Section 1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the Project

In support of its mission to advance economic development and promote gender equity, REACH Women’s Network created the Community Survey of Women in the Workplace as a platform for women to anonymously share their thoughts, preferences, and experiences related to job satisfaction and personal and professional barriers impacting their career growth. The goal of this groundbreaking, comprehensive survey of working women in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina is to provide employers with actionable information to support women in the workplace. REACH Women’s Network hopes that the data from this survey — and the meaningful actions that it prompts — will help position Winston-Salem as a city where working women thrive.

1.2 Organizational Background

1.2.1 Background on REACH Women’s Network

In August of 2017, 14 diverse working women, mostly strangers, met to discuss the gender gap in Winston-Salem. They shared frustrations, regrets, hopes, and dreams. The sense of safety and solidarity was so powerful that they decided to meet again… and again. Soon a clear vision took shape. In 2018, REACH Women’s Network became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to advance economic development and promote gender equity by elevating the collective voice and influence of women in the workplace.

Today REACH Women’s Network members REACH over to each other, REACH up in their careers, REACH out to the community, and REACH back to other women on the journey. In addition to regular member programming, REACH Women’s Network hosts the annual REACH Women’s Conference and The Pink Couch collaborative event series. REACH members serve as mentors for the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, as community ambassadors through Winston Welcomes Women (a collaborative program with Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.), and as consultants on topics pertaining to women in the workplace.

1.2.2 Background on Forsyth Futures

Forsyth Futures believes an informed community is empowered to advocate for local, evidence-based policies and solutions that can improve the quality of life for all. We are a research-focused nonprofit organization that produces informational content to support decision-making in Forsyth County. Our goal is to mobilize Forsyth County’s collective problem-solving capacities to achieve positive change by helping people better understand and work with information. Learn more about how we study our community to inform action at ForsythFutures.org.

1.2.3 Partners and Funder Disclosure

REACH Women’s Network secured funding for the Community Survey of Women in the Workplace from the Richard J. Reynolds, III and Marie M. Reynolds Foundation, Twin City Development Foundation, and Woody Clinard. Strategic marketing firm Girl on the Roof donated services to the project. Although employers were encouraged to promote and distribute the survey to their female-identifying employees, no corporate dollars were used for the survey itself. This helped ensure the integrity of the survey design, analysis, and reporting.

1.3 How REACH Women’s Network Will Use Information

Topline survey information will be shared at the REACH Women’s Conference on April 19, 2023, after which a report will be released to the public. Following additional analysis, REACH Women’s Network plans to provide interested employers with actionable information to help women in their organizations thrive. If future funding is secured, the survey will be repeated periodically to track progress, with the end goal of positioning Winston-Salem / Forsyth County as a strategically desirable place for women to live and work.