APS Discussion Group: Are You a Feminist?

The first in our new series of discussion groups will be co-facilitated on September 28th by Speaker, Author and APS Board Member Joni Wickham of Wickham James Strategies and Solutions and APS Executive Director Claire Bishop. We will be tackling the question “Are You a Feminist?” 

What does the current socio-political landscape say about feminism’s past and present? Roe v. Wade has been overturned, some view the #MeToo Movement as unceremoniously abandoned with the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard defamation trial, and 2022 marked the year that Apple launched a pregnant man emoji. If you are perplexed by these issues of the day and how they relate to the contemporary feminism movement, you are probably not alone. Take a spin through some of the curated resources below, and if they spark an interest, please join us on September 28th for a facilitated discussion group that will center YOUR voice and experience. Please note that space is limited—if you want to participate, sign up today! 

Joni Wickham is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Joni and her indisputable southern accent arrived in Kansas City almost 10 years ago after leading initiatives within state and federal government as well as advocacy organizations. In her eight years with the mayor’s office—the majority of them spent as Chief of Staff—Joni has proven herself as an accomplished political strategist, communications expert, and organizational leader. She directed public policy initiatives, communications tactics, and administrative decision-making during her tenure, all while promoting women’s leadership and empowerment issues. An artful negotiator, Joni helped steer Sly’s major development projects in Kansas City while raising the city’s profile at the national and international levels. Her front-row seat at city hall shed light on how local government is still very much a man’s world, and this motivated her to create a first-of-its-kind women’s empowerment initiative, which has been implemented in several major cities.

Joni is the author of the best-selling book titled, “The Thin Line Between Cupcake and Bitch: Taking Action, Driving Change and Getting Results.”

Claire Bishop An experienced leader and organizational transformation expert, Claire believes in the power of community and advancing the missions of organizations. A proud Kansas City native, Claire has served as a marketing executive and board member in for-profit and nonprofit organizations.  A seasoned communication professional, Claire brings clarity, organization and passion to the APS community.

Women Need Better Solutions Than Abortion | Opinion (newsweek.com) 

Is There A Place For Black Women In White Feminism? (forbes.com) 

Black women often ignored by social justice movements (apa.org) 

Sheryl Sandberg and the Crackling Hellfire of Corporate America – The Atlantic 

The Problem with Everything | Book by Meghan Daum | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster (simonandschuster.com)