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
The Dodie Londen Series

The Dodie London Series is an expansion program of the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, founded in 1989 to encourage, mentor and prepare selected women leaders to seek new levels of involvement in government and politics.  The Arizona program began in 2007 to increase the number and influence of Arizona's Republican women in government and politics. Up to twenty applicants are accepted each year to participate in eight monthly day-long sessions where participants learn from experts and hands-on activities and have the opportunity to network with key Republican leaders, preparing them to assume decision-making positions through appointment and/or election at the local, state, and national levels.

Arizona Rep
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Series

The Eisenhower Excellence in Public Service 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 the number of Kansas Republican women who serve in elected office, on boards and commissions, and hold key positions on campaign, political and government staffs by providing education and training on government, campaigns, and leadership.  Program events for selected applicants are held once monthly, from January through May, throughout the state.

Kansas Rep
The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee

The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates at the state or local level in New York State.

New York Dem
The Graduate School of Political Management

The George Washington University

George Washington University offers a master's degree in political management to provide students with hands-on professional experience that is directly applicable to their careers in politics.  Students can focus in advocacy politics, electoral politics, or advanced political skills, with specialized course programs in each area to fit student interests. The MPM requires 36 hours of course work.

District of Columbia Nonpartisan
The Inside Scoop on Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life

"Inside Scoop" is a program designed to give those interested in serving on public boards and commissions an opportunity to hear from the government officials responsible for identifying appropriate appointment candidates. The program targets women interested in appointed office, but is open to all members of the public wanting more information. Presenters for previous seminars have included representatives from the Governor's Office and the Mayor's offices in Kansas City and St. Louis, experts detailing the function and impact of boards and commissions, and women who have served in appointed positions in Missouri.  "Inside Scoop" seminars are typically held in off-election years and have been held at both the St. Louis and Kansas City Sue Shear Institute locations.

Missouri Nonpartisan
The Institute for Career Advancement Needs, Inc. (ICAN)

The Institute for Career Advancement Needs, Inc. (ICAN) is a non-profit leadership development organization offering comprehensive leadership training for men and women at every level of their careers. ICAN offers gender-specific programs like their annual Womens Leadership Conference (held in Omaha, NE) and womens leadership series including Defining Leadership (NE) and INFLUENCE, which recruits women from organizations nationwide.  ICAN was founded in 1981 in Omaha, Nebraska and has delivered leadership programs to over 16,000 professionals representing hundreds of businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Nebraska Nonpartisan
The Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida

The Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida is a non-partisan organization incorporated in the State of Florida and serving women in the three northwesternmost counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa. The Institute's mission is to develop women leaders through outreach, training, and mentoring and to work toward increasing the number of highly competent women in political office and government inthe region. The Institute offers several half-day or full-day workshops annually with subject matter varying from year to year: Election laws, campaign organization and management, preparing for politics throughcommunity connections and relationship building, public speaking for women, political fundraising. Workshop fees vary, and some are offered at no charge.

Florida Nonpartisan
The Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute

The Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute is an eight-month program created to encourage and train women in business and civic leadership to assume more prominent roles, either elected or appointed, in government and in the Republican Party. Each year, between 15 and 20 women leaders from across Ohio who have an interest in politics and public service and meet a diverse range of criteria for participation are selected to join the Institutes class. The Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute is an expansion program of the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.

Ohio Rep
The LEADERship

Greater Baltimore Committee

Founded in 1983, the Leadership Program of Baltimore is an annual leadership development program for 50 individuals selected from businesses, non-profits and government. The annual program includes seminars, experimental activities, weekend retreats and meetings with some of the regions most influential leaders. Program participants are educated about the community in preparation for taking leadership roles in the public and private sectors.

Maryland Nonpartisan
The Lincoln Series

The Lincoln Series, formally The Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series Program, provides leadership and campaign training to increase the number of Illinois Republican women in elected and appointed governmental and political positions at the local, state and federal levels. Offering two tracks, The Lincoln Series is a statewide network encouraging, supporting and training women for careers in politics and government.

Illinois Rep
The Marian Bergeson Series

Established in 2004, the Marian Bergeson Series is a nine-month series aimed at preparing Republican women for their next level of public involvement, including elected and appointed office. Selected Fellows participate in monthly trainings in various locations throughout the state on political history and processes, running successful campaigns, and philosphy and ethics. They are presented additional networking opportunities with Republican leaders through meetings in Sacramento and Washington, DC. The Marian Bergeson Series is an expansion program of the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, founded in 1989 to encourage, mentor, and prepare selected women leaders for new levels of involvement in government and politics.

California Rep
The Michigan Series

The Michigan Series, an affiliate of the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, encourages, mentors and prepares selected Republican women leaders to seek new levels of involvement in government and politics. 

Michigan Rep
The New Majority NYC

The New Majority NYC builds political power for all women by electing candidates running for office in New York City, identifying as women, and aligning with the New Majority's values and bottom-line issues.

 

New York Nonpartisan
The New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute

Leadership Institute

The New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute promotes regionalism and educates current and emerging leaders on community issues. Selected applicants participate in a nine-month educational program where statewide issues are presented through lectures, on-site visits, readings, discussion groups, simulations, and other leadership development activities. The Institute encourages area leaders to become actively involved in promoting positive change for the New Orleans region.

Louisiana Nonpartisan
The Policy Circle

By coming together in Circles to discuss fact-based research, women learn from each other and gain the confidence to articulate their views on a wide range of issues. A Circle can be easily started by two to three  women, who then each invite two to three women to participate. You will be surprised by who comes and who wants to engage on issues.The Policy Circle provides a framework of meeting timing and discussion topics, related Policy Briefs and guidance for how to hold conversations. Partnerships with state-based think tanks provide relevant state-specific content.  Circles are provided a framework and platform that enable each member to engage with her Circle about the concerns in her community, her state and the nation.

National Nonpartisan
The Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series

The Lugar Series

Founded in 1989, the Richard C. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series encourages, mentors and prepares selected Republican women leaders to seek new levels of involvement in government and politics.  Up to 20 Republican women are selected annually to participate in eight monthly day-long sessions covering issues in government, campaigns, and leadership development.  The series culminates with a four-day summit in Washington, D.C.  Series Fellows must demonstrate a commitment to seeking positions in government or the Republican Party within 5 years of completing the program.

Indiana Rep
The Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series

Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce

The Stanley K. Lacey Executive Leadership Series is an annual Indianapolis-based leadership program for young professionals seeking to learn about the issues facing the Indianapolis community from business and civic leaders.  Twenty-five selected applicants participate in once-monthly sessions covering topics like education, government, health and human services, the justice system, diversity, quality of life, and economic development.  Program graduates go on to lead in the community's public and private sectors.

Indiana Nonpartisan
The State Chamber's Leadership Nebraska

Nebraska Chamber of Commerce

Created in 2005, Leadership Nebraska works to develop and motivate a cross-section of leaders who will use their talents and abilities to lead within the state of Nebraska.  Approximately 30 leaders are selected annually to participate in six, two-day educational sessions from February through September.  Each of the educational sessions is conducted in a different community and addresses key subjects and critical issues facing Nebraska

Nebraska Nonpartisan
The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund

The Susan B. Anthony List is a pro-life women's PAC designed to provide early money to women running for high national office.

National Rep
The Women's Empowerment Network

The Women's Empowerment Network is a nonprofit organization, registered as a 501(c)(3), that is dedicated to providing support for women who are facing adversity. Focusing primarily on women who are battling cancer and domestic violence. 

Nonpartisan