Women’s economic empowerment is critical for U.S. development and diplomacy. It is key not only for growth through the direct output of the labor force but also in productivity.

American investments in programs such as We-Fi, a women’s business investment facility supported by the U.S. Department of State or the 2x Women’s Initiative launched by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, are helping women to start and scale new businesses at the same rate men do, with the potential to create economic gains in the order of $5-6 trillion. America’s investments in programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have helped reduce the child mortality rate by 35% and the maternal mortality rate by 25% between 2004-2018.

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, leaders from America’s Heartland reflect on what this month means to them, why is it so important that America leads globally to provide women more opportunities to advance economically, and what they want leaders in Washington to know about investing in women and girls around the world.

What does U.S. leadership during Women’s History Month mean to you?

Michigan

• “I am proud of our nation’s leadership in advancing women’s economic opportunities here in the U.S. and around the world. Many American government, business, and community leaders are striving toward gender equity and invest in women’s economic empowerment. They recognize and appreciate the vital contributions women make to the nation’s economy, security, and overall wellbeing and understand that greater participation will yield greater results in all.”
  • Marian Reich, President, Global Ties Detroit

Ohio

• “Every March, the Cleveland Council on World Affairs seek to draw attention to global women’s rights through its public programming. This year, we hosted two of the 2023 recipients of the International Women of Courage award given by the State Department. We could not credibly host these programs and have a public conversation in Cleveland about women’s rights if the United States were not leading on this issue globally.”
  • Carina Van Vliet, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, CEO

Why is women’s economic empowerment so important to your work, and why is it so important that America leads globally to provide women more opportunities to advance economically?

Illinois

• “If there is anything we have learned in the last three years, it is that we are a global community. The global pandemic, the energy and agricultural fallout from the Ukraine War, the effects of global climate change…we are all connected. Investing in women means investing in the stability of a community and a country. And instability affects us all – anywhere and everywhere.”
  • Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin, Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs Council, Board Member & Distinguished Fellow Ambassador (Ret.)

Kansas

• “International trade creates significant economic opportunities for women across the globe. As trade has been an engine of poverty reduction, it can also be an engine to reduce the gender wealth gap. We know that exporting companies worldwide hire more women (33% vs. 24% for non-exporting companies), so we must encourage more organizations to grow their international sales capacity. For America, it’s important to lead by example and show the rest of the world what is possible for women, and for the economy as a whole, by supporting more international trade and export relationships.”
  • Laura Lombard, President & CEO, Kansas Global Trade Services

Ohio

• “Research has shown that educating girls and empowering women drives productivity and economic growth, which helps communities flourish and reduces social grievances and sources of conflict, which means that women are the key to community stability. The United States should lead globally to provide more opportunities for women because this will ultimately support global stability. This leadership is all the more important at a time when instability seems to have permeated so many aspects of our lives.”
  • Carina Van Vliet, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, CEO

What do you want leaders in Washington to know about investing in women and girls around the world from leaders in America’s Heartland, like yourself?

Kansas

• Investing in women and girls here at home and around the world is vital to increasing the health and wealth of the world. I say health with multiple meanings: literally, better health outcomes but also political, emotional, and cultural health. We know that when more women work, economies grow, boosting productivity, increasing economic diversification, and creating more financially stable families.
  • Laura Lombard, President & CEO, Kansas Global Trade Services

Michigan

• “Women leading makes all of our communities stronger and safer across the globe. Empowering women and girls everywhere lifts up entire communities to reach their full potential. It is crucial that the U.S. make important investments in women and girls, especially where they have the least power – both economically and socially – so that all of us can live more peaceful and secure lives.”
  • Jodi Hope Michaels, Executive Director, Global Ties Kalamazoo, MI
• “I would like to share that investing in women and girls around the world enriches our own community here in the Midwest/SE Michigan. It encourages growth and innovation. The returns on investment are great: new ideas, insights, expertise to share. Creative and collaborative problem solving. Our experience bears this out — the more the U.S. invests internationally, the greater the opportunity to build trust, improve understanding, and create a more peaceful and prosperous world.
  • Marian Reich, President, Global Ties Detroit, MI

Missouri

• “The significance of American influence in supporting girls’ education, an end to trafficking in persons and modern-day slavery, and empowering women around the world to be given the opportunity to live up to their full potential. What we say and do as a nation matters on the national and international stage.”
  • Courtney Brooks, Global Ties KC, President & CEO; USGLC Next Gen Global Leader

Where do you see the greatest impact of investments in women and girls globally?

Michigan

• One of the areas of great impact for women and girls is in STEM. As a host to the TechGirls program, I see that investing in girls and women’s education creates limitless opportunities for growth and innovation.
  • Marian Reich, President, Global Ties Detroit

Nebraska

• “The greatest impact for women globally is in education and mentoring.”
  • Cindi Allen, Deputy Secretary of State, Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office

Ohio

• “The greatest impact of investment in women and girls is in education. Because educated girls become more engaged and productive members of their societies and help build community. They also become women who help build peace throughout the world. Every day, in every corner of the planet, women stand up for human rights and justice and they fight back against violence and oppression. Women help build the kinds of communities that we all want to live in.”
  • Carina Van Vliet, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, CEO