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 New York

Coro New York Leadership Center

Leadership New York (LNY) is a civic leadership development program run by Coro for mid-career professionals from diverse backgrounds, sectors and perspectives.  During monthly weekday sessions, known as Issue Days, participants explore New York Citys current policy challenges through site visits, small group interviews, panel discussions, and other activities across the five boroughs. Topics include:/  -- arts and culture/ -- criminal justice and public safety/ -- economic development and housing/ -- education/ -- public finance/ -- international and city media/ -- public health and social services.  In addition to LNY, Coro provides annual leadership programs for New York City high school students, early and mid-career professionals, and individuals working with immigrant communities in New York City.

New York Nonpartisan
Leadership Newark

Leadership Newark is a 2-year fellowship program for qualified professionals committed to the Greater Newark community. The program provides a forum for emerging leaders to debate and discuss public policy issues as they move towards developing solutions and potential programs which could better the community. In year one, fellows learn about issues facing the community at group dinners and receive skills training at events and retreats. In year two, fellows put their learning to work through a leadership project.

New Jersey Nonpartisan
Leadership North Carolina

Leadership North Carolina informs, develops and engages committed leaders by broadening their understanding of and involvement in issues and opportunities facing the state. The program is aimed at people who have demonstrated community and professional leadership experiences. Approximately 50 leaders participate in six monthly, two-day sessions throughout the state that focus on issues in the topical areas of:/ -- economic development/ -- education/ -- environment/ -- government/politics/ -- health/human services. Participants benefit from discussions with top officials of the state, professionals in the areas, field trips and experiential activities.

North Carolina Nonpartisan
Leadership Ohio

Established in 1992, Leadership Ohio brings together leaders from multiple disciplines in each of the 13 regions of Ohio to expose them to dialogue and education directed toward solutions on topics paramount to leading Ohio. Selected individuals participate in a series of eight two-day sessions in different host cities designed to examine the conditions and challenges that face the state. Sessions include educational excursions, panel discussions, presentations, experiences and dialogue with fellow participants.

Ohio Nonpartisan
Leadership Oklahoma

Established in 1986, Leadership Oklahoma is an annual program bringing together 50 of the state's most outstanding leaders for ten issues-oriented sessions that address critical challenges facing the state. Participants are selected from across the state and from various sectors, and each person must demonstrate a dedication to Oklahoma's progress and the ability to exercise leadership in recognizing and resolving issues of statewide significance.

Oklahoma Nonpartisan
Leadership Oklahoma City

Leadership Oklahoma City is an organization dedicated to increasing the number and skills of community leaders in the Oklahoma City region. Through its programming, the organization educates individuals about community needs and opportunities, trains them in skills necessary for community leadership, and provides networking opportunities. Leadership Oklahoma City's Signature Program is a 10-month-long series of once-monthly day-long classes, each focusing on a different community issue. Up to 45 class members are selected annually.

Oklahoma Nonpartisan
Leadership Omaha

Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Omaha is a program of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce emphasizing community leadership. Forty-three to 48 participants are selected annually to participate in the 10-month program, which focuses on community trusteeship, leadership styles, and community awareness. Participants attend monthly seminars with area experts and leaders in the public and private sectors and are encouraged to take part in boardsmanship training in the year following graduation.

Nebraska Nonpartisan
Leadership Philadelphia

Leadership Institute

The Core Program consists of eleven day-long seminar sessions from September through June. Meetings generally consist of a morning listening to local leaders sharing the inside story on current issues, followed by an afternoon of leadership or trustee skills development. Participants receive individual skills development plans. Each meeting and speaker is evaluated to ensure that LEADERSHIP is meeting the group's needs. Outdoor team-building experiences, board observations and police ride-alongs enrich the seminar experience.

Pennsylvania Nonpartisan
Leadership Pittsburgh

Leadership Pittsburgh (LP) is a nine-month program for established senior leaders from public and private sectors to develop their skills and knowledge to lead within the community.  From September through June, 50 selected participants attend day-long monthly seminars that introduce members to issues and challenges facing the community, while offering tools and experiences for individual and group leadership development.  

Pennsylvania Nonpartisan
Leadership Plano

Established in 1983, Leadership Plano is a nine-month community leadership development program designed to increase individual and community leadership skills. Each year, selected participants attend a two-day beginning retreat that focuses on individual leadership styles and techniques, in addition to eight monthly day-long sessions examining specific aspects of the community such as education, area government, local business and economic development, health and human services, the criminal justice system, and the arts.

Texas Nonpartisan
Leadership Portland

Portland Business Alliance

Leadership Portland is a program designed to develop community leaders. Participants attend eight monthly program days, in addition to an opening retreat and graduation, where they are educated on a wide array of critical issues affecting Portland and trained in leadership skills necessary to be successful in professional and civic life.  By the end of the program participants develop an integrated overview of how city and state educational, social service, and business systems operate.

Oregon Nonpartisan
Leadership Raleigh

Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Raleigh is a nine-month program where participants are educated on community issues, develop leadership skills, and are exposed to community involvement opportunities.  Forty-five to 50 participants are selected annually to meet once-monthly on issues like quality of life, law enforcement/public safety, human needs, local economy, local/state government, education, health services, and media.

North Carolina Nonpartisan
Leadership Rhode Island

Founded in 1981, Leadership Rhode Island educates leaders in multiple sectors on the critical issues facing Rhode Island. Fifty individuals are chosen annually to participate in a 10-month educational program that consists of an overnight retreat, nine monthly daylong sessions, and a small-group project.
Session days typically include topics like healthcare, education, government, media, economic development, criminal justice, the environment, and the arts.

Rhode Island Nonpartisan
Leadership Rochester

Founded in 1990, Leadership Rochester is a nine-month program to provide established and emerging leaders with knowledge and access to resources, enabling them to understand and respond to the quality of life challenges facing the Greater Rochester region. Participants are chosen annually to pattend an opening retreat in September and once-montly sessions through May where class members dissect a topic integral to the community at large. Topics range from education, healthcare, criminal justice to economic development.

New York Nonpartisan
Leadership San Antonio

Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

Leadership San Antonio is a jointly sponsored program of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This annual program educates approximately fifty existing and emerging leaders who live and work in the San Antonio metropolitan area about the promises and challenges facing their community.  Class members participate in monthly sessions and go on to take active roles within the community's public and private sectors. 

Texas Nonpartisan
Leadership San Francisco

Leadership Institute

Leadership San Francisco (LSF) is an organization dedicated to educating and developing community trustees who will make significant contributions to strengthen and transform our community.The LSF program develops future community leaders who are both knowledgeable about the city and concerned with its well-being.Individuals selected to participate in Leadership San Francisco explore community trusteeship, the ambition to work for the common good and serve the primary needs of others by holding their community in trust. Ten full-day monthly sessions are held from September through June. Sessions explore topics that include, but are not limited to, government, housing, transportation, health, social issues, education, regionalism, nonprofit organizations, the media and the effect these sectors have on the economy, jobs and quality of life.

California Nonpartisan
Leadership South Carolina

Established in 1979 by the Governor's Office and the South Carolina business community, Leadership South Carolina is a statewide leadership program giving South Carolinians an opportunity to advance their leadership qualities while broadening their understanding of issues facing the state.  Each year, approximately 55 individuals (applicants or nominees) are selected to participate in six three-day sessions from September to April.   Class sessions include presentations, panels, experiential learning, and networking among class members and presenters. 

South Carolina Nonpartisan
Leadership Southern California

Southern California Leadership Network, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Southern California (LSC) enrolls approximately 40 interviewed and selected mid- to senior-level executives annually in a 10-month leadership development program to expose participants to regional public policy issues across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and San Diego Counties. Fellows also travel to Sacramento and Mexico for classes featuring leaders from private industry, government and the non-profit sector.

California Nonpartisan
Leadership Southern Indiana

Leadership Southern Indiana educates Indiana residents about their community, identifies ways to improve the communitys services and effectiveness, and hones individual skills to lead in making those improvements. Selected individuals participate in class days over a five-month period that cover issues like government, art and culture in the region, and leadership development.

Indiana Nonpartisan
Leadership St. Louis

FOCUS St. Louis

Founded in 1976, Leadership St. Louis (LSL) is a nine-month leadership development program dedicated to community improvement.  Emerging and established leaders are selected among applicants that are first nominated for admission.  Participants meet for two-day seminars each month that cover topics like economic development, education, racism, power and politics, poverty and social services, the criminal justice system, arts and culture, and the environment.  Graduates of the program go on to take leadership roles in public and private sectors, including politics and government. 

Missouri Nonpartisan