Debbie Walsh

Debbie Walsh
Director
848-932-8799
walsh@eagleton.rutgers.edu

Debbie Walsh is director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. CAWP is nationally recognized as the leading source of scholarly research and current data about American women's political participation. Its mission is to promote greater knowledge and understanding about women's participation in politics and government and to enhance women's influence and leadership in public life. 

Walsh joined the Center staff in 1981 and became the director in 2001. She oversees CAWP's multi-faceted programs that include:

  • leadership and campaign training programs that empower women of all ages to participate fully in politics and public life;
  • research illuminating women's distinctive contributions, roles and experiences in politics and government, including the impact of women officeholders and women's routes to elective office; and
  • up-to-the-minute information and historical perspectives about women as candidates, public officials and voters.

Walsh is frequently called upon by the media for information and comment, and she speaks to a variety of audiences across the country on topics related to women's political participation. She is a member of the Circle of Advisors to Rachel's Network and was named one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century by Women’s eNews. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from SUNY Binghamton and her M.A. in political science from Rutgers, where she was an Eagleton Fellow.

CAWP's education and outreach programs translate research findings into action, addressing women's under-representation in political leadership with effective, innovative programs serving a variety of audiences.  As the world has watched Americans considering female candidates for the nation's highest offices, CAWP's over four decades of analyzing and interpreting women's participation in American politics have provided a foundation and context for the discussion. CAWP's latest research report, Poised to Run, provides an unprecedented look at how women reach state legislatures and how women's election to office has changed over time.

CAWP's newest initiative, Teach a Girl to Lead™,  is a unique resource that connects educators, leaders of youth organizations, parents, authors, librarians, women leaders and students in order to refocus the picture of public leadership to include women. The Teach a Girl to Lead™ web site offers one-stop shopping for anyone interested in expanding civic engagement and public leadership opportunities for girls and young women. Resources available on the web site help educate both boys and girls about the importance of civic participation and the significant roles women have played and continue to play in our democracy.

From Data to Diversity: The Demographics of New Jersey's Elected Officials

A report on the gender and ethnic diversity of New Jersey's elected public officials.

Report
Research
New Jersey
Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Congress
State Legislature
Local

Black Women in American Politics 2023

by Kelly Dittmar, Ph.D.

This report from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) and the Higher Heights Leadership Fund outlines the status of Black women in American politics as of June 2023. 

Report
Research
Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Federal Executive
Congress
Statewide Executive
State Legislature
Local

Women in Election 2022: Marking Midterm Progress

by Kelly Dittmar, Ph.D.

This report analyzes women’s electoral success in 2022, focusing on the numbers, and puts it into historical context—with special attention to how 2022 compared to the historic elections that preceded it.

Report
Research
CAWP Scholar
Candidates and Campaigns
Political Parties
Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Elective Office
Congress
Statewide Executive
State Legislature

Latinas in U.S. Politics 2022

by Kelly Dittmar, Ph.D.

This report from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) and Latinas Represent outlines the status of Latinas in American politics as of October 2022. 

Report
Research
Candidates and Campaigns
Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Elective Office
Federal Executive
Congress
Statewide Executive
State Legislature
Local

Do Women Seek “Women of Color” for Public Office? Exploring Women’s Support for Electing Women of Color" in Political Research Quarterly

By Yalidy Matos, Stacey Greene, Kira Sanbonmatsu

This article draws on theories of intersectionality and social identity to hypothesize about how different subgroups of women respond to the prospect of electing more "women of color" to Congress.

Article
Research
Candidates and Campaigns
Gender and Race/Ethnicity
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