To most of our AAUW Dialog readers, it’s no secret that women’s representation in American politics is appallingly low. Women make up just 17 percent of the U.S. Congress, 24 percent of state legislators, and 23 percent of state executive officers. The numbers are even lower for women under 40 and for women of color. The United States is ranked 80th in the world for women’s representation in national politics, behind countries like Uganda, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Yowza.
With Election Day looming, these numbers are always in the forefront of my mind as women’s issues are ignored or attacked by political candidates. The truth is, when we don’t have women in the pipeline for political office, we can’t be guaranteed someone at the table will be representing our interests.
It is for that exact reason that AAUW and Running Start teamed up for Elect Her–Campus Women Win, the only national program that encourages and trains college women to run for office in student government and beyond. We are excited to announce the 39 colleges and universities that will be offering these trainings for women on their campuses this spring. Stay informed about Elect Her via Facebook, and send any questions about the program to leadership@aauw.org.
New Sites in 2013
California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, California
California State University, Chico, California
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont
North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina
Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
Sierra College, Rocklin, California
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
Returning Sites
Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina
Denison University, Granville, Ohio
George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
Georgian Court University, Lakewood, New Jersey
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mount San Jacinto College, Menifee, California
Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan
Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington
Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina
University of Texas, Arlington, Texas
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
University of the West Indies, Mona; Kingston, Jamaica
University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia
Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington
Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
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