We are looking for students who are passionate about increasing women's representation in public office and interested in nonprofit management, political science, or comms.
This is a paid position, and fellows will have the opportunity to build their networks and nonprofit skills through a variety of assignments and events.
If this interests YOU, apply today — and if it's not right for you but is for someone you know, please forward this to them and encourage them to apply!
Our #MomsOnTheTrail series last year was so successful that we continued the series this year! To celebrate Mother's Day, we elevated stories from mothers seeking or serving in public office. We spoke with the following women to hear about their experiences:
Louisiana legislative candidate Emily Chenevert, who's running to represent the state's District 66 and is a part of our training partner Louisiana Women Lead
Maryland State Senator Dawn Gile, a graduate of the LBJ Women's Campaign School, our Texas training partner
Louisiana legislative candidate Kellie Alford, who's running to represent the state's District 64 and is a part of our training partner Louisiana Women Lead
In case you missed our 2023 #WPLNSummit (or couldn't attend every session), we're working to recap each session with quotes and photos! Here are a few:
Our #WPLNSummit sponsor National Retail Federation also wrote a blog post about the "Future of Workforce" Panel, on the role that retail plays in diversifying the faces of public service. Read more.
Stay tuned for more #WPLNSummit posts about our panel on secure and sustainable energy solutions and our 3 skills building workshops!
Lastly, please join us in welcoming Katelyn Condrey to the WPLN team! Katelyn is our new Program Associate; prior to joining WPLN, she interned with Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.
Don't miss YOUR chance to join the WPLN team!
If you'd like to join our WPLN National Impact Council, apply now!
19th NEWS | "Women are almost half of lieutenant governors. Could it pave the way to higher office?": "Twenty-two of the nation’s 45 lieutenant governors are women, a development following the November midterm elections that has potential to create a pipeline of women leaders who could increasingly shape higher office. ... Most voters believe that women lieutenant governors are qualified to serve as governor, and the office can prepare these women for the role." Read more.
NEW YORK TIMES | "A Generation of Women Named for Connie Chung": "Connie Chung was trusted and respected — qualities that my mother herself had enjoyed in China. So when I picked my name, my mom readily acceded. What more could she hope for from her own Connie? What my family didn’t know was that a version of the same scenario was playing out in living rooms and hospitals across the country. Asian American families from the late 1970s through the mid-’90s — mostly Chinese, all new immigrants — had considered the futures of their newborn daughters and, inspired by one of the few familiar faces on their TVs, signed their own wishes, hopes and ambitions onto countless birth certificates in the form of a single name: Connie." Read more.
THE HILL | "Where’s the focus on women’s health beyond motherhood?": "Until the latter part of the 20th century, women’s healthcare was considered more as 'bikini' medicine than anything else. We would focus on breast and reproductive tissue, and the rest of the body seemed to disappear into a black hole, which resulted in significant inequities in healthcare and health. To this day, many are surprised to learn that heart disease is the leading killer for women and lung cancer incidence surpassed breast cancer in 1987." Read more.
19th NEWS | "Caregiving costs women nearly $300,000 in lost pay over their lifetimes, Department of Labor finds": "The cost of caregiving on women’s lifetime earnings now has a number: $295,000. ... The numbers are still very likely an undercount, the Women’s Bureau said. Because of limitations in the data, the research excludes care for adults with disabilities and caregiving costs unrelated to employment, such as the cost of day care and the emotional impact of caregiving." Read more.
In a new report titled "Politics of Parenthood: Representation in the 118th Congress,"Vote Mama Foundation examined parenthood in Congress — from how Congress approaches issues that affect parents, such as caregiving, to how parenting affects representation in Congress.
One of the findings? Only 37 members of Congress are women raising minor children.
Per 19th News, "Moms with minor children are grossly underrepresented in Congress, according to a new report that highlights the barriers to their involvement in federal office — and are far outnumbered by the number of fathers with minor children."
READING | A new analysis on the growing economic contributions of America’s natural gas and oil industry, by the American Petroleum Institute: According to a new report commissioned and released by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), America’s natural gas and oil industry supported 10.8 million jobs and contributed nearly $1.8 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2021.Learn more. (Bonus: Check out our blog post on our #WPLNSummit panel "Future of Workforce"!)
WATCHING | Air: Courting a Legend, starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Damian Young, and Viola Davis:Air tells the story of Nike employee Sonny Vaccaro pursuing a business deal with then-rookie player Michael Jordan; the end result of the deal was the wildly successful Air Jordan basketball shoe line. Michael Jordan himself asked that the character of his mother (played by Viola Davis) be expanded, as his mother played a significant role in the business deal. Learn more.
LISTENING TO | Brighter Futures Ahead, a podcast about foster care and child welfare:Hosted by New Mexico Child First Network, this new podcast features ideas to improve the childcare system; best practices; personal stories; and news updates. Learn more.
EXCITED FOR | Father's Day: Parents are their children's first teacher and role model, so we at WPLN are thankful for the fathers who empower their daughters and teach their sons that girls are equally strong and capable.
This month, we're celebrating the birthdays of the following women trailblazers and leaders:
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)
Amelia Bloomer, suffragist who was the first woman to own, edit, and publish a women's newspaper (May 27)
JUNE 13 | WPLN #TipsFromTheTrail with Ashley O’Rourke: Join WPLN on June 13 for a conversation with Ashley O’Rourke, Director of Analytics and Audience Insights at Majority Strategies and a member of the WPLN National Impact Council. Stay tuned for more details!
JULY 12 | Virginia Conservative Women's Coalition July Candidate Mentoring Circle:Join our Virginia training partner Virginia Conservative Women's Coalition on July 12 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 candidates only. 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.
Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) educates, organizes, and inspires women to run for elected office, obtain political appointments, and become more involved in the political process across the United States.
Women who believe in commonsense, pragmatic public policy solutions are often missing in political and policy dialogue. WPLN offers tools and opportunities designed to equip women with the knowledge and resources they need, including easily accessible online content and access to a community of like-minded people who want to support them as they step up, engage in the political process, and lead.
Stay up to date with WPLN:
Women's Public Leadership Network, 2461 Eisenhower Ave, 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314
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