Dear friend, 

I am excited to introduce myself to you all in my new role as honorary Co-Chair of Women's Public Leadership Network! I want to thank the entire Board of Directors; our Chairman, Joel Noyes; and our Founder and President, Larissa Martinez, for allowing me this opportunity to be part of the important work of encouraging women to seek office.

My first introduction to WPLN was this past April at our National Summit in San Diego. I was so impressed by the diverse group of women united around a common goal, and I am looking forward to continuing to connect with this growing network.

Serving as an elected official has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am invested in the success of WPLN because I know they are supporting a generation of women who will create a positive impact and give all Americans freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. Public leadership takes tremendous sacrifice, but we need commonsense, effective leadership now more than ever.

You inspire me — thank you for stepping up to lead and supporting WPLN's work. 

With gratitude,

Rep. Mimi Walters

Former Congresswoman CA-45

WPLN Honorary Co-Chair

Please join us in welcoming the newest additions to the WPLN Leadership Team:

• Former Congresswoman Mimi Walters
• Liz Bowman
• Michelle Phillips

We're delighted to have Mimi Walters, Chief Commercial Officer of Leading Edge Power Solutions and former U.S. Representative, as our inaugural honorary Co-Chair.

We're also excited to welcome Liz Bowman, Vice President of Communications at AXPC, and Michelle Phillips, Vice President of Land at Lime Rock Resources, to our Board of Directors!

In celebration of this, WPLN released three #LeadershipSpotlight videos this month! In the first, WPLN Founder and President Larissa Martinez spoke with former Congresswoman and honorary Co-Chair Mimi Walters about her leadership journey, as well as her experiences running for and serving in office. Learn more or watch the video.

We next spoke with Liz Bowman for our second #LeadershipSpotlight. She previously served in a number of top communications and public affairs roles including at the American Petroleum Institute; as Communications Director for U.S. Senator Joni Ernst; and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Watch the video.

Our most recent #LeadershipSpotlight highlighted Michelle Phillips, who has worked in a variety of land roles for spanning commercial, surface, and minerals. She also previously served as a faculty member at the University of North Dakota School of Law teaching Oil and Gas Law as well as Energy and Mining Law. Watch the video.

For our August #TipsFromTheTrail, WPLN Director of Development and External Affairs Maureen McInerney spoke with Marta Salazar, Director of Agency Relations in Political Advocacy Group Sales at TelevisiaUnivision. Marta works to educate candidates and campaigns on the importance and challenges of appealing to Hispanics. Learn more or watch the video.

This month, WPLN also launched the second cohort of our Fellowship for Nonprofit Management for the 2023-2024 academic year! We're excited to welcome these three young women, who were selected for this Fellowship out of nearly 100 final applicants:

• Stephania Fulleda, University of Georgia (Norcross, GA)
• Emma Ruskamp, University of Nebraska Omaha (Columbus, NE)
• Kendall Webb, Mercer University (Hot Springs, AK)

As part of the program, fellows will help build the capacity of our organization and assist our State Partners who identify, engage, and train women on the ground to seek public office. Learn more.

Lastly, WPLN's training event in Oklahoma City, OK, on August 8 was postponed due to inclement weather and flight delays for our team. We are diligently working to reschedule the event for a later date! Stay tuned for more information.

CNN | "Taylor Swift, ‘Barbie’ and Beyoncé are unleashing the spending power of women": "There are more women than ever in their prime working age in the United States, earning – and spending – a paycheck. Women’s labor force participation rates have rebounded from the pandemic 'she-cession' and returned to pre-pandemic form. In June, the labor force participation rate for women in their prime working age of 25 to 54 years old hit an all-time high of 77.8%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The rate retreated slightly in July to 77.5% but still remained historically high."

FORBES | "How mobility for women creates better business outcomes": "When business executives work with mobility teams, they can be more intentional about interviewing a wider pool of candidates for corporate-sponsored relocation. These organizations are more likely to succeed – in hitting business objectives as well as achieving more diverse executive teams. That’s because the business will be tapping into a qualified, yet often overlooked talent pool."

HUFFINGTON POST | "Data reveals an infuriating reason women over 40 are held back at work": "...there is no mythical 'prime' working age or 'sweet spot' for professional women. Women under 40 in the study saw their experience and credibility dismissed because of their age, while women between 40 and 60 ― what the study considered middle age ― continued to experience gendered ageism, too."

Nonpartisan international research organization More in Common released a new report, "Attitudes and Experiences of Republicans in America: Identity, Belonging, and Priorities."

For this report, More in Common sought to understand Republicans' core beliefs. Here are some key findings:

• 67% of Republicans want a presidential candidate who prioritizes “fighting for conservative policies on the economy, immigration, and crime” versus “the fight against ‘woke’ left ideology” (23%).
• 61% of Republicans would rather have a candidate “who will work to heal the conflicts in our culture” versus one who will “fight to win the conflicts in our culture” (32%).
• 79% of Republicans are worried “political divisions will lead to an increase in violence and hatred.”
• 76% say Americans have more in common than what divides us.
• Of the most important qualities when considering who to vote for in the 2024 primary, the ones most frequently selected are:
  • Is honest and ethical (65%)
  • Stands up for what they believe in no matter the pressure (53%)
  • Will unite the country (50%)

READING | Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait? Alice Paul, Woodrow Wilson, and the Fight for the Right to Vote by Tina Cassidy: This August marks the 103rd anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and this book serves as a reminder of the challenges that suffragists faced in the fight for women's right to vote — including being arrested, beaten, and thrown in jail for protesting in front of Woodrow Wilson's White House. Learn more.

WATCHING | You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah on Netflix: This coming-of-age comedy-drama film follows two best friends whose falling out affects their bat mitzvah plans. The movie is now Adam Sandler's highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes. Learn more.

LISTENING TO | Honestly with Bari Weiss podcast: Journalist Bari Weiss hosts the podcast Honestly, in which she discusses everything from politics to education to grief. She's also interviewed several Republican presidential candidates, including Nikki Haley, the only woman running for president in 2024. Learn more.

EXCITED FOR | A new school year: The beginning of a new school year is exciting for many reasons, from new school supplies to new things to learn... to a break for parents! (One friend recently joked that the end of summer break is the true "most wonderful time of the year" for many parents.) Not to mention that this means more opportunities to get involved and help shape your community, whether it's the PTA or the school board!

• Maggie Kuhn, American social activist who founded the Gray Panthers and advocated nursing home reform (August 3)
• Lucy Stone, abolitionist, suffragist, and women's rights leader who was the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree (August 13)
• Margaret "Mardy" Murie, naturalist and conservationist who has been called the "Grandmother of the Conservation Movement" (August 15)

Visit our website to see the other women trailblazers and leaders who were born in August.

SEPTEMBER 1 | LBJ Women's Campaign School Cohort 5 application kick-off: Our Texas training partner LBJ Women's Campaign School starts accepting applications on September 1 for their Cohort 5! This program focuses on building the skills women need in the political arena, at all levels of leadership. Learn more.

SEPTEMBER 13 | Virginia Conservative Women's Coalition August Candidate Mentoring Circle: Join our Virginia training partner Virginia Conservative Women's Coalition on September 13 to network with right-of-center women running for any office in Virginia. This is an opportunity to introduce yourself and ask questions about issues you are facing in your race. VCWC Executive Board and Advisory Board members, former candidates, and special guests will be available! NOTE: This event is for Virginia candidates only. Learn more.

SEPTEMBER 18 | The Pocketbook Project presents Boards & Bagels: Join our Massachusetts training partner the Pocketbook Project for a conversation with former Massachusetts Boards and Commissions staff. Jordan Maynard, former Chief Secretary for the office of Governor Baker, and Georgia Polemenakos, former Senior Deputy Director for the office of Governor Baker, will discuss opportunities to serve in government without having to run for public office. 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.