May 2022 WPLN Newsletter

Dear friend, 

I don't know about you, but this May has felt full and often emotional — from the first glimpses of summer to major headlines to elections, and most recently in the truly devastating events in Laguna Woods, CA; Buffalo, NY; and Uvalde, TX. We at WPLN share in the profound sadness and anger at what occurred, and our hearts are with these communities.

Every day, we feel the effects of public policies on our daily lives, and when tragedies like this happen, we feel compelled to find the reasons behind everything leading up to, during, and in the aftermath of the event. Having strong, effective leaders with a diversity of backgrounds at decision-making tables has never been more important. We have many tough conversations ahead of us and need people with integrity who are willing to look beyond rhetoric, dive deep into policies, and find creative solutions that consider the long-term impacts on all touched by the policies.

We are faced with so much happening in the world, nationally, and in our cities and neighborhoods — it’s our hope that you’ll direct the emotion and conviction you’re feeling to get more involved and engaged in your communities. Whether it is running for office yourself, supporting candidates that represent your views (it's an election year!), or participating in community conversations, we need your voice now more than ever. WPLN is here to support your journey, however that may look. Let's go!

Onward,

Larissa

WPLN President and Co-Founder

ICYMI, earlier this month WPLN rolled out events, programs, and conversations to celebrate #MomsOnTheTrail! We highlighted mothers who are seeking or serving in public office, to share the challenges they faced — and their tips for addressing them — and to inspire other mothers that they, too, can balance motherhood and public service.

• On May 2, we hosted a Facebook Live with Bobbie Daniel, Chairwoman of our training partner Colorado Women's Alliance. During our Q&A, Bobbie shared her experiences on best practices, balancing demands, and dealing with challenges on the trail and in office, among other topics.
• We also hosted a free event on May 4 for spouses, partners, or children to learn how to support a woman in their life on her political journey. There are many different kinds of support systems, and we at WPLN want to help strengthen them all, including those comprised of family members and friends.
• Lastly, we hosted a free live children's book reading of My Mommy is a Candidate, co-authored by WPLN Co-Founder and President Larissa Martinez! This book helps explain life on the campaign trail and in office to young children, so that they can understand their moms' daily activities and recognize leadership skills.

We also featured a #MomsOnTheTrail series of interviews with the following mothers who are candidates for office or serving in office:

• Vermont State Representative Samantha Lefebvre.
• North Dakota State Senator Jessica Bell. 
• Candidate for the California State Assembly Kate Sanchez. 
• New Mexico State House candidate Nicole Chavez.
• Texas State Representative Angie Chen Button. 
• Rhode Island State Senator Jessica de la Cruz. 
• Washington State Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley. 
• California State Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares. 

Exciting news! Campaigns & Elections recently announced the winners of the 2022 #ReedAwards, and WPLN is thrilled to congratulate the following winners, who were all sponsors of our #WPLNSummit: Donor Bureau; Ampersand Strategies; the National Retail Federation; and RumbleUp. Congratulations to all!

NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY ALLIANCE | "Women and Memorial Day": "Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Join us as we honor the women who served and who paid the ultimate price, and whose stories have far too often disappeared from history." Read more.

19th NEWS | "Is this the year for two-woman tickets?": "In at least 13 states, women are running for both governor and lieutenant governor this year, according to a preliminary tally by the Center for American Women and Politics. Additional primary races this month could set up more two-woman tickets for the general election — and if one is successful, it will be the first time in U.S. history that voters have elected two women to a state’s top two executive spots." Read more.

DESERET NEWS | "Gender matters in government — we need women": "Through the years, I’ve had many people tell me that when electing someone to public office, the most important thing is that he or she is a “good person” and that gender doesn’t matter. And I agree with the first premise. Goodness matters. However, hundreds of rigorous studies have made it clear that gender also matters. Research continues to confirm that when both men and women serve together in more equal numbers within communities, counties and states, residents are better served and more likely to thrive." Read more.

19th NEWS | "The governor’s races we’re watching in 2022": "This year, 36 states are scheduled to hold elections for governor around the country and at least a dozen will include major bids from women, women of color, and LGBTQ+ people. As of May 2022, eight incumbent women governors are seeking reelection; 23 women are running for open seats in eight states, according to data from the Center for American Women and Politics. ... At least 30 Republican women are running for governor this year, already breaking the 2018 record of 20." Read more.

LOS ANGELES TIMES | "Why Brittney Griner was in Russia, and what it says about women’s sports in the U.S.": "Those unfamiliar with the layered challenges women face in professional sports will probably wonder why an athlete so accomplished ... would need to leave the United States to find offseason work. ... The reality is that more than half of the women in the WNBA currently supplement their incomes by playing for professional clubs overseas from the end of the WNBA season to the start of the next." Read more.

The Barbara Lee Family Foundation recently published a new report, called Shared Hurdles: How Political Races Change When Two Women Compete.

The key findings include the following, per the BLFF:

• Voters no longer see women as a novelty on the campaign trail.
• There are significant racial, gender, and partisan differences when it comes to beliefs about the importance of electing women and people of color.
• Voters broadly say they do not believe that gender impacts a candidate’s ability to govern, but about half of voters think women are different from men when they serve as elected officials.
• Voters demand to know why a woman candidate is qualified for office, and she must balance qualifications with likeability.
• Knowledge of issues and experience are more important than a candidate’s personal story.
• Messages resonate most when they center on the voter’s life.
• In woman vs. woman races, party makes a difference. Partisanship influences decisions.

Read more.

READING | My Life: Growing Up Asian in America: To commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, WPLN is recommending this collection of essays by various contributors — including journalist SuChin Pak, best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz, and tech innovator Ellen K. Pao. Learn more.

WATCHING | The Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial: Regardless of who you believe is being more truthful, the coverage of — and reaction to — this trial has been eye-opening. In an MSNBC op-ed titled "No matter who 'wins' the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial, America has lost," opinion columnist Liz Plank writes, "Armchair pundits and comedians have called the trial and its ensuing media circus 'fun.' The experience has been anything but for survivors. This kind of voyeuristic and sensationalistic celebrity treatment further normalizes abuse and undermines victims of intimate partner violence, especially those who happen to be women." Learn more.

LISTENING TO | The Political Contessa podcast Season 1 Episode 36 featuring with Dee Dee Bass Wilbon and Deana Bass Williams: So we know that in our April newsletter we highlighted Jennifer Nassour's podcast episode with June Cutter, but we have to highlight the podcast again this month — because she keeps hosting the best guests! This recent episode features the Bass Sisters, so don't miss it! Learn more.

EXCITED FOR | Our upcoming retreat with Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears: WPLN is hosting an upcoming State Partner retreat in Northern Virginia, with a Leadership Dinner featuring Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears! To learn more about our state partners, click here.

• Septima Poinsette Clark, educator, civil rights activist, and voting rights activist (May 3)
• Nellie Bly (the pen name of Elizabeth Cochrane Seama), journalist and investigator (May 5)
• Phebe Ann Coffin Hanaford, ordained minister who became the first woman to serve as chaplain to the Connecticut state legislature (May 6)
• Mary Lou Williams, jazz pianist (May 8)
• Jacqueline Cochran, pilot who set multiple records, including as the first woman to break the sound barrier (May 11)
• Mary Kay Ash, businesswoman who founded Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc. (May 12)
• Sophie Kurys, baseball player and the greatest base stealer in All-American Girls Professional Baseball League history (May 14)
• Madeleine Albright, diplomat who became the first female United States Secretary of State when she took office in 1997 (May 15)
• Nancy Grace Roman, astronomer who became the first female NASA executive, served as NASA's first Chief of Astronomy, created NASA's space astronomy program, and is known as "the Mother of Hubble" (May 16)
• Regina M. Anderson, playwright and member of the Harlem Renaissance (May 21)
• Helen Taussig, cardiologist and founder of pediatric cardiology who was the first woman to be elected head of the American Heart Association (May 24)
• Rachel Carson, marine biologist and conservationist who wrote Silent Spring (May 27)
• Amelia Bloomer, suffragist who was the first woman to own, edit, and publish a women's newspaper (May 27)
• Eliza Ann Gardner, abolitionist and women's rights activist who founded the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ) and helped found the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs (May 28)
• Lavone "Pepper" Paire Davis, baseball player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (May 29)

ICYMI: WPLN's #MomsOnTheTrails events: In case you missed any of our events for Mother's Day, you can still learn about each event at our website and watch the recordings. Learn more.

JUNE 9 | Lunch + Conversation with the Colorado Women's Alliance: Join our Colorado training partner Colorado Women's Alliance for lunch and a conversation! Learn more.

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.