Dear friend, 

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's easy to get caught up in consumerism at this time of year. So I'm glad that the holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving, a day to focus specifically on gratitude.

Studies show that gratitude is good for both our mental and physical health. That's one reason WPLN conducts a #GratitudeCampaign this month every year, to ensure we're intentional about finding reasons to be grateful.

Please join WPLN in celebrating gratitude:

1. Share on social media a snapshot of something you're grateful for — whether it's someone, something, or a favorite memory.
2. Use the hashtag #GratitudeCampaign.
3. Tag @WPLNetwork so we can share your responses.

Doing so will enter you for the chance to win WPLN swag for free!

My pick for our #GratitudeCampaign this year is all the events we held with women leaders in 2023 — from the #WPLNSummit in April, to our #WomenInLeadership reception in October, to our training events all over the country.

And WPLN recently spotlighted Sarah Josepha Hale, the "Mother of Thanksgiving" who campaigned for a national Thanksgiving Day. Her efforts were instrumental in President Abraham Lincoln's decision to establish Thanksgiving as a national annual celebration.

Sarah's story, as well as the stories of the women I met this year, serve as reminders of the power of women's voices and the role we can play in shaping our nation.

If you want to support WPLN's efforts to empower women to lead, please donate to WPLN for #GivingTuesday today! 

Onward,

Larissa

WPLN Founder and President

If you sign up for a $25+ monthly recurring donation this week, you'll receive a special gift!

WPLN is delighted to announce the newest members of our National Impact Council:

• JoAnna Mendoza (of Poderoza Strategies and Arizona Center for Economic Progress)
• Maralyn Beck (Founder & Executive Director of New Mexico Child First Network)
• Kristina Irwin (former CA state senate candidate and realtor at Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills)

WPLN President Larissa Martinez joined the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) for a virtual conversation about CAWP’s new report, "The Donor Gap: Raising Women’s Political Voices." The panel also included the following women:

• CAWP report author Kira Sanbonmatsu
• Higher Heights Co-Founder Kimberly Peeler-Allen
• The 19th* Editor-at-Large Errin Haines as moderator

As part of WPLN's celebrations for National Hispanic Heritage Month, WPLN featured Laura Maristany, Founder and CEO of Prospera Insights, for our #TipsFromTheTrail series. 2023-2024 WPLN Fellow Emma Ruskamp chatted with Laura on mentorship, creating a strong network, overcoming setbacks, and transforming your community.

Now that Election Day has passed, are you looking for ways to stay involved in your community in addition to voting in elections? Emma covered 5 ways to elevate your voice beyond the ballot box!

ABC NEWS | "Barbie introduces Wilma Mankiller doll, honoring Cherokee Nation's 1st female principal chief": "Barbie is honoring Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to serve as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, with a new doll this November, which is also National Native American Heritage Month. ... Mankiller was also recognized last year on a U.S. quarter, part of the U.S. Mint's American Women Quarters Program." Read more.

FORBES | "Female role models offer ambitious women wisdom, advice, and inspiration to succeed": "With only a small percentage of female leaders, women entering the workforce have limited ability to envision what it takes to be a strong female leader. Female leaders can not only serve as role models, but mentors and advisors. Yet, many women lack role models to inspire and help them see what it takes to reach leadership positions." Read more.

NBC NEWS | "'Too smart to want the job': Why no women are running for speaker of the House": "As Republicans remain stalled on picking the next House speaker, nearly a dozen men have looked in the mirror and — despite little to no name recognition or the possibility of getting the job — imagined themselves as the most powerful person in the House. Zero women within the GOP’s ranks have moved to do the same." Read more.

In late September, Pew Research Center released new insights into how the public viewed women in politics and the obstacles that face such women.

One new finding?

"Today, 53% of Americans say there are too few women in high political offices in the United States. This is down from 59% in 2018."

And according to Pew, 54% of Americans believe there are fewer women than men in high political offices because women have to do more to prove themselves than men:

READING | U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies, by Diana B Carlin, Anita B McBride, and Nancy Kegan Smith: The U.S. has had 43 official first ladies, with an additional 11 serving in an unofficial capacity. Although first ladies themselves aren't elected, they still help to influence the country. This book examines the role of the first lady and how it's evolved throughout history.

WATCHING | Nyad on Netflix: Nyad stars Annette Bening as Diana Nyad, an American swimmer trying to swim more than 100 miles from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. However, controversy surrounds Diana's achievement.

LISTENING TO | Britney Spears' memoir The Woman in Me, narrated by Michelle Williams: It's not just women in politics who face unfair coverage — and Britney Spears' memoir highlights how damaging it is when society insists women be put into boxes. The audiobook version is narrated by actress Michelle Williams, and she'll likely be nominated for a Grammy Award (in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category) — Variety calls the narration her "latest brilliant performance."

EXCITED FOR | #GivingTuesday: Your support has ripple effects in diverse communities across the country! Every financial gift we receive helps provide training and educational resources to women who are interested in leading but need help getting started. And if you sign up for a $25+ monthly recurring donation this week, you'll receive a special gift!

• Elizabeth Cady Stanton, suffragist and one of the most prominent leaders of the women's rights movement (November 12)
• Condoleezza Rice, professor and diplomat who was the first woman to serve as National Security Advisor, the second woman Secretary of State, and the first Black woman Secretary of State (November 14)
• Mary Edwards Walker, prisoner of war and civilian Army surgeon who became the first (and only) woman to receive the Medal of Honor for her efforts during the Civil War (November 26)
• Sarah Grimké, abolitionist and suffragist (November 26)
• Nellie Tayloe Ross, politician and the first (and only) woman to have served as governor of Wyoming (November 29)

Learn the other women trailblazers and leaders who were born in November.

DECEMBER 1 | LBJ Women's Campaign School 2024 Cohort Priority Funding Deadline: Our Texas training partner, the LBJ Women's Campaign School, trains women to run for office or manage campaigns regardless of political party affiliation. Round one, priority funding applications are due this Friday, 12/1!

DECEMBER 5-6 | Cybersecurity Action Pack: Implementing Best Practices to Secure Your Campaign: Defending Digital Campaigns (DDC) is hosting a virtual cybersecurity basics session for 2024 campaigns to learn how to get and use cybersecurity products. Democratic campaigns should register HERE for 12/5, and Republican campaigns should register HERE for 12/6. 

DECEMBER 7 | Women Officeholders Roundtable: The next installment will feature Lou Nave and Ryan Yates from the American Farm Bureau Federation and discuss the impact of the upcoming federal Farm Bill and what to expect as a state or local officeholder. This event is free for you or a member of your staff to attend but registration is required!

JUNE 20-22, 2024 | 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.