Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.
Kansas district courts handle family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts. The Child Support Services division operates under the Department for Children and Families. Wichita, Kansas City KS, Overland Park, and Topeka are the largest cities. Kansas Legal Services and the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence provide statewide help for women.
The Kansas Commission on the Status of Women, housed within the Office of the Governor in Topeka, advises state government on pay equity, women's economic security, and reproductive health policy. The commission publishes data briefs and convenes annual hearings; reach staff at 785-296-3773.
785-296-3773 · Topeka, KS 66612 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
The YWCA of Wichita at 350 N Market Street operates the city's certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center alongside racial justice programming and women's leadership initiatives. The 316-263-5626 line connects callers to crisis services or community programs.
316-263-5626 · 350 N Market St, Wichita, KS 67202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Dress for Success Wichita at 120 N Market Street outfits clients returning to the workforce with an interview suit and a second outfit once she's hired, plus career coaching through the Professional Women's Group. Referrals come from workforce agencies; appointments are required at 316-269-0299.
316-269-0299 · 120 N Market St, Wichita, KS 67202 · By appointment · Visit Website
WIN KC is a cross-sector network of professional women in the Kansas City metro running mentoring circles, leadership cohorts, and an annual women's summit. The 913-362-5900 line is the main contact for membership inquiries and event registration.
913-362-5900 · Kansas City metro area · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
The Junior League of Wichita trains women in volunteer leadership while operating multi-year community projects on issues like childhood literacy and human trafficking awareness. New members complete a provisional year before electing service committees. Reach the league at 316-262-1872.
316-262-1872 · Wichita, KS · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Girls on the Run South Central Kansas runs 10-week after-school programs for girls in grades 3-8 that build confidence, life skills, and physical activity habits, capped by a 5K run. The Wichita-area office at 316-260-4487 coordinates more than 30 site locations during fall and spring seasons.
316-260-4487 · Wichita, KS · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
KCSL at 3545 SW 5th Street in Topeka runs the Healthy Families home visitation program for first-time mothers, foster care services, and parent education classes statewide. The 785-274-3100 line connects callers to the right program for their region.
785-274-3100 · 3545 SW 5th St, Topeka, KS 66606 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
AAUW has active branches in Wichita, Lawrence, Manhattan, and Topeka hosting Smart Start salary negotiation workshops on Kansas college campuses each spring. The national organization funds graduate fellowships and publishes the closely watched Simple Truth pay-gap report.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Kansas NOW has chapters in Wichita, Lawrence, and the Kansas City metro that lobby on reproductive rights, equal pay, and LGBTQ+ protections at the state legislature. The national site lists upcoming local meetings and federal action alerts.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The League of Women Voters of Kansas has more than 20 local leagues holding nonpartisan candidate forums, voter registration drives, and policy studies on redistricting and election integrity. Membership is open regardless of gender and shapes the national LWV policy positions.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
YWCA USA coordinates the national network including local YWCAs in Wichita, Topeka, and Northeast Kansas, whose service lines include shelter, after-school care, racial justice training, and economic empowerment. The locator on ywca.org returns the nearest affiliate by ZIP.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
WFN is the trade association for women's foundations and giving circles; its annual research on barriers to women's economic mobility informs many state-level policy debates including Kansas's. Donors and grantees both use the network for benchmarking strategies.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Junior League's national association coordinates more than 290 leagues across the US including Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City. Members complete a provisional year focused on leadership training before electing into service committees that run multi-year community impact projects.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Soroptimist clubs in Kansas fund the Live Your Dream cash awards for women heads of household returning to school and the Dream It Be It career mentoring program for high school girls. Clubs in Wichita, Topeka, and Hutchinson meet monthly.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Zonta clubs in Wichita and the Kansas City suburbs focus on ending child marriage, supporting women in STEM, and funding the Amelia Earhart aviation scholarships and Jane M. Klausman business management awards. Members are typically business and professional women meeting monthly.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website