WCF Foundation set out to understand the status of women in the most influential state-level appointed roles with the launch of our research, "Unlocking the Cabinet: Where Women Stand in State Appointments and Where We Need Them to Go." The results revealed that gender equity in appointments is attainable - but requires a firm commitment from governors and their staff, partner organizations and women seeking appointments.

Key Findings

• State-appointed officials shape the governor's agenda, exert significant rule-making authority and manage large portions of the state's budget-at the cabinet level in the average state, appointed leaders collectively manage an average $12.5 billion.
• Yet women hold just under 30 percent of appointed policy positions in the states, with little net improvement in the last 10 years
• At the state cabinet level, men outnumber women 2 to 1.  In some states, women hold no cabinet seats at all

Next Steps

Within the next three years anywhere from 20 to 47 of our nation's governors will transition out of office and pass the torch to new leaders. This turnover provides an enormous opportunity to change the face of state cabinets.

Governors' staff and transition teams, partner organizations and the women who seek appointed office all have a part to play in ensuring well-qualified women fill the appointments pipeline. WCF Foundation has identified a variety of simple steps for each. The priorities:

• Governors' Staff and Transition Teams - Cast the widest net possible. Talented women can be found by building networks into the professional and community organizations in the state and engaging them in your search.
• Partner Organizations - Set priorities for your organization. Rather than advance a wide-range of candidates, target the offices that have the most impact on your mission and then recruit, cultivate, prepare and propose the best women your organization has to offer.
• Women Appointment Seekers - Make yourself helpful and visible. Transition teams can only consider the talent they know about. Become active in your community, building networks in the campaigns of the candidates you most believe in and don't be shy about taking credit for jobs well done.

With a concentrated effort on steps like these, it's not so hard to imagine cabinets nationwide that make use of the talents of both their state's women and men equally.

Download the full report.