In the movie “The Croods”, Gran, the matriarch of the Stone Age family, croons these words gleefully as she emerges from the family cave for another day in her constant struggle to survive.
Lately, this mantra runs through my brain every morning when I wake up. It feels a little sad, joyful, scary, and funny (but not funny) all at the same time. That's what it feels like as we navigate this strange COVID-19 world with a host of emotions hitting us at every turn. We are trying to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe, while working to support our families and figure out what to do with our kids this fall as it becomes clear that school as we know it may no longer be a thing.
It’s a struggle, but it helps to keep a sense of humor.
It is also clear that the reason Gran survived in “The Croods” is that she had people who cared helping her along the way.
There are days we feel alone, and now, more than ever, we need each other to thrive
. In Montana, we pride ourselves on taking care of our neighbors. Now we are figuring out how to do that while wearing masks and social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.
Today I’m feeling grateful to say, “Still Alive!”, and that we have each other on this journey on the long road to equity.
Happy to pull you up today and hoping you will do the same for me tomorrow.
Onward,
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P.S.
However you are coping, I’d love to hear about it! Join me for a virtual
Coffee Talk
next Tuesday, July 28 at 10 a.m. to share and learn with others about how we can support each other during this time.
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Montana Women Work - A Historical Look at Women in Nontraditional Work
Montana women have always been bold, tough, and, of course, bad-ass.
World War II represented a turning point for women’s employment in the United States. While women, especially unmarried women, had increasingly taken jobs outside the home since the turn of the century, most worked in service and clerical positions. In the early 1940s, however, wartime production combined with labor shortages to open new opportunities for women in high-paying industrial jobs.
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Is Nontraditional For You?
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The U.S. Department of Labor defines a non-traditional career for women as one in which 25% or less of those employed in the field are women. There are still over 100 occupations that fall into this category from architecture and construction, to firefighting and computer programming.
The lack of women in these careers matters because nontraditional careers for women often start at higher wages and pay 20-30% more over time. In addition, many are careers that offer the opportunity for more benefits and unionized labor. That means more equity in pay and opportunity. Finally, many nontraditional careers for women do not require as much of an investment in education and training, meaning less student loan debt in the long run.
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PowerHouse Montana Meetings and Gatherings
Our PowerHouse Meet-ups have all been transitioned to online gatherings for the near future. Check out our calendar
here
for the full line-up!
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Wednesday, July 22th @ 12:00 PM
Power Hour: Free Business Coaching Session
For current and aspiring business owners to ask questions about how to start, retool, and strategize a business during this unprecedented time. Whether you have questions about business or personal finances, about how to reach new customers in the is market, or how to bring your business into a digital era, we are here to help!
Register for the event
here
, or find out more on
Facebook
.
Presented by Morgan Slemberger of Pursue Your Passions Women's Entrepreneur Program at UM and Jenn Stephens of the Missoula Small Business Development Center.
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Thursday, July 23th @ 4:00 PM, Kalispell Laker's Ballpark
Power Hour: From Disgust to Trust
It's no secret that trust is in freefall and that people feel overwhelmed and disgusted. Trust in government, trust in media, and even trust in one another is broken. You don't have to scroll on social media for long to see that name-calling is the language of posting for far too many people. When we work in the arena of distrust, productivity suffers, the bottom line suffers, and people suffer. So how do we transform distrust into trust? By changing behavior.
Note: This will be an in-person event; social distancing and masks are STRONGLY recommended. For more information, click
here
.
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Tuesday, July 28th @ 10:00 AM
Power Hour: Coffee Chat with Jen Euell
How are you adapting and reaching out to others during the pandemic? Are you making a point to buy local? Reaching out to friends, neighbors, and family? Donating to nonprofits you care about? Or are you just getting by and needing the support of others to manage?
However you are coping, I’d love to hear about it! Join Jen for a virtual Coffee Talk next Tuesday, July 28 at 10 a.m. to share and learn with others about how we can support each other during this time.
As always, the event is free, but registration is required. Register for the event
here
, or find out more on
Facebook
.
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Have an event to submit to WFM?
Email Erika at Erika@mtcf.org
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In Case You Missed It!
Take a look at our previous webinars, available on
YouTube
and our
website
.
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Achieving Equity for Women in STEM
"Despite some major advances and movements in recent years to improve equity in the workplace, women who work full time year-round are paid just 79 cents to every dollar earned by men in the same roles. Why is that? Why are women still hitting glass ceilings, and glass cliffs, and even some brick walls?"
Explore more here
My ____ Was a Suffragist
"One hundred years after the 19th Amendment, suffragists’ descendants consider how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go."
Full Article
9 Financial Resources for Women and Minority Business Owners Affected by the Coronavirus
"According to some experts,
up to 90%
of minority and women small business owners are predicted to be denied a PPP loan because financial institutions are favoring pre-existing customers when distributing the funds, therefore ignoring many minority and women entrepreneurs who may not have a bank loan."
Find out more
In the Covid-19 Economy, You Can Have a Kid or a Job. You Can't Have Both.
"Our struggle is not an emotional concern. We are not burned out. We are being crushed by an economy that has bafflingly declared working parents inessential."
Continue reading
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Leadership Opportunity Roundup
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At WFM, we are focused on increasing the number of women serving in leadership positions, including statewide boards and commissions. Consider applying for one of these leadership opportunities!
Featured Opportunity:
State of Montana Board, Council and Commission Openings, from the Office of the Governor
Location:
Statewide
___________________________
Future Fisheries Review Panel
Position:
Expertise in Irrigated Agriculture
Commitment:
Low, meets twice a year
Compensation:
Travel Only
Take Away:
Be an active part of reviewing fisheries and new fisheries for the state Montana. Travel (when able) to fisheries around the state, and get to know our fishery experts at
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
___________________________
Board of Massage Therapy
Description:
Board is charged with licensing and regulating persons and businesses engaged in massage therapy professions and occupations.
Position:
Massage therapist with 3 years of experience, who does not own a school of massage therapy.
Commitment:
Normally moderate (been meeting more often due to COVID concerns)
Compensation:
$50/day and Travel
Take Away:
Be an active part of your industry maintaining professionalism, rules, and educational requirements of licensees.
___________________________
State Rehabilitation Council
Position:
Private Business, Industry or Labor Representatives (Multiple positions)
Commitment:
Usually meets for 2 days once or twice a year.
Compensation:
$50/day plus travel
Take Away:
Be a part of the team that helps connect disabled workers to jobs in their community helping the individuals, the employers and the community as a whole.
___________________________
Board of Veterinary Medicine
Description:
Board is charged with licensing and regulating persons and businesses engaged in veterinary medicine professions and occupations.
Position:
(1) Veterinarian; (1) Public member who consumes services but not licensed by any occupational board.
Commitment:
Normally low, around twice a year
Compensation:
$50/day and Travel
Take Away:
Be an active part of your industry maintaining professionalism, rules, and educational requirements of licensees.
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Employment Opportunity: Montana Community Foundation
About:
The Montana Community Foundation offers a friendly, dynamic and rewarding
workplace. We hire the best people around to create an environment that is fun,
challenging and leads to professional and personal growth. If you're looking to join a
team dedicated to Montana's future and growing philanthropy in our great state,
you've found it! MCF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Available Opportunities:
Communications Associate, Philanthropy Officer
Commitment:
Full-Time
Application Review Begins:
July 28, 2020
Do you have other Job Opportunities you'd like to share? Email erika@mtcf.org to have it added to our job board.
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Funding Opportunity: Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Grants from the U.S. Department of Labor
The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant helps to expand pathways for women to enter and lead in all industries by recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining more women in quality pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
For information about the 2020 program priorities and evaluation factors, and to learn how to apply, read the
2020 Funding Opportunity Announcement
,
the
press release
,
and the
FAQs
. The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is August 3, 2020. Applications must be received no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Funding Opportunity: Rural Tech Project from the U.S. Department of Education
The Rural Tech Project is a $600,000 challenge to advance rural technology education and prepare students for the careers of today and tomorrow.
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Montana Coronavirus Relief is Still Available
There are still COVID Relief Grant funds available for many businesses and for nonprofits from the Montana Coronavirus Relief Fund. In addition, funds are available for some individual needs such as emergency housing and more. Learn more at:
https://commerce.mt.gov/
In addition, businesses and organizations can still apply for loan funds through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Learn more
here
.
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Statewide COVID-19 Resources for Montanans
We understand that the impacts of COVID-19 are being felt throughout the state, and that the economic impacts of closures are going to be significant - especially for our rural communities. We are here for you.
During this time, in addition to the creation of the
Montana Community Foundation COVID-19 Resiliency Fund
- we have partnered with a statewide Resiliency Task Force, including the Governor's Office, and MSU Extension, to provide the most current and descriptive resources available to all Montanans.
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Together we can empower Montana women and girls to pursue their dreams.
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