I've never considered running for office. That might seem kind of normal, except I was a political science major in college and follow electoral politics very carefully. I'm a feminist who cares deeply about the lack of female representation in politics. From the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics:
In 2009, 90 women serve in the U.S. Congress. Seventeen women serve in the Senate, and 73 women serve in the House. The number of women in statewide elective executive posts is 73, while the proportion of women in state legislatures is at 24.3 percent.
So why is it that I never even wondered if it might be a good fit for me or one of the communities I've lived in? Maybe I'm not cut out for it or simply not drawn to it (I have a lot to say about how sketchy and classist electoral politics are), which is just fine. But what if I just couldn't picture it? What if I was socialized out of seeing it as an option?
On the chance that the latter is true, there's a new way to socialize yourself back into the possibility.
The White House Project has just announced its next round of leadership trainings for women interested in running for office or getting involved in politics in some other way. They're called Go Run trainings:
Go Run is open to all women who want to increase their leadership skills in the political arena. Plan to run for office in 2012 and want to learn how to build your campaign? Don't know if you want to run, but care deeply about an issue affecting your community? Want to help other women win, pass legislation that matters to you, or just get more involved? All are welcome to attend you only need the desire and dedication to build your leadership and learn more about the political process.
Upcoming trainings are in Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, New York, and my home state, Colorado. Go for it smarty pants.
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Thanks for the heads-up, Courtney. I probably never would have heard about it otherwise. I've just applied.
Hats off to Gov Palin for her leadership and courage. Yesterday, Gov Palin picked Anchorage Superior Court Judge Morgan Christen to become only the second female Supreme Court Judge in the history of the State of Alaska. But Judge Christen isnt just any woman. She is a pro-choice and was even on the board of Planned Parenthood in the 1990s. The other finalist for the job was a more conservative male. Now I want to be clear here. I am not taking a view on reproductive rights. I am commending Gov Palin for standing up to groups that would normally be her most ardent supporters in order to promote a woman. As the article cites: The head of the Alaska Family Council a Christian pro-family, anti-abortion group ” on Wednesday sent an e-mail to thousands of people asking them to urge Palin to pick Smith, not Christen. The family council plea, from group president Jim Minnery, said Smith was more conservative and that Christen would be another activist on the Court.In an interview, Minnery said that was the general consensus but he had no specifics. What a bold move by Gov Palin. If the governor of Alaska were a man, would he, in this type of scenario have chosen a woman over a man? Especially if there was political fallout for doing so? You bet your sweet a*s /NO WAY/! This is why we must get women into positions of power. It is women that will promote women in politics, academia and corporate America. But my basking in the glory did not last long. The next thing I did was to read Violets wonderful blog piece this morning on what the antifeminists at Slate were up to and seeing the mock poster that was put together by Samantha Henig (if you have the stomach, keep scrolling down to Violet piece). Now I thought the misogyny and sexism aimed at SOS Clinton by the MSM during the primary was appalling. And, as many of you may recall, I spoke out about the fact that Howard Dean was totally silent on this sh*t show until May 31, 2008 - at which point it was a little too little, a little too late! But what happened to Gov Palin in the presidential election was equally appalling. Thing is, it wasnt just the MSM. Many of the allegedly progressive women, like Samantha Henig, were front and center in this assault. Remember the proud Democratic woman wearing the t-shirt: Palin a C-word? Need I go on? I think back on how SOS Clinton handled herself. Once again, Hillary was the model we should all aspire to as a true feminist. Hillary was pushed, chided, cajoled and every other form in imagination encouraged to attack Sarah. She refused. Hillarys MO was that she would happily point out differences in issues, but she would NOT, I repeat NOT, attack Sarah Palin personally. Now with the benefit of time, I hope that women who had so maliciously attacked Gov Palin will do a bit of self reflection. Was it appropriate to sexualize her and attack her in a misogynistic way? Who was the audience you were trying to please? I mean, - speak out against her on the issues - THAT is fair play. As our first female Secretary of State famously stated: There is a special place in hell for women dont support other women. Well, there is even a more special place for women who are degrade other women and try to make them into sexual objects - and I bet its hot down there! Posted by Amy Siskind newagenda.net
Here are some good resources for women interested in getting involved in Illinois:
For Dems: http://www.iwilinfo.org/about.php
For Repubs: http://www.lincolnseries.com/
Two good leadership programs that are great if you are thinking about running for office in Illinois!
Thought this was kind of interesting:
http://womencount.org/
There's an area where you can sign a petition too.
nice comment Bruce,
and to Courntey Shut UP, already!
"New York-based author Courtney Martin, also an Obama supporter, wrote on Glamour magazine's blog Glamocracy last month that she was not backing Clinton "in part because she reminds me of being scolded by my mother." quote from HUFFPO.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice Shame on you. If women want to get ahead in this country they need a NEW voice. The New Agenda and FemiSex are both voices that promote women to high office, Really. Countney, like most of Feministing community was head over heals in love with too cool for school Obama, but can't see any women in high office except an non-existant imaginary one they don't have to compete with.
Don't buy a word of Courntey's cuties. She does not support women runnning for office except herself.