New Research Report on Women and Girls Calls for Increasing Equity
Bipartisan Women’s Caucus Hosts Legislative Briefing about Key Findings, Policy Needs
April 3, 2025 | Hartford – The Bipartisan Women’s Caucus hosted a legislative briefing on April 1 about a brand-new research report, Toward Equity: Investing in Women and Girls for Connecticut’s Future, which outlines the strategies and policies needed to accelerate the pace of change toward gender and racial equity in the state.
“The goal of equity means that women realize their full potential, but they are not the only beneficiaries,” said Dr. Jennifer Steadman, Executive Director of the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation and the lead author of the report. “When women contribute, Connecticut’s economy benefits, families thrive, and communities are stronger.”
Published collaboratively by three Connecticut women’s funds -- the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Community Fund for Women and Girls, and the Fund for Women and Girls of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation – and the research firm Demographic Perspectives, LLC, the report looks back at the incremental progress women and girls have made over the past 25 years and concludes that more must be done.
Toward Equity focuses on five specific areas -- poverty, education, economic opportunity and labor force participation, childcare and caregiving, and safety -- where increased equity can make a difference in the lives of women, girls, their families, and their communities.
“In a national moment of increasing skepticism about the need for programs focused on equity, and hostility to the advancement of women and women of color, Connecticut should increase its innovation and implementation of equitable policies for the betterment of all its citizens,” the report says.
“The report is a reminder to us as policy makers that while women have made gains, the lack of equity remains, especially for non-white women,” said Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-17). “I am grateful Aurora continues to push us toward a more equitable future for women in Connecticut.”
“Philanthropy should follow the lead of its women’s funds to invest in targeted funding for programs serving diverse women and girls,” according to the report.
Connecticut’s own history of innovative, gender-equity-focused policymaking can chart the path forward.
“Past legislation that has focused on increasing economic participation and alleviating poverty can serve as a model and starting point,” the report says. “Policies and strategies that build equitable access to opportunity can address the continuing economic, educational and leadership barriers for women, and particularly women of color, in Connecticut.”
Dr. Steadman led a discussion with six panelists about the report’s key findings; the panelists were:
Shamya Douglas, a participant in the Aurora-funded YW Career Women program and a member of the Class of ’25 at CT State-Manchester
Tracey Madden-Hennessey, CEO, YWCA New Britain
Lutonya Russell-Humes, VP, Grants & Programs, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Meghan Scanlon, President and CEO, CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV)
Kara Straun, Director of Program and Evaluation, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Janée Woods Weber, Executive Director, She Leads Justice
“The briefing was about women empowering women with the continued goal of moving forward in a positive, thoughtful way,” said Rep. Kathy Kennedy (R-119).
The Aurora Foundation was founded in 2000 by five women who were passionate about gender-focused philanthropy and increasing educational and employment opportunities for women and girls in Greater Hartford. In 2024, Aurora quintupled the funds it invested in the community and has provided support to more than 10,000 women and girls since its inception.
Aurora is grateful to the following Community Partners who have already committed operating support for 2025: Ares Management; Barnes Group; Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO); Family First Life; Liberty Bank; NBT Bank; Jennifer W. Pennoyer, MD; Robinson + Cole; Ruel Ruel Burns Feldman & Britt; Tokio Marine HCC; UConn Health Disparities; The Village for Families and Children; Wealthspire; Whittlesey; and the Hartford Yard Goats Foundation.
PHOTO CREDIT: Leonard Underwood, Underwood Photography