Carly Erickson believes wholeheartedly that big change is powered by small efforts.
A year ago, the Saratoga Springs mom was just finishing up her master’s degree in public health after parenting for 13 years. Passionate about improving life for girls and women in Utah, her mentor suggested she consider attending the kickoff event for “A Bolder Way Forward.”
The Utah Women & Leadership Project at Utah State University is the backbone organization for A Bolder Way Forward. The initiative started in June 2023 and is framed around systems knowing “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Since its founding, it has been convening leaders, partners, affiliates and volunteers throughout the state to create positive change for Utah women and girls.
The initiative’s framework is symbolized by a wheel with 18 spokes, each representing a different area of focus for women’s rights related to education, workplace, community engagement, safety and security, and health and well-being. There are also 12 related impact teams “that will help with the significant work required for much-needed societal change in Utah,” says Dr. Susan R. Madsen, founder and director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project.
“A Bolder Way Forward is a call to action to make Utah communities stronger. Utah is at a pivotal point in history where societal change needs to happen so more women and girls can thrive. When women and girls thrive, families thrive and communities thrive,” Madsen says.
A chain reaction
Erickson now works as a family counselor at the Center for Change, representing the eating disorders working group within the Health Across the Lifespan spoke. She is also the coordinator for the Higher Education Attainment spoke. “Both jobs bring me so much purpose and excitement in advocating for improved health, safety and happiness for women and girls,” she says.
Erickson recruited her mother, Lenore Stevens, manager of culture and engagement at Young Living Essential Oils, to attend this year’s A Bolder Way Forward summit. More than 1,000 attended either in-person or via a livestream. “I was absolutely overwhelmed with the summit,” Stevens says. “It started in the parking lot. As I was parking, I saw all the women streaming into the building. I have worked in some male-dominated fields, so it was empowering to see so many women coming together. I teared up.”
Stevens, in turn, invited her director because she felt like she was someone who would resonate with the summit. “We both came back to the office enthused to create an environment that works for women,” Stevens says. “I’m in the last few years of my career, and my involvement [in A Bolder Way Forward] is part of a legacy I hope to leave to my children and grandchildren.” She plans to get involved in the Gender Pay Gap spoke.
What are the goals of A Bolder Way Forward?
Utah has been working on related efforts to support women and girls for too long using the “parts” strategy. “We need to shift and move together as a system.” A Bolder Way Forward has a goal to create change by 2030, with a checkpoint in 2026.
The past year has been spent securing legislative funding; training spoke leaders, coordinators and impact team leaders; launching a website; inviting champions; establishing coalitions in Utah’s 29 counties; gathering partners; creating executive committees; conducting a baseline survey; launching fundraising plans; setting goals; designing metric dashboards; recording podcasts for all 18 spokes; establishing college campus collaboratives; and launching a monthly newsletter.
One of the most important things completed in the first year of the initiative was conducting a statewide research survey to establish a baseline of public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding and attitudes around challenges that Utah women and girls face. From the survey, research summaries were written for each of the 18 spokes which helped spoke leaders determine their goals. When it comes to the greatest challenges women face in Utah, 42 percent of survey respondents cited “lack of recognition/undervalued (includes sexism, bias and discrimination).” Some 37.8 percent said the greatest opportunities for Utah women and girls is work and employment (with caveats of equal pay, family-friendly policies, flexibility and onsite child care).
Now in its second year, A Bolder Way Forward is focused on connecting and aligning all the pieces. “We are continuing to raise awareness of the issues by making resources and tools that are easily digestible,” Madsen says. “We are in the process of determining three key steps for each spoke to move Utah forward.”
Madsen firmly believes Utah can become the national leader in how to implement positive change for girls, women and families. “No other state in the country is trying to accomplish what we are,” she says.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, in her opening remarks at the 2nd Annual A Bolder Way Forward Summit, echoed Erickson’s mantra of “big change is powered by small efforts.” Lt. Gov. Henderson said this movement requires everyone to do their part: “It’s OK to work on your piece, to do your bit of good, to lift where you stand. As you do this work, invite others along. This is a journey that requires everyone, especially right now, when we live in such a disconnected and polarized world.”
Utahns are invited to find exciting and inspiring ways to connect with others who are passionate about easing the barriers women and girls currently face. “There are all kinds of ways to get involved no matter where your passion lies or how much time you have to offer,” Erickson says.
Madsen invites Utahns to visit the website, abolderwayforward.org, and learn more about all the components of the movement. “Our website has become quite extensive in the past year, filled with helpful resources for our communities,” Madsen says. “We invite anyone to join who wants to become more educated and engaged in the work of helping more women and girls thrive in Utah.”