Summit: "The Status of Women in Georgia"

The International Women's Think Tank is conducting research on women and gender equality; "Gender Gap Research". In conjunction with this research project, IWTT is hosting a Summit on "The Status of Women in Georgia", October 3, 2014.

The Summit will convene leaders for a discussion on issues facing women from education, economic security factors, leadership and health. Through round-table discussions and research presentations, participants will explore the challenges facing women and discuss the best ways to engage groups and individuals to build momentum and best practices on improving the well being of women in Georgia.

The Summit Goal is to establish and launch a 21st Century Strategic Action Plan to Improve the Status of Women in Georgia.

Taifa Butler is the Deputy Director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.

As GBPI’s deputy director, Taifa provides strategic direction on public policy research and data analysis. She leads a team of analysts covering a wide range of policy areas including tax and economic development, health care, education, social services and economic security

Taifa brings nearly 20 years of experience in strategic communications, public policy research and data analysis in the public, nonprofit and private sectors. Prior to joining the GBPI team, she served as the policy and communications director for Georgia Family Connection Partnership where she co-managed the Georgia KIDS COUNT project and monitored public

policy and its impact on children, families and communities. Additionally, Taifa has held various positions with the Georgia for Children and Youth Professionals and MBIA Muni Services/Municipal Tax Bureau Company in Philadelphia

Taifa is an avid education and family advocate. She has served as host of statewide and national steering committees, advisory boards and coalitions. She served in various roles in youth, children’s, and family ministries. She has served on various committees and boards, including the Chamber of Commerce.

She was an education policy fellow with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education’s Class of 2009 Policy Fellowship Program, and is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. Taifa holds a bachelor’s in politics and economics from Mount Holyoke College and a master’s in public management and policy from the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University, with a concentration in economic development and financial management.

Summit Moderator: Attorney Dara Mann, Partner McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP

Summit Speakers:

Senator Donzella James, Georgia Senate District 35

Commissioner Nellie Duke, Chair, Georgia Commission on Women

Ms. Taifa Butler, Deputy Director, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute

Ms. Carlis V. Williams, SE Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services

Ms. Paulette Norvel Lewis, Special Assistant to the Director,

Women's Bureau, Region IV, U.S. Department of Labor

Ms. Monica Thornton, Executive Director, Women In Technology