OCSW Fall Summit aims to empower women, transform futures

In a stride towards empowering women and fostering economic growth, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) is gearing up to host its 2023 Fall Summit. This one-day event, held Oct. 24 at Oklahoma City Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center, will delve into Oklahoma's childcare crisis and its impact on women's economic opportunities. Emmy-Award winning journalist Paula Faris will serve as keynote speaker.

Searching for solutions

The Greater OKC Chamber partnered with the City of Oklahoma City, Coalign Group and the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness to study Oklahoma’s childcare shortage. The study found the issue costs our state $1.2 billion a year in lost earnings, productivity and revenue.

About 2.3 million women across the United States left the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, many to stay home and care for their children. In Oklahoma alone, if the women’s labor force participation rate increased to equal that of the men’s, there would be an additional 99,000 workers in the state’s workforce.

The OCSW 2023 Fall Summit will address the roadblocks hindering women's progress in the workforce. It will not only shed light on the challenges faced by women due to the childcare crisis but also explore viable solutions.

"If anyone wants to be a part of the solution and have their voices heard in the process of developing public policy that gives women equal footing and better opportunities in the workforce, this Summit is designed for you," said 2023 Fall Summit Chair Jana Gridley.

Expert insights and policy recommendations

The summit’s lineup of distinguished speakers includes experts in childcare costs and access, workforce development and workplace challenges. Through in-depth insights, attendees will gain a profound understanding of current strategies and challenges. More importantly, these discussions will pave the way for policy recommendations that will be presented to the Oklahoma governor and Legislature. This collaborative approach ensures that the voices of women are not only heard but also incorporated into the policymaking process.

Keynote speaker Paula Faris

Faris, known for her career at ABC news, is a mother of three and best-selling author. She left broadcast journalism in 2022 to start Carry Media, a multimedia platform that champions, advocates and celebrates working mothers through content, resources and storytelling. Her dedication to empowering women in the workplace has earned her a reputation as a thought leader on issues related to work-life balance, gender equity and career advancement.

How to participate

The daylong summit, starting at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m., includes lunch and networking opportunities. Tickets are $75 per person and are available through the official OCSW Fall Summit website.