Leadership Resources

Leadership Resources Intro

Use this map, made possible with support from the Hunt Alternatives Fund, to locate state-based and national resources for women interested in elected or appointed office or work on political campaigns. Click on a state to find leadership development and campaign training programs, political action committees, and organizations and programs committed to supporting and encouraging women in politics.

Need more ideas on how to get involved? Check out the Women's Definitive Guide to Getting Political by CAWP associate director Jean Sinzdak.

If you know of other organizations to add to our list or have updates to our information, please contact Chelsea Hill.

National Resources

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Program Name	State	Party	Program Description
The Vesta Roy Series	NH	Rep	The Vesta Roy Series is an expansion program of the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, founded in 1989 to encourage, mentor and...	The Vesta Roy Series is an expansion program of the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, founded in 1989 to encourage, mentor and prepare selected Republican women leaders to seek new levels of involvement in government and politics. The Series seeks to expand opportunities for New Hampshire women to participate in government, politics, and/or activism through monthly seminars. While the Series does not take positions on specific issues or candidates, it does encourage its participants to explore and develop their own philosophies and apply them to serve their communities.
The Women Officials' Network	MI	Nonpartisan	Founded in 1997, the Women Officials' Network (WON) is a non-partisan organization dedicated to women's leadership at all levels of government....	Founded in 1997, the Women Officials' Network (WON) is a non-partisan organization dedicated to women's leadership at all levels of government. Since 2000, WON has offered two workshops biennially to encourage women to run for office: "Me? Run for Office?" and "Money, Organization, and Media: The Nuts & Bolts of Running for Public Office." WON has expanded their campaign-training work by teaming up with organizations like the League of Women Voters and the Michigan Women's Commission to provide similar workshops for women. In addition to training women to run for office, WON gathers women public officials for events and networking, and hosts speakers and panels regarding women's role in government and leadership.
Training for Republican Women Arkansas Republican Party	AR	Rep	Beyond general campaign trainings offered by the Arkansas Republican Party, the women members of the Party typically offer campaign trainings...	Beyond general campaign trainings offered by the Arkansas Republican Party, the women members of the Party typically offer campaign trainings targeting women at least once a year. Information about those trainings is available through the state Republican Party.
Vote Run Lead	National		The mission of Vote Run Lead is to train barrier-breaking women to unleash their political power, run for office, and transform American democracy...	The mission of Vote Run Lead is to train barrier-breaking women to unleash their political power, run for office, and transform American democracy. Quite simply, we train women to run for office. And win.
VoteRunLead	National	Nonpartisan	VoteRunLead is a national, nonpartisan organization that unleashes the power of women leaders in democracy through training, technology and...	VoteRunLead is a national, nonpartisan organization that unleashes the power of women leaders in democracy through training, technology and community. By harnessing social networks as a new and powerful recruitment tool, creating an online platform to learn to run and lead, and conducting in-person trainings that build powerful networks, VoteRunLead will fuel women’s ambition for civic leadership and close the knowledge gap around politics for women from all classes, cultures and colors.
WCDC Candidate Trainings	MN	Nonpartisan	Founded in 1986, the Women Candidate Development Coalition (WCDC) is a coalition of nine major Minnesota women's/feminist organizations committed to...	Founded in 1986, the Women Candidate Development Coalition (WCDC) is a coalition of nine major Minnesota women's/feminist organizations committed to legal and economic rights for women and girls. WCDC's mission is to provide the education and assistance needed to motivate and empower progressive women, regardless of political party, to become actively involved in all aspects of Minnesota's politics and government, from voting to running for office. This assistance includes one-on-one and day-long campaign trainings for women candidates running for office at all levels of Minnesota government, school board through Congress.
Women Can Run! The Oasis Center for Women & Girls	FL	Nonpartisan	Women Can Run! is a nonpartisan program which encourages and trains women to run for public office. The purpose of the program is to promote women...	Women Can Run! is a nonpartisan program which encourages and trains women to run for public office. The purpose of the program is to promote women’s civic engagement and to diversify the ballot, with the long-term goal of increasing women’s representation in elected leadership. Women Can Run! is a member of the Ready to Run® National Network, a project of the Center for American Women and Politics.
Women Candidate Development Coalition Campaign Trainings	MN	Nonpartisan	Founded in 1986, the Women Candidate Development Coalition (WCDC) is a coalition of nine major Minnesota women's/feminist organizations committed...	Founded in 1986, the Women Candidate Development Coalition (WCDC) is a coalition of nine major Minnesota women's/feminist organizations committed to legal and economic rights for women and girls. WCDC's mission is to provide the education and assistance needed to motivate and empower progressive women, regardless of political party, to become actively involved in all aspects of Minnesota's politics and government, from voting to running for office. This assistance includes one-on-one and day-long campaign trainings for women candidates running for office at all levels of Minnesota government, school board through Congress.
Women Lead Arkansas Women Lead Arkansas, Inc	AR	Nonpartisan	Women Lead Arkansas provides non-partisan political training to encourage women to run for government leadership positions. The day-long program...	Women Lead Arkansas provides non-partisan political training to encourage women to run for government leadership positions. The day-long program targets women considering or recently deciding to run for political office, providing training and mentoring by campaign professionals, political women, and officeholders. Women Lead Arkansas is part of the Ready to Run® National Training Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ).
Women Worth Watching Women's Campaign Forum	National	Nonpartisan	Women Worth Watching is for Women's Campaign Forum's endorsed candidates. The program provides intimate feedback and assistance as women candidates...	Women Worth Watching is for Women's Campaign Forum's endorsed candidates. The program provides intimate feedback and assistance as women candidates work to build competitive campaigns. These women candidates are at the earliest stage of the WCF endorsement process and are working with the organization to continue to professionalize their campaign.
Women's Campaign Fund	National	Nonpartisan	The Women's Campaign Fund (WCF) is a non-partisan PAC whose mission is to provide women with the resources they need to win political office. WCF...	The Women's Campaign Fund (WCF) is a non-partisan PAC whose mission is to provide women with the resources they need to win political office. WCF endorses qualified women candidates running for all levels of government, from across the country, who pledge to support reproductive health choices for all. The endorsement process is competitive and based on a written application and an interview with WCFs Political Director and/or President/CEO. WCF Endorsed Candidates are featured in WCF member communications and on the WCF website, given access to WCFs special programs and network of donors, guidance from WCFs political team, and WCF PAC makes contributions where the support is most needed.
Women's Campaign Training New Jersey Democratic State Committee	NJ	Dem	The New Jersey Democratic State Committee runs three one-day training sessions in different regions of the state every June on the nuts and bolts of...	The New Jersey Democratic State Committee runs three one-day training sessions in different regions of the state every June on the nuts and bolts of campaigning. Women interested in participating should contact the program director for more information.
Women's Leadership Institute	UT		The Women’s Leadership Institute elevates the stature of women’s leadership by improving society’s understanding of the value of diversity in...	The Women’s Leadership Institute elevates the stature of women’s leadership by improving society’s understanding of the value of diversity in leadership roles, training women in leadership skills and conveying the positive impact women leaders have on economic development, vitality and the overall health of the state of Utah.
Women's Public Leadership Network	National	Rep	The mission of the Women's Public Leadership Network is to remove barriers and provide support for center- and right-leaning women seeking elected...	The mission of the Women's Public Leadership Network is to remove barriers and provide support for center- and right-leaning women seeking elected office and appointments, increase the number of women under consideration for these roles at every level of government, and establish a nationwide support system through a partner network, including state-based organizations.
WomenElect	NY	Nonpartisan	WomenElect is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that helps women who support reproductive rights build their financial and volunteer networks...	WomenElect is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that helps women who support reproductive rights build their financial and volunteer networks and fully understand the process of running for elected office. WomenElect offers extended, in-depth training and coaching process that focuses onteaching the unique skills required of candidates for elected office, including, but not limited to, fundraising, public speaking, image development, press/media relations, and leadership development. WomenElect has a network of chapters across New York State.
Young Women's Political Summit Running Start	National	Nonpartisan	Running Start offers a Young Women’s Political Summit to bring together women of all ages seeking inspiration and skills to enter the political...	Running Start offers a Young Women’s Political Summit to bring together women of all ages seeking inspiration and skills to enter the political arena. This weekend event will bring together young women from across the country to hone their leadership skills, learn more about running for office, and establish connections. The Summit will feature nationally acclaimed speakers and panelists who will highlight the work being done getting women into politics.

Leadership Resources Intro

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