Women's Political Power Map

Resources across the country for women interested in running for office, working on political campaigns, or holding appointive office. 

Map of the United States.

Locate state-based and national resources for women interested in elected or appointed office or work on political campaigns. 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 Cai Barias.

Program State(s) Party
Leadership Delaware

Established in 2008, Leadership Delaware, Inc. recruits and mentors young Delawareans (aged 25-40) who have the capacity, desire and courage to seek and excel at community, non-profit, political, professional and corporate leadership within the state. Selected individuals attend 10 monthly sessions (2 days each) throughout the state, where they are trained in public speaking, critical thinking skills and leadership. Sessions also develop leadership skills like networking, communicating, decision making and mediating.

Delaware Nonpartisan
Leadership Denver

Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation

Leadership Denver is an 11-month leadership program that brings together brings together approximately 55 community leaders to discuss and learn about the challenges facing the Denver Metro area.  Through monthly sessions and events, selected class members are taught by area experts and leaders in the public and private sectors for the purpose of expanding their commitment to voluntary civic responsibility. The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation also offers Impact Denver for emerging community leaders, a Leadership Exchange for cross-city coalitions, and Legacy Denver for established community leaders.

Colorado Nonpartisan
Leadership Detroit

Detroit Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Detroit gives emerging and existing leaders a forum for discussion and problem-solving on how they can lead the region to success. Approximately 65 individuals participate annually in the program from business, organized labor, government, education, media, civic groups, health services and community organizations, backed by the corporations or organizations they represent. Participants attend 12 day-long sessions over 9 months, where they are educated about the issues and challenges facing Southeast Michigan and are prepared to take leadership roles in community -- from running for elected office to joining advisory boards and panels.

Michigan Nonpartisan
Leadership El Paso

Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce

Leadership El Paso is a year-long program educating participants about key issues facing El Paso. Forty participants are selected to participate in a minimum of eight day-long sessions and a two-day retreat where area leaders and experts discuss topics like economic development , the military, healthcare, social services and quality of life.

Texas Nonpartisan
Leadership Florida

Founded in 1982, Leadership Florida is a non-partisan organization addressing statewide topics of concern and encouraging interaction among the states leadership. Each year, participants are chosen for an eight-month Annual Class Program, where they learn about the issues most important to Florida and develop skills to prepare them for leadership roles in the public and private sectors. Program sessions are held in six different Florida cities. Leadership Florida also offers leadership programs for young people, executives, and officeholders.

Florida Nonpartisan
Leadership Fort Wayne

Founded in 1983, Leadership Fort Wayne is a nine-month program that trains individuals to positively affect the community through servant leadership. A minimum of 40 participants are selected to participate in nine monthly full-day sessions where area leaders and experts provide information about the community and its history, institutions, socio-economic composition, and current issues. Programs are held in different areas throughout the city.

Indiana Nonpartisan
Leadership Fort Worth

Founded in 1972, Leadership Fort Worth is a 10-month training effort to educate area professionals about the issues facing Fort Worth and to develop their individual leadership skills. In preparing approximately 50 experienced civic volunteer leaders from various sectors to become community trustees, the once-monthly program emphasizes topics like education, health, government, quality of life, economic development, criminal justice, and human services. In addition to the Leadership Class, Leadership Fort Worth offers Fort Worth Leading Edge, a six-month leadership development program that provides adults in their mid-20s to early 30s an opportunity to explore the community from many different perspectives.

Texas Nonpartisan
Leadership Garland

Garland Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Garland is a ten-month program offered by the Garland Chamber of Commerce to provide corporate leadership training; to motivate and encourage civic leaders; and to develop personal leadership characteristics and skills within individuals. Participants are introduced to state, county, city officials, school board trustees, administrators, community leaders, community boards and commissions through once-monthly full-day sessions and program events.  Monthly sessions cover topics including leadership skills, community trusteeship, city knowledge, economic development, education, county knowledge, and state government.

Texas Nonpartisan
Leadership Georgia

Founded in 1971, Leadership Georgias primary purpose is to identify, train, and energize a network of emerging young leaders whose ages typically range from 25 to 45. Approximately 60 participants are selected annually to visit five Georgia communities throughout the year for two-day meetings meant to educate them about important issues affecting the state and prepare them for leadership roles in the states public and private sectors.

Georgia Nonpartisan
Leadership Greater Chicago

Leadership Institute

Established in 1985, Leadership Greater Chicago is a ten-month program for high-potential people in greater Chicago's companies, nonprofit organizations and government. Thirty-five Fellows are chosen annually to study key challenges facing the Chicago region while making lifelong connections with diverse leaders that help them advance professionally and in civic affairs. Fellows are typically sponsored and financially supported by their employers.

Illinois Nonpartisan
Leadership Greater Washington

Established in 1986, Leadership Greater Washington unites regional leaders, organizations, and Chambers of Commerce to connect and prepare regional leaders to address regional challenges.  Approximately 55 applicants are selected in each program year to attend once-monthly sessions on regional issues including the arts, education, economic development, affordable housing, public safety, inclusiveness and equity, health, and leadership.  Participants also attend membership events and retreats.

District of Columbia Nonpartisan
Leadership Greensboro

Leadership Greensboro is a nine-month program that trains community leaders on leadership issues in the context of business, education, community and civic organizations, government and neighborhoods. Forty to 45 applicants are selected each year to participate in once-monthly seminars on issues important to the community, in addition to engaging in community service projects with fellow class members.

North Carolina Nonpartisan
Leadership Henderson

Henderson Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Henderson is an eight-month program devoted to educating and empowering civic-minded professionals with a goal of building and maintaining a strong network of effective community leaders. Participants learn through interactive experiences involving simulations, panel discussions with experts and established community leaders, plus exclusive tours on location with industry leaders in areas such as Government, Gaming, Tourism, Business, Industry, Health, Education and Social Services that impact the residents and businesses of Henderson. Full-day classes are held once a month at various locations throughout the community.

Nevada Nonpartisan
Leadership Houston

Founded in 1980, Leadership Houston provides a 10-month leadership development program that meets monthly to educate, energize, and activate civic leaders in diverse sectors of Houston. Each year, fifty selected class members are educated about the city of Houston, meeting leaders in areas such as the economy, social justice, arts, healthcare, quality of place, and more. They are prepared to take on leadership roles throughout the city upon program graduation.

Texas Nonpartisan
Leadership Idaho Agriculture

Leadership Idaho Agriculture provides enhanced skills for future leaders in agriculture, rural communities, agribusiness and governmental agencies.  Twenty to 30 participants attend a one-week session each month for four months to build personal leadership and communication skills through tours, guest speakers, panel discussions and group interaction.  Sessions are held at four locations throughout the state.

Idaho Nonpartisan
Leadership Illinois

Established in 1988, Leadership Illinois is a professional network of women leaders from throughout the state. Class members participate in three multi-day conferences throughout the year-long program that focus on government, the individual, and the marketplace. Candidates for Leadership Illinois must demonstrate leadership achievements in the private, public or volunteer sectors of their communities.

Illinois Nonpartisan
Leadership Iowa

Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI)

Founded in 1982, Leadership Iowa is an issues-awareness program promoting leadership within the state. Through monthly two-day sessions over a nine-month period, selected participants explore needs and opportunities within the state while taking advantage of networking opportunities and enhancing civic engagement. Participants come from both the private and public sectors and go on to take leadership roles in business, communities, and government.

Iowa Nonpartisan
Leadership Jacksonville

Leadership Jacksonville is a year-long program that explores the dynamics of an urban society, analyzes major areas of community concern, facilitates the development of leadership capacities and promotes a network of community trustees. Approximately 50 leaders from throughout the community are selected to participate in nine day-long programs and two retreats throughout the year, coming from and contributing to public and private sectors in the Jacksonville community.

Florida Nonpartisan
Leadership Kansas

Kansas Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Kansas is a statewide leadership program designed to enhance and motivate future leaders from various Kansas communities. Forty individuals are selected annually to participate in three-day information training sessions in six different Kansas communities. Session topics include:/ -- business/ -- education/ -- agriculture/ -- public policy/ -- societal health and development/ -- economics/ -- government/ -- leadership development. Graduates are given the opportunity to participate in numerous alumni social and educational activities as well as opportunities to help shape future Leadership Kansas programs.

Kansas Nonpartisan
Leadership Kentucky

Established in 1984, Leadership Kentucky encourages community leadership by educating participants on how the states issues are interconnected and by forging new relationships among community and regional leaders. Selected applicants learn about the state of Kentucky and its challenges through a series of seven monthly, two-day sessions, held in various locations in the state.

Kentucky Nonpartisan