Dear friend, 

Have you heard... WPLN is celebrating a big birthday! 2024 marks our fifth year of providing networking and training opportunities to women across the U.S. We are excited to build on our success to-date and grow with each of you over the next five years! 

We kicked off 2024 with a new series, How to Lead at the Local Level, bringing together women who have been elected to local office to discuss topics like coalition building, stress management, digital media, constituent services, and Robert's Rules of Order. Thank you to our featured speakers and attendees for making this series a success! 

As we look ahead to the rest of this new year, we want to see where you are on your journey! Please take a moment to update some key information for us so we can be sure to deliver the most relevant content and opportunities to you. And please consider chipping in to support our programs in 2024 and beyond. 

See you soon,

Maureen

WPLN Director of Development and External Affairs

There are very few resources to help newly elected women in local office; sometimes there aren't even any other women serving alongside or before them to help chart the way. To help fill in those gaps, WPLN hosts events and trainings that prioritize mentorship and networking, including two this month:

This month, WPLN hosted a 2-part virtual series featuring experts on how to be effective in public office. Stay tuned for our recap blog and supplemental materials.

Since networking is key for any woman, no matter the industry, Big Fish Senior Talent Advisor Angel Fimbres Barcelo joined WPLN to discuss how to network better. 

Our 2024 #WPLNSummit is 5 months away! Join us in Denver, Colorado, in June to #ElevateYourLeadership by hearing from women in office, building your skills, and networking with women across the country. Prices increase in March, so don't wait to grab your tickets!

Congratulations to the winner of our second Summit giveaway, Victoria Snitsar Churchill. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads!) for your chance to win free tickets!

And congratulations to WPLN Founder and President Larissa Martinez, who's been selected as one of 60 Scholars who will form the Presidential Leadership Scholars’ (PLS) ninth class! Larissa says:

“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to learn from and alongside incredible leaders. Across our country, there are women whose voices deserve to be heard where decisions are being made, and I’m eager to apply what I’ll learn to continue to empower these women to serve their communities.”

NBC NEWS | "From Coretta Scott King to Ella Baker: These women's ideas were key to MLK's work": "As the country observes what would have been King's 92nd year, here are seven women who influenced him in monumental ways." Read more.

19th NEWS | "2024 begins with a spate of ‘disturbing’ threats, many against women officials": "Threats of violence, particularly threats against women officials, have risen since 2020." Read more.

NEW YORK TIMES | "A new Republican mom wants to change House rules for postpartum voting": "'You’re being forced to choose between your career and having a family,' she said. 'We’re in way too much of a tech age for that even to be acceptable.'" Read more.

Should we keep using terms like "female founder" and "female CEO" — instead of simply "founder" and "CEO"? Forbes argues that we should, and here's why:

Terms such as “female founder” or “female CEO” can be inhibiting, empowering, or controversial, depending on the woman asked. Noting gender only for women, for example, may reinforce the historic way of thinking in which founders and CEOs are male: any deviation from that gender norm must be specified. The deviator herself, meanwhile, may be identified not necessarily for her accomplishments but for her gender.

At the same time, including her gender may also show the true extent of her accomplishments. Distinguishing founders and CEOs as “female” gives context to these leaders, the challenges they face, and the successes they’ve reached, though they’ve had to overcome not one but two obstacles: being leaders and being women in spaces in which they are still far from the status quo.

Read more.

Don't Wait! VIP tickets are limited...

READING | Unstoppable!: My Journey from World Champion to Athlete A to 8-Time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion and Beyond, by Maggie Nichols: Maggie Nichols' memoir allows the 26-year-old American gymnast to tell her story in her own words, from her experience as an elite gymnast, to suffering sexual abuse by USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar, to reclaiming her power. Learn more.

WATCHING | Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV+: This TV miniseries stars Brie Larson as a 1960s chemist who applies her background in chemistry to her cooking show. Learn more.

LISTENING TO | American Potential, a podcast by Americans for Prosperity: In the January 3 episode "Revolutionizing Education: The Liberty Light Academy Story," podcast host Jeff Crank speaks with three women who founded a hybrid school to blend homeschooling with in-person learning. Learn more.

EXCITED FOR | WPLN's Galentine's Day swag: Nothing better than ladies celebrating ladies, and we're planning to release some new products to celebrate the occasion. Stay tuned!

• JANUARY 8, 1868 | Women's rights leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Parker Pillsbury published the first edition of The Revolution, a weekly newspaper focused on women's rights.
• JANUARY 10, 1917 | A group of suffragists known as the Silent Sentinels began picketing in front of the White House, in a public show of protest against President Woodrow Wilson's lack of support for women's suffrage.
• JANUARY 5, 1925 | Nellie Tayloe Ross was sworn in as governor of Wyoming. She was the first woman governor in the United States and remains the only woman to have served as governor of Wyoming to this day.

Sara Marie Ridley

Majority Strategies

Meet Sara Marie Ridley, State Strategist at Majority Strategies and a member of WPLN's National Impact Council! Sara Marie has lent her expertise at WPLN events such as our How to Lead in Local Office event last week. Learn more about Sara Marie and apply to our Impact Council in 2024. You can also meet Sara Marie at our National Summit in June!

FEBRUARY 15 | Nevada Women's Leadership Alliance training on "How to Apply for Boards, Commissions, and Councils": Our Nevada training partner Nevada Women's Leadership Alliance is hosting a follow-up training class which will provide behind-the-scenes advice and tips on joining State, County, and City councils, commissions, and boards. Learn more.

FEBRUARY 19 | LBJ Women's Campaign School 2024 Application Deadline — Extended! Are you ready to lead? Our Texas training partner, the LBJ Women's Campaign School, trains women to run for office or manage campaigns regardless of political party affiliation. Apply now to the LBJ Women’s Campaign School and learn how to run for office, manage campaigns, and create change in your community.

MARCH 6-8 | Montana Women in Business Summit: The program will cover topics including networking, leadership development, financial well-being, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, advocacy, philanthropy, and more. WPLN's Larissa Martinez will be hosting a panel titled “From Boardroom to Ballot: Women Leaders Seeking Public Service.” Learn more. 

MARCH 8 | Colorado Women's Day: Colorado Women's Day is an opportunity for women to become informed on different issues, learn about their own physical and mental health, and celebrate achievements throughout the year. The event features informative seminars and workshops and a Women's Day Marketplace. WPLN's Maureen McInerney will lead a workshop on building personal and political capital. Learn more. 

JUNE 20-22 | WPLN 2024 #WPLNSummit: Tickets are now available for our #WPLNSummit in Denver, Colorado! Join us at our 2024 #WPLNSummit in Denver!

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.