Political Women: Run for Office and Win

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote, we must decide if we've truly realized the promise of that proclamation.

The purpose of this guide is to help more women across the country, and the world, run for office. You picked up this book because either you know a woman who would be a great politician, or because you are asking yourself if you might be. Here's the answer- yes! Just the fact that you are considering serving your community makes you the right person to run. But don't take my word for it. Let's work through this together and see if campaigning, and serving in elected office are right for you.

Why a guide for women only? Admittedly, there are wonderful male public servants out there, but they've had access to resources that women are now either now just learning about or are building from scratch. The structures that propelled men to run were economic and social. They were built around shared values and interests. Those networks are now being built for women.

This book is meant to support the work of organizations on the front lines of this work including Emily's List and Emerge. And while the movement is growing, there are many races where women can run and win. From sanitation boards to school boards, from fire commissions to county commissions, from state legislative seats to Governor, and yes, we need more women running for Congress and its equivalent globally.

Many of us steeped in politics can forget that a candidate can be made with a few words of encouragement. There are women out there right now just waiting to be asked. Be a person that asks. Tell the smart and strong women you know- "You should run for office." Give her this book or one like it. Make it your mission to plant the seed in the minds of the talented and creative women.