how we can work to create change.
Kristen Lenau is the Women’s Health Policy Director for Healthy Futures of Texas. Kristen is a policy leader with 15 years of experience working with and on behalf of populations impacted by poverty and violence. She holds a master’s in public health and has been doing criminal justice and public health policy work in Texas since 2016. As Policy Director for the Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition, she supports the health needs of low-income women at the Texas Legislature and in state policy and regulatory work.
Download 2024 Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report
Research
Texas Women’s Foundation’s 2024 Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report examines the pivotal role women play in driving growth and innovation in the state’s estimated $2.4 trillion economy. It also illuminates the critical need to invest in the barriers that prevent Texas women and families from achieving economic security, stability, and success.
We invite you to download, read and share the research. It will take all of us – working together – to drive the meaningful, systemic change needed for all Texas women and families to thrive.
Powered by:
