Dear Friend,

I can't believe the first quarter of 2024 is almost wrapped up! Next month is the last month of our Fellowship Program for our second cohort. I hope that if you haven't gotten to know Emma, Stephania, and Kendall yet you will attend our National Summit in Denver and get to know them there!

As I reflect on our second cohort, it makes me so excited to think about who is applying now, who is thinking about throwing their hat in the ring, and who will eventually become members of our THIRD cohort. I hope that everyone reading this will either apply themselves if they are eligible or encourage folks they know to apply. It's been amazing to get to witness firsthand the way our Fellows have grown and helped to grow our organization and our state partners. They are such a valuable part of our team and we are so thankful for them!

If you or someone you know is currently enrolled in an institute of higher education, please consider applying for the WPLN Fellowship for Nonprofit Management. We can't wait to meet you! 

Onward,
Julia Griswold

WPLN Fellows Manager

WPLN traveled across the country this month as part of our mission to inspire, organize, and train women to lead!

• On March 6, WPLN President and Founder Larissa Martinez joined the Montana Women in Business Summit, where she hosted the panel "From Boardroom to Ballot: Women Leaders Seeking Public Service."
• On March 8, WPLN Director of Development and External Affairs Maureen McInerney attended Colorado Women's Day, where she led a workshop on building personal and political capital.

WPLN is accepting applications for the 2024-25 WPLN Fellowship for Nonprofit Management program! We're looking for college students with a passion for increasing women's representation in public office. 

Our 2023-24 WPLN Fellows! From left to right: Kendall Webb, Stephania Fulleda, and Emma Ruskamp

Lauren Johnson, WPLN Intern

Lauren is a senior at the University of Georgia's Honors College majoring in Political Science and International Affairs. She graduates in May and plans to move to D.C. to pursue a career in politics. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn!

Interested in joining our team? Apply for WPLN's summer internship!

... We've got women in history to celebrate!

Since the month of March is designated as Women's History Month in the United States, our 2023-24 WPLN Fellows and Intern are spotlighting incredible women who helped shape American history:

• "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown by Kendall Webb
• Educator Maria Baldwin by Emma Ruskamp
• Former U.S. Representative Barbara Comstock by Stephania Fulleda
• Dr. Sally Ride by Kendall Webb
• Former U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan by Lauren Johnson
• New York Governor Kathy Hochul by Emma Ruskamp
• American Aviator Harriet Quimby by Lauren Johnson

And since we know you're busy, here are our top picks for other "must reads" this month!

• For the woman taking control of her financial power, Forbes covered "the Great Wealth Transfer" and what it means for women — and for society.
• For the woman who needs inspiration to keep going, a new Gallup poll found that 57% of Americans "believe the country would be better run if more women held political office."
• For the woman who wants to Remember the Ladies, check out our monthly feature on key moments in women's representation and rights during the month of March in the past.

READING

This month, we're reading this bestseller by Kristin Hannah, The Women. This story of a Army Corps nurse is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices women make for their country.

WATCHING

Shirley tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. 

LISTENING TO

For International Women's Day, The 19th's Errin Haines hosted a SXSW panel with journalist Katie Couric, actor Brooke Shields, sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen, and Meghan Markle.

EXCITED FOR

The 2024 women's basketball tournament kicked off last week, and we're excited to see women chase their dreams and show their skills — and break some more records!

MARCH 31 | Running Start trains young women to run for political office, and it's accepting applications for its Congressional Fellowship and High School Program through March 31!

APRIL 12 | Our Pennsylvania training partner Level Up is holding a "Classroom to Career" seminar with women leaders in Pennsylvania's state government. Space is limited, so reserve your seat now!

Support WPLN programs and resources by making a contribution today!

Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is a non-profit organization organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law.