More women than ever before are running for political office, running campaigns and supporting women candidates.
This is exciting and in relative terms we’re making progress. However, we still have large leadership gaps to close, especially for women of color, lesbian, and trans women. Here in Washington State, despite having one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country, women aren’t equally represented in elected or appointed positions.
Just 37 percent of Washington State legislature seats are held by women, and only 5 percent by women of color.
Four years ago Women’s Funding Alliance set a goal to increase the number of young women who see themselves as leaders and have access to inspirational, effective, non-partisan civic leadership training.
Working with the Center for American Women and Politics, we adapted nationally recognized programming for campuses and communities throughout Washington State.
After engaging nearly 400 young women on five college campuses in the past three years to pilot and refine our NEW Leadership and Campus NEW Leadership trainings, we’re excited to grow this effort.
Through interactive workshops, panel discussions and opportunities to reflect NEW Leadership trainings help young women connect their own lived experience to politics, introduce them to seasoned women leaders, and walk them through creating their own leadership action plan around an issues that is motivating them. The experience is eye-opening and inspiring.
This school year we are partnering with campuses throughout the state including: Central, Eastern and Western Washington Universities; Everett, Wenatchee Valley and Yakima Valley Community Colleges; Heritage University and Whitman College; and Washington State University – Spokane
Your gift of $100 will send one young woman to a day of civic leadership training.
She’ll finish this experience motivated to get involved and equipped with new skills to be effective in political and community leadership.
To inspire girls to raise their hands, speak up and lead we are partnering with women in elected office to share Kelly DiPucchio and LeUyen Pham’s book, Grace for President, with public libraries and schools throughout Washington State.
When Grace's third grade teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate in the school's mock election! Grace for President is a heartwarming story that every child should have a chance to experience.
Your gift of $25 will send one copy of Grace for President to a woman in elected office who will share it with her community.
Thanks to you, we’ll ignite the next generation of women and girls ready to lead!
