So why aren't more women running for public office? How can we convince them to do so? What does it take to identify, encourage, and support smart, competent, qualified, experienced female candidates who stand a good chance of winning? And how do we equip them with the tools and information they need to mount a successful campaign?
Increasing the number of women in politics is the mission of several national non-partisan groups (most affiliated with non-profit organizations) that offer training, workshops, and guidance geared toward encouraging potential female candidates.
The 2012 Project - Recruiting Boomer Women
The 2012 Project is a campaign created to identify and facilitate the entry of capable, competent women into Congressional and state legislature races. The brainchild of two renowned experts on women and politics -- California political strategist Mary V. Hughes and Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University -- the 2012 Project wants more women running for office regardless of political persuasion.
They are specifically interested in attracting accomplished professional women 45 and older from eight key industries: finance, science, technology, energy, environment, health care, small business and international affairs; all are typically underrepresented in elective office. As Walsh explains, women 45+ are ideal candidates because "[they] already have established careers and reduced family responsibilities" and "their talents and experience...equip them to run for office." They also tend to be more financially stable and have deeper roots in their communities.
Hughes knows that the biggest challenge -- getting women with no previous political background to consider public service -- often requires direct recruitment. In order to reach this untapped talent pool, the 2012 Project connects with potential women candidates by visiting conferences and professional gatherings outside the political sphere. These include the Society of Women Engineers, Women's Automotive Association International, Executive Women of the State Department, American Geophysical Union and the Women's Council of Realtors.
Over 50 former elected officials from both sides of the aisle serve as "faculty" for the 2012 Project and provide a region-specific look at what's involved in a campaign, stories of success, and an insider's perspective on the rewards of public service. Once participants indicate their interest, potential candidates are referred to existing training programs, leadership institutes and fundraising schools.
According to 2012 Project media director Laurie Kretchmar, "Baby Boomer women have already paid their dues. By and large they're women who've accomplished a lot their fields and we can connect them to opportunities in their respective states. Often, women who want to serve their communities don't think of political office. Instead, they think about starting a non-profit to address local issues. Why not look at the bigger picture? We introduce them to the idea that they can work to try and change the laws as an elected official."
In addition to functioning as a recruitment campaign, the 2012 Project is poised to take advantage of a unique political opportunity specific to this upcoming election -- the redrawing of congressional and legislative districts based on demographic shifts in the 2010 census and the creation of new and open seats. As the 2012 Project website notes, "Reapportionment creates opportunity, and research shows that women have more success winning open seats." Kretchmar adds, "Since incumbents have a significant advantage in reelection campaigns, redistricting creates a much fairer field for women."
Next page: Nuts and Bolts of Running for Office & Overcoming Female Reluctance
