Share
View as webpage, click here.
Business Record Lift IOWA Weekly | August 26, 2019
Survey: Black Women’s Equal Pay Day research reinforces the pay gap is much worse for black women
By Megan VerHelst | Lift IOWA Contributing Editor

In recognition of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day on Aug. 22, LeanIn.org released the findings of a new survey that show the pay gap is just the tip of the iceberg for women of color. While many people don’t realize the severity of the gap, LeanIn.org co-founder and CEO Rachel Thomas said it’s certainly felt by black women and their families.

The significance of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day is that black women would need to work through 2018 until Aug. 22, 2019, to make what white men made in 2018 alone. The survey findings surmise that regardless of their occupation, level of education or years of experience, black women are still paid less than white men.

Here are some relevant findings from the survey:

  • On average, black women in the U.S. are paid 39% less than white men and 21% less than white women.

  • One in three Americans is not aware of the pay gap that exists between black women and white men, while 53% did not know a gap existed between black women and white women. The biggest pay gap exists in the legal profession, where black women make 56% less than white men.

  • Black women are doing their part. According to the survey, black women ask for raises and promotions just as often as white women, but they get worse results.

  • The pay gap actually widens for women with advanced education. The biggest gaps occur among black women and white men with bachelor’s and advanced degrees.

  • The pay gap for black women starts at age 16 and widens as they grow older.

The conclusion? Lower earnings for black women means less money for their families, especially since more than 80% of black mothers are the main breadwinners for their households. This affects their ability to buy groceries, pay for child care, invest in their children’s education and more.

LeanIn.org suggests four things companies can do to eliminate the gender pay gap, including conduct a pay audit, ensure that hiring and promotions are fair, make sure women have opportunities for advancement, and make it normal for women to negotiate. The organization also offers negotiation tips for women.

 
Guest opinion: The power of self-efficacy
By Harwant Khush | Research consultant, Tero International Inc.

"If you think you can, you probably can. If you think you can’t — well, that self-limiting and self-fulfilling belief might well stop you doing something you’re perfectly capable of doing." -Albert Bandura

The power of believing in one’s abilities when facing a challenging situation is when we say, "I think I can do it" or "Let me try; I can handle it." It is the grit and self-assurance to cope with problematic or unpredictable conditions.

Psychologists call this phenomenon "self-efficacy." Self-efficacy, or believing in oneself, is the prime predictor that makes people winners or losers in any given situation.

What makes some people face daunting situations with great courage, while others give up?

History has ample examples of how some people with strong self-efficacy became successful despite all odds against them. To mention a few, Walt Disney, the internationally successful businessman, was fired from his job at the age of 22 from a Missouri newspaper for "not being creative enough." Oprah Winfrey’s first boss told her she was too emotional and not right for television, and later on, her show became one of the highest-rated shows in American history. Former President Barack Obama mobilized his electoral base with the slogan "Yes, we can" and became the first black president of the USA. What did all these people or other such successful individuals have in common? The significant factor to their success was their persistence, sustained effort and profound belief in themselves.

Theoretical foundations of self-efficacy

Dr. Albert Bandura of Stanford University conceptualized and published the self-efficacy theory in 1977 under the title "Self-Efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change." This theory became the most significant contribution to the science of psychology in the 20th century.

According to Bandura, self-efficacy is
"people’s beliefs about their capabilities to produce designated levels of performance that exercise influence over events that affect their lives. Self-efficacy beliefs determine how people feel, think, motivate themselves and behave."

Efficacy may be general or specific. General efficacy is when a person embodies a profound belief in one’s overall abilities to succeed. Specific efficacy is related to mastery and competency in particular skills, e.g., ability to succeed in academics, public speaking or sports. Self-efficacy is frequently confused with other self-concepts such as self-confidence, self-esteem and self-realization. Despite certain common fundamentals, there are also vital differences in these concepts.

Self-efficacy vs. self-confidence

According to Bandura, "Confidence is a common term that refers to the strength of belief but does not necessarily specify what the certainty is about. ... Perceived self-efficacy refers to belief in one’s agentive capabilities that one can produce a given level of attainment."

Self-confidence assures the accomplishment of a challenging task, but may not provide certainty of the desired outcome while self-efficacy represents an unwavering belief in oneself in delivering results. Nevertheless, these are closely linked concepts; the more confident a person is, the higher is the probability of succeeding.


Go to BusinessRecord.com to read Khush's strategies to enhance self-efficacy.
IN THE BUSINESS RECORD
A Closer Look: Christina Murphy

Christina Murphy grew up in the Missouri River town of St. Charles, Mo. With the Mississippi River also nearby, Murphy’s family spent countless weekends and holidays on the water, boating, swimming and fishing.

"My love of water started very young," said Murphy, who in April was named general manager of West Des Moines Water Works. "Water has always been a part of me; I think it will be forever."

Read more

After a home baker experiences violent assault, Crème Cupcake opens doors to tightknit community
By Kate Hayden | Staff writer, Des Moines Business Record

Hours after learning that a home bakery owner was sexually assaulted at gunpoint in her home during a supposed order handoff, Crème Cupcake owner Christina Moffatt decided her business could step in for other home bakers in the Des Moines area.

"My stomach just dropped" when she heard the news, Moffatt said.

Crème’s Facebook page announced Aug. 15 that any home baker is welcome to hand off orders to their own clients at Crème during operating hours (Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.). Crème Cupcake has also posted links on its Facebook page for those interested in donating to financially support the home baker, who is not taking new bakery orders at this time.

Moffatt and many other bakery owners and staff members began business out of their own home kitchens, Moffatt said, and the attack on the Burlington baker felt like "somebody invaded the privacy of our industry."

"We decided that we would welcome any baker as a safe space" for handoffs, she said. "We have the longest hours of anybody because of our dessert lounge. Even if [bakers] decide not to hand off in their home, a parking lot is still risky. … Any business that can welcome [bakers] is a much safer route."

The attack reminded her of the assaults last year against Molly Tibbetts and Celia Barquin Arozamena and recent assaults against real estate agents staffing open houses, Moffatt said.

"It’s unfortunate we have to take this precaution, but nobody should be meeting out of their home," she said.

Burlington police say 37-year-old Steven Andrew Mauck arrived at the baker’s home pretending to be a customer. Mauck is charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony.

BRIEF LIFTS

Thompson named CEO of Clive Behavioral Health
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center has named Mary Sparks Thompson chief executive officer of its Clive Behavioral Health facility, effective Sept. 3. Thompson has more than three decades of behavioral health leadership experience. She joined MercyOne Des Moines in 2016 as the Behavioral Services market director. In that position, Thompson oversaw all behavioral health services including adult and child/adolescent inpatient units, child/adolescent outpatient program, outpatient clinics and the outpatient substance abuse program. As CEO of Clive Behavioral Health, she will be responsible for developing comprehensive behavioral health services, developing collaborative relationships with local government and community stakeholders and managing day-to-day operations.

Maggard named executive director of Ingersoll, Grand avenues group
Kris Maggard was recently named executive director of the nonprofit Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand, which represents a collaboration of business and property owners, professionals, merchants, residents and others in promoting the area between Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and 43rd Street. It also oversees the area’s self-supported municipal improvement district. The area has seen $50 million in new investment in the past three years. Maggard previously worked at Business Publications Corp., where she led dsm Magazine and its custom publishing division. She was president of the Des Moines Downtown Chamber in 2015. The Avenues office is located at 558 28th St.

Dress for Success fundraiser to feature HGTV star
Dress for Success Des Moines, a nonprofit that serves women entering the workforce, recently announced that Jennifer Bertrand, artist and host of HGTV’s "Design Star," will be the keynote speaker for the 2019 Success Luncheon Sept. 26. The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. The fundraising event is at 11:30 a.m. at Des Moines Marriott Downtown. Tickets can be purchased by visiting desmoines.dressforsuccess.org or the Dress for Success Facebook page.

SBA to host Small Business Lender Match event Sept. 17
Corridor Business Journal: The U.S. Small Business Administration will host an SBA Small Business Lender Match event from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, 4500 N. 10th St., Marion. Entrepreneurs seeking financing to start their own small business or expand an existing small business will have the opportunity to meet representatives from SBA participating lenders during this event, which will follow a "speed coaching" format. Attendees will be scheduled for three 15-minute one-on-one meetings where they can pitch their financing needs and learn more about how the small business financing process works.  Attendees are encouraged to come with an elevator speech, a business plan and business financial information if available. The event is free, but space and appointments will be limited to the first 30 registrants. The deadline for registration is Sept. 9. Registration is available online.

Registration open for CBJ 2019 Manufacturing Conference
The Corridor Business Journal has announced event details and registration deadlines for its 2019 Manufacturing Conference, to be held Oct. 4 at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. The event offers industry leaders an opportunity to network, learn about best practices in the region, and build a stronger talent pipeline. Keynote speakers include Steve Flann, Vermeer Corp. senior director of environmental health, safety and security, and Stan Askren, retired CEO of HNI Corp. Breakouts will be led with other industry leaders including Mary Bontrager of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and Beth Townsend of Iowa Workforce Development. Tickets are $70 through Labor Day, and $95 after. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The reservation deadline is Sept. 27. For more information and to register, click here.

Community Leadership Program names class
The Community Leadership Program has announced the 50 members of its most recent class. Class members were nominated and selected after a comprehensive, competitive process. They represent private, public and nonprofit organizations. Class members will work through a nine-month curriculum intended to heighten their awareness of current conditions and challenges while enhancing their leadership skills.
NEWLY ANNOUNCED EVENTS

Sept. 13: LEAP #7 - LEAPing Large: Community & Career
Host: Downtown Des Moines Chamber
About: The seventh event of the 2019 Leadership and Education Advancement Pipeline will focus on community and career, and will feature roundtables led by past LEAP speakers. The cost to attend is $35 for chamber members and $50 for nonmembers.
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel
Learn more

Oct. 9-10: 2019 Women Lead Change Central Iowa Conference
Host: Women Lead Change
About: Join Women Lead Change for the 2019 Central Iowa Conference, a two-day event filled with inspiring and intellectual speakers, hands-on breakout sessions and more. Don't miss Monica Lewinsky, Ginger Zee, Gretchen Rubin, Jay Pryor, Simon T. Bailey and Marissa Orr.
When: Various times
Where: The Meadows Events & Conference Center at Prairie Meadows
Learn more


View our full calendar to see the latest curated business and community events, or suggest an event.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

IOWA

Rookie’s Custom Apparel in Osage has a new name and a new co-owner, who is launching her own clothing line. The silk-screen printing operation at 729 Main St. is now called Freedom Custom Apparel, and Reniah Mobley signed on as the co-owner of the business earlier this year. Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

Kit Kirby found a way for her two passions, farming and cooking, to come together when Morning Glory Farms owner Donna Warhover asked her to help the farm start its own food truck. Cedar Rapids Gazette

Sarah Hedlund is Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.’s marketing director — that’s her title — but her most important job is really much cooler. Des Moines Register

Rita Sealock, a longtime community and education activist in Council Bluffs, died Thursday at Risen Son Christian Village. She was 85. Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil

NATIONAL

Minnesotan Maddy Freking is a 12-year-old who is the only girl among the field of 16 teams playing in the 2019 Little League World Series since Mo’ne Davis made headlines in 2014. Freking is only the 19th girl to play in the Series in its 72-year history. Washington Post

Two television ads, one featuring new dads bungling comically while looking after their babies and the other a woman sitting next to a pram, have become the first to be banned under new UK rules designed to reduce gender stereotyping. Guardian

A former Uber software engineer is suing the company, saying it fired her after she reported sexual harassment and discrimination. Mercury News
SPEAK UP
The #MeToo election isn't happening

If you've been watching the 2020 Democratic debates so far — which have featured a record number of women running in a primary — it's easy to forget that #MeToo ever happened, writes Alexi McCammond for Axios. The 2018 midterms were a sign of the political power women harnessed after #MeToo. Women helped the Democratic Party take back the House in 2018 by running in red and purple districts and showing up in droves as voters. However, on the road to the 2020 presidential election, women’s issues are taking a backseat to others.

Read more

How to become a more self-aware leader

Greg Dardis is tuning in to the Democratic presidential debates with great interest — not necessarily because of what they have to say on issues, but rather to see if they have the core skills that make business professionals excel in presentations and politicians shine in a debate. These include a host of verbal and nonverbal qualities from word choice and volume to eye contact, pacing, facial expressions and attire, he writes for the Corridor Business Journal. All of these traits combine to create leadership presence, but in order to become a more effective leader, you must understand your strengths and weaknesses. You must be aware of what motivates you and your decision-making.

Read more

ON THE RISE
Tammy DeHaai (pictured)
Graham Construction
Hired as vice president of people strategy

Des Moines

Allie Gardner
The Ray Center at Drake University
Hired as assistant director

Des Moines

Jaime Mead
The Overture Group
Appointed to recruiting talent manager
Cedar Rapids

SUBMIT AN ON THE RISE: Know an Iowa woman who recently started a new management or executive-level job? Send her name, position and company, along with a photo, to liftiowa@bpcdm.com.
EVENTS

Peaceful Confidence
AUG 27 | 11:30 AM
Grand River Center
Dubuque


September Coffee Connection
SEP 6 | 7:30 AM
Hotel Renovo
Urbandale

Chrysalis Inspired
SEP 20 | 11:30 AM

Hilton Downtown Des Moines
Des Moines


Purposeful Hustle Workshops

OCT 16 | OCT 17
DoubleTree Convention Center, Cedar Rapids
Rhythm Casino & Hotel, Davenport


Learn more about these events or submit an event here.


Business Publications Corporation Inc.

515.288.3336  |  businessrecord.com

Contact the publisher and executive editor: chrisconetzkey@bpcdm.com
Contact Lift IOWA contributing editor: meganverhelst@bpcdm.com
Submit press release: newsroom@bpcdm.com
Advertising info: sarabrown@bpcdm.com
Membership info: jasonswanson@bpcdm.com

Copyright © BPC 2019, All rights reserved.
Reproduction or use without permission of editorial or graphic content in any manner is strictly prohibited.


Email Marketing by ActiveCampaign