Mayor Walsh announces request for proposal for academic partner with the Boston Women's Workforce Council

BOSTON - Tuesday August 30, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a request for proposal (RFP) seeking an academic partner for the Boston Women's Workforce Council (BWWC). The academic partner will house and support the Executive Director of the BWWC and bring academic and research resources of the chosen institution to support the gender equality goals of the Council.

"Closing the gender wage gap is the right thing to do. It's good for businesses' bottom line and is important to the vitality of Boston's economy. More than 160 businesses that have signed the 100% Talent compact, and it's the reason Boston is on track to become the first city in the nation to close the gender wage gap," said Mayor Walsh. "We look forward to collaborating with an academic partner to add students, professors and researchers to the work of the Boston Women's Workforce Council. Together, we will harness Boston's vibrant economy, and create a premier city for working women."

The BWWC, a business-led and funded public-private partnership between Mayor Walsh and the Greater Boston Business community, is charged with implementing the 100% Talent Compact. The 100% Compact is a first-in-the-nation program in which businesses pledge to take concrete, measurable steps to eliminate the wage gap in their company and to report their progress and employee demographic and salary data anonymously every two years. The 100% Compact is essential to making Boston the best city in America for working women by ensuring all working women are paid equitably and given equal opportunity.

"I thank Mayor Walsh and the business community for their commitment to closing the gender wage gap," said Evelyn Murphy, co-chair of the Boston Women's Workforce Council and former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. "By formally engaging with an academic partner this enables the BWWC to incorporate outstanding academic resources in our work."

"Given the growth and success of the BWWC over the past few years it is critical for us to add to the capacity of our work," said Cathy E. Minehan, co-chair of the Boston Women's Workforce Council. "Formally adding an academic partner is an important step, but one that also recognizes the support of the business community for their commitment to close the gender wage gap. "

The request for proposal can be found on the City of Boston's supplier portal with the identification number EV00003516.