Emerge Michigan is changing the face of politics by identifying, training and encouraging Democratic women to run for office, get elected and to seek higher office. Our intensive, cohort-based seven-month training program is unique. As the number of elected Democratic women remains flat or even declines, the need for our work is growing.
Vote Run Lead trains women to run for office and win, reaching over 55,000 women across America. Our alumni serve on city councils, county boards, state houses, supreme courts, and Congress. We unleash the political power of women as voters, candidates, and leaders to create and sustain an equitable democracy.
Launched in 2014, today, Vote Run Lead is four times the size of our start, reaching tens of thousands of women—nearly 60% of whom are women of color and 20% of whom are from rural America.
The Michigan Democratic Party offers in-person trainings focused on leadership training and issues related to campaigning for state House and Senate candidates and officers of local parties, clubs and caucuses. The Party also offers online trainings to candidates interested in running in the state. Trainings are usually scheduled about a month in advance, with information posted online or available from the Party office.
Founded in 1997, the Women Officials' Network (WON) is a non-partisan organization dedicated to women's leadership at all levels of government. WON Foundation's mission is to empower women leaders of today and mentor women leaders of tomorrow.
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.
The Republican Women's Federation of Michigan works to increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.
The Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) at Michigan State University (MSU) recruits, trains, and inspires current and future public policy leaders. In a multi-partisan learning environment, twenty-four individuals from across the state engage in a ten-month weekend program that incorporates practical politics, public policy analysis and process, personal leadership development, and effective governance.
Michigan NOW is a chapter of the National Organization for Women. It was established to provide coordination of local chapters and statewide advocacy to advance women’s rights in Michigan.
Founded in 2004, MI List is a statewide organization and donor network dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to the Michigan legislature and key local offices. MI List strategically recruits and supports pro-choice Democratic women to create a farm team of viable candidates to run for elected office; they coordinate campaign trainings with EMILY's List, a national PAC for pro-choice women.
Leadership Michigan is a seven-month program emphasizing community leadership. Selected applicants participate in six sessions from April through October, including an initial orientation and five two-day sessions held in the main regions of the state. Each session includes touring local landmarks and businesses; meeting local government, business and community leaders; discussing what makes a leader; and dialoguing about hot regional and statewide issues and other elements that make Michigan unique.
