January 9, 2024

Head to CAWP’s YouTube channel to watch Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor Leslie Osborn and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) discuss the unique political ecosystems of their home states. This conversation, moderated by CAWP’s Kelly Dittmar, emerges from our most recent report, Rethinking Women’s Political Power, which relies on interviews with more than 200 political actors in five states to describe differences and commonalities among states and provide prescriptions to enhance women’s political power that are applicable in every part of the country. Read the full report at the Rethinking Women’s Political Power site.

You know that CAWP's research and data tell the full story of women's role in American politics. Here’s your chance to join the team that brings that story to the world. CAWP is hiring a public relations specialist to join our communications team. Working alongside CAWP’s director of communications, the role will take ownership of two key areas of our communications output: as the media relations lead for our elections data output and as our audience engagement lead. Learn more about the role and apply via the Rutgers University employment site.

Ready to Run® New Jersey is CAWP’s flagship non-partisan program designed to increase women's participation in the political process and to prepare diverse women candidates to run and win. For over 25 years, the Ready to Run® program has trained thousands of women to run for office, seek appointed positions, manage campaigns, and become more involved in public life.

This year's Ready to Run® will take place on March 15-16th at the Douglass Student Center, Rutgers–New Brunswick. Join us for Ready to Run® 2024 and encourage a friend, colleague, or mentor to participate as well! Register before February 12th for a reduced registration fee of $150. Limited scholarships are available.

Not in New Jersey? Partner programs in the Ready to Run® National Network are hosting programs:

• Ready to Run® Pittsburgh: January 19-20th
• Ready to Run® South Carolina’s Fixin’ to Lead Workshop: January 20th
• Ready to Run® Philadelphia: February 4th

In her new CAWP Grant Brief, “Running for Justice? Understanding Black Women Judicial and Prosecutorial Candidates,” Dr. Jamil Scott of Georgetown University examines public perceptions towards Black women in elected positions in the American legal system. While noting the persistent underrepresentation of Black women in judicial and prosecutorial offices, she finds that “respondents do not perceive Black women distinctly from their race-gender counterparts across a myriad of descriptive traits nor are Black women disadvantaged in election scenarios.” Because of these findings, Dr. Scott sees a critical electoral opportunity for Black women candidates, and notes that political practitioners “should be mindful of encouraging more Black women to seek elected positions beyond legislative seats.” Read the full brief here.