Ignoring the elements, more than 250 women gathered for Ready to Run® NJ on March 10-11 ---               a record turnout of energized participants eager to absorb insider advice on politics from some of New Jersey's smartest and most respected strategists and elected officials. But New Jersey is far from alone in seeing this surge in interest. CAWP's partners in the Ready to Run® National Network report similar enthusiasm in their states. We were thrilled to have representatives from our four newest partners who are launching their programs later this year: Connecticut (Fairfield University); Delaware (the newly-formed Fund for Women's Equality and Empowerment); Indiana ( Women4Change) ; and Mississippi ( The Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership). Also attending were representatives of two of our long standing programs: Iowa (the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, Iowa State University) and Utah ( Real Women Run, sponsored by YWCA Utah). All of our partners build programs based on CAWP's model. Meanwhile, USA Today reported on the dearth of women in office in Mississippi and and featured Ready to Run® and the Stennis Center's Jennifer Gregory in an article pointing out that Mississippi has yet to send even one woman to Congress. CAWP director Debbie Walsh, in an op-ed for nj.com, underscored the need for more women to run in New Jersey and beyond. 

Elected women around the country like Florida State. Rep. Tracie Davis (pictured here) are celebrating   Women's History Month by reading If I Were President to girls and boys in their home towns. Thanks to the Hess Foundation and the Rice Family Foundation, CAWP was able to send a copy of the book to each woman in Congress, all the women serving in state legislatures, and the four women governors, all through our Teach a Girl to Lead^TM initiative.  After reading the story to children, the elected women are donating the books to school libraries and sharing photos of their visits on social media using #TeachAGirl and #IfIWere President. The book, written by Catherine Stier with illustrations by Diane DiSalvo-Ryan, explains the varied duties of the presidency. We chose it because it provides an easily understandable overview of the presidency for elementary-age children, and it includes a diverse cast of girls and boys, making it easy for all kids to imagine themselves in the Oval Office. If you'd like to read the story to youngsters too, check out our Discussion Guide for sample questions and related resources.