ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG CALLS ON LEADERS TO “RAISE YOUR VOICES” FOR WOMEN, DIVERSITY AT GIRLS WITH IMPACT CELEBRATION
The Women's History Month roundtable was hosted by State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford).
March 21, 2024
EMPLOYERS SAY RETENTION AND ‘READY FOR DAY 1” ARE TOP PRIORITIES FOR CONNECTICUT NEXT GENERATION TALENT
Hartford, CT – Calling for a “slice of the $12 Trillion women’s economic opportunity,” business and state leaders gathered at the capitol to focus on GenZ women and how to attract and retain them in the Nutmeg State.
“This work has to be intentional,” said Attorney General William Tong, the first Asian American elected to statewide office who pointed out that over one-half of senior leaders in his office are now women.
Tong said that attorney generals across the US are threatening to sue employers who continue their diversity & inclusion initiatives, but the other half is “pushing back.”
“So double down and invest,” he urged. “Gravity has taken over, and Girls With Impact is part of that.
Attorney General William Tong urges CT leaders to double down and invest on Gen Z women.
“Women are going to lead,” he continued. “People of color and immigrants are increasingly part of our workforce and our leadership in our public and private institutions," he added. So when you see people in your organization say, we need to slow this down or I’m concerned about what the board will say, please raise your voices. There’s no turning back. ”
The Women’s History Month celebration was hosted by Girls With Impact and state Representative Jillian Gilchrest (West Hartford).
Girls With Impact CEO Jennifer Openshaw, whose organization has prepared over 16,000 young women for the workforce in Connecticut and nationwide, shared an informal survey of the attendees.
Asked about their top priorities as it relates to early career women, the attendees ranked them as follows:
Retention (57%)
Maximizing GenZ’s potential in GenZ women in the workplace (54%)
Ensuring GenZ women are “ready for Day 1” with critical skills (41%)
Pointing to 90,000 unfilled jobs in the state, Rep. Gilchrest said “women are still a huge untapped market. But they have unique barriers that start young. That’s why Girls With Impact’s work is so important – they’re ensuring the next generation is ready for Day 1.”
Girls With Impact, a national nonprofit based in CT, operates the nation’s only live, online business program for young women, 14-24 as a supplemental program or in-school class. Guided by business instructors, students bring real ideas to life and, along the way, learn fundamentals of business – from business planning and critical thinking to technology, finances and public speaking. Many graduates have gone on to receive full rides to college.
The program is offered tuition-free to young women from low to moderate income families. To partner with GWI, visit www.girlswithimpact.org or contact McKenna Belury at programs@girlswithimpact.org.
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About Girls With Impact
Girls With Impact, a 501c3, is the nation’s leading business and leadership program for young women 14-24. Featured in the New York Times, the 10-week “mini-MBA” moves women from ideation to a business plan and venture pitch, driving improvements in confidence, leadership, college and career readiness, and professional skills for success. Visit www.girlswithimpact.org. Watch our sizzle reel.
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Contact:
Emily Adji
emily.adji@girlswithimpact.org
(203) 314-4011