Dear friend, 

As the 2026 primary season draws to a close, it's brought an exciting wave of firsts and milestones for women in politics and government.

Across the country, women are breaking records, shattering glass ceilings, and proving once again that there is no limit to what's possible when women step up:

• For the first time in U.S. history, a state (Minnesota) has all-woman matchups for both governor and U.S. Senate at the same time.

• Minnesota is now virtually guaranteed to elect its first woman governor; Tennessee will almost certainly elect its first woman governor; and Georgia could elect its first woman governor.

• Louisiana may elect its first Republican woman to the U.S. Senate.

These moments are worth celebrating — not only for the doors being opened today but also for the women and girls who will see themselves represented in leadership and know that they belong there, too.

These moments also remind us that there is will work to be done — there are still glass ceilings intact across the country and decision-making tables that lack women. That's why we're adding new training to our free online programs and why we encourage women to get involved at every level of government, including your school board. Read more below to learn more!

Onward,

Larissa

WPLN Founder and President

A New School Year, a New Opportunity to Lead!

If you have a child in school, you're likely already bringing leadership, advocacy, and community-building skills to things like running the school fundraising events, chaperoning field trips, or organizing the PTA. But why stop there?

In our latest blog post, 2025-2026 WPLN Fellow Valerie Hoyos explains why more moms should run for their local school boards!

New Courses on Our Training Platform—LIVE NOW!

More than a century ago, the 19th Amendment marked a major milestone in expanding women’s political participation in America. Today, WPLN continues that legacy by helping women not only participate—but prepare to run, lead, and serve.

We’re excited to announce that new and updated courses are now LIVE on WPLN’s free online training platform.

From deciding whether to run and building a strong campaign to connecting with voters, communicating your message, and preparing to govern, our expanded curriculum offers practical tools for every stage of your leadership journey.

Every course is 100% free and self-paced. Explore what's new and start learning today!

The final Tips from the Trail episode from WPLN's 2026 National Summit is out!

What does it take to win a competitive campaign when your opponent raises three times as much money and earns nearly every endorsement?

Kentucky State Representative Vanessa Grossl joins this episode of Tips From The Trail, recorded at WPLN’s 2026 National Summit in Philadelphia, to discuss how grassroots organizing, community relationships, and an authentic message helped her overcome the odds.

Tune in to hear the personal — including how her mother inspired her to run — and the professional — like practical insights for fundraising, mentorship, and bipartisan collaboration!

Laura Maristany

Founder of Katch Skills

Laura Maristany is an entrepreneur and strategist with more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology, talent, and economic growth. She served in leadership roles at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the Democracy Fund before launching her tech company Katch Skills and consulting firm Prospera Insights. She currently serves as WPLN’s Programs & Engagement Advisor.

... A record 590 women have filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterms!

According to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), women have set a new record this election cycle:

In the 2026 midterms, 590 women have filed to run for House seats, surpassing the record of 583, set in 2020 and met again in 2022. This also far exceeds the 467 women who ran for House in the most recent election cycle in 2024.

However, there's still room for improvement, per CAWP:

• "This new record is driven in large part by a considerable increase in the number of Democratic women running."
• "Because the number of Democratic men running for the U.S. House is also up from 2024 to 2026, women are still just over one-third (33.6%) of all Democratic House candidates."
• "The increase in House candidates since 2024 is much smaller for Republicans, and women are just 19.1% of Republicans running this year."

Read more.

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

• For the woman who enjoys deep dives into crosstabs, the polling firm Median Strategies recently shut down after revealing it had faked polling in elections for the L.A. mayor and Wisconsin governor.
• For the woman who misses the days when Facebook required a college email address, the social media giant Meta was recently ordered to pay another $567 million "for its failure to warn the public about dangers its platforms posed to children."
• For the woman who wants to Remember the Ladies, check out our monthly feature on key moments in women's representation and rights in the past during the month of August.

ICYMI: The final special episode of the Tips from the Trail podcast! This special episode was recorded at WPLN’s 2026 National Summit in Philadelphia and features Kentucky State Representative Vanessa Grossl. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or Spotify and never miss an episode!

SEPTEMBER 9 | Style Across the Aisle: Join Gotham Rising for a bipartisan fashion runway show in NYC, where public officials model looks by local designers!

SEPTEMBER 30 | Applications for LBJ Women's Campaign School's Cohort 8 are due! To learn more about the LBJ WCS program, application process, and requirements, visit the LBJ WCS website.

NOVEMBER 12 and 13 | Ellevate LA's 2026 Leadership and Policy Summit: Save the date for Ellevate Louisiana's 2-day 2026 Summit in New Orleans!

DECEMBER 3 | Save the date for WPLN's exclusive Leadership Holiday Reception in Washington, D.C.!

And stay tuned for more events with Google and more WPLN Lead in Style events!

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.