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Women & Politics Institute
The Women & Politics Institute provides practical and academic training that encourages women to become involved in the political process and facilitates research by faculty and students that enhances our understanding of the challenges and opportunities women face in the political arena.
Contact Us
Kerwin Hall, Room 109E on a map
Women & Politics Institute 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United StatesTo request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.
Academics Fall 2024 WPPL Courses
The following core courses will be offered in Fall 2024 for the Women, Policy and Political Leadership (WPPL) Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs. View all WPPL courses here and learn more about the certificate program here.
Gender on the Ballot
As the 2024 election comes into focus, Gender on the Ballot and the Benenson Strategy Group investigate whether women across the country are more interested in political issues and more motivated to get involved in politics at a local, state, or federal level.
The study reveals that women are engaged in politics, supportive of women elected officials, and tuned into conversations about hot-button issues such as reproductive rights and inflation. However, women are also burnt out, financially strained, and increasingly concerned about extremism in politics.
To learn more about this new research, check out our Gender on the Ballot website where you will find key takeaways, memo, and our press release.
Recent Blog Posts
Why We Should Study First Ladies: WPI Instructor Dr. Diana Carlin and AU First Ladies Initiative Director Anita McBride discuss how as “we mourn Rosalynn Carter’s passing, it is an opportunity to acknowledge the change she made in the world and increase awareness of the importance of the role of first lady in history and in our daily lives.“
How We Can Ensure the Election of Local and State Women Political Leaders: WPI Instructor Lucy Gettman highlights organizations and officeholders that are changing the political landscape for women in 2023 and beyond, including Larissa Martinez, president and co-founder of Women’s Policy Leadership Network (WPLN), CEO Emily Quick Schriver of Matriots Ohio, and Columbus School Board Member Dr. Tina Pierce.
WPI "Women on Wednesdays" Recaps
November 29: Dr. Diana Carlin and Anita McBride discussed their new textbook, U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies, which examines how “first ladies are uniquely positioned to influence American society, public policy, politics, diplomacy, and life in the White House.” Watch the full replay here.
Nov. 1: Katherine Spillar, Exec. Director of the Feminist Majority Foundation and Exec. Editor of Ms. Magazine, discussed the anthology, 50 Years of Ms.: The Best of the Pathfinding Magazine That Ignited a Revolution, and the evolution and future of women's rights with WPI Instructor Lucy Gettman. Watch the full replay here
Oct 18: AARP’s Nancy LeaMond and Susan Reinhard discussed critical issues in family caregiving and the pressures facing women of every generation with Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), congressional co-chairs of the bi-partisan Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. Watch the full replay here
September 6: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) discussed her new book, The Joy of Politics: Surviving Cancer, a Campaign, a Pandemic, an Insurrection, and Life's Other Unexpected Curveballs, which reveals the political turmoil and personal challenges she has dealt with while in Congress. Watch the full replay here
May 10: Erica Dhar, Julie Miller, and Julia Manchester discussed the global economy and the politics and priorities of older women with Betsy Fischer Martin. Watch the full replay here
March 29: Amanda Hunter, Mabinty Quarshie, Lindsay Vermeye, and Betsy Fischer Martin presented findings from our new Gender on the Ballot poll, conducted by Benenson Strategy Group, that explored the issues shaping women voters and their political opinions. Watch the full replay here
March 22: Rebecca Boggs Roberts discussed her book, Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson. First Ladies Initiative Exec. Director Anita McBride offered introductory remarks. Watch the full replay here
March 1: Kicking-off Women’s History Month, New York Times best-selling author Dr. Elizabeth Cobbs, Melbern Glasscock Chair at Texas A&M University, discussed her new book, Fearless Women: Feminist Patriots from Abigail Adams to Beyoncé. Watch the full replay here
February 22: Dr. Anastasia Curwood discussed her book, Shirley Chisholm: Champion of Black Feminist Power Politics, the “definitive biography” of the first Black major-party presidential candidate that interweaves Chisholm's “public image, political commitments, and private experiences." Watch the full replay here
The WeLead Reader is a curated weekend newsletter packed with news and research about women in politics. If you like to receive the Reader each week, please subscribe below. Please help us spread the word and share it with interested family and friends.
For recent highlights and updates, check out our December 2023 newsletter here: https://t.co/xT8Z3mwcTk
— Women & Politics Institute (@AU_WPI) December 13, 2023
Subscribe to our #WeLead Reader for the latest on #WomenInPolitics. This week featuring news about women of color running for office, the end of @NikkiHaley's campaign for president, calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, and more: https://t.co/Wum1d2UkBS
— Women & Politics Institute (@AU_WPI) March 9, 2024
Our #WeLead campaign training program gives young professional women the confidence and skills to run for office @MsMagazine #closingthegendergaphttps://t.co/T1RkCBhZPK
— Women & Politics Institute (@AU_WPI) February 14, 2024
WeLead Speaker Spotlight on @ShannonChatlos @Strat_Media #Digital - read more https://t.co/7HugkYPzoQ pic.twitter.com/VkqCyf3jTS
— Women & Politics Institute (@AU_WPI) December 18, 2023
🎉Congratulations to @AU_WPI's #WeLead2024 class! https://t.co/XtZd8VBeD2
— School of Public Affairs (@AU_SPA) February 28, 2024
Our Gender on the Ballot research examines what motivates women and how they plan to participate this year. In case you missed it, you can watch the full panel here. Click to read the memo, the blog post, Axios coverage, and the press release.
WeLead Reader
A curated newsletter, delivered to inboxes on Saturday mornings, readers can catch up on a week’s worth of important new developments about women running for office, serving as leaders and engaging in the political arena.
Gender on the Ballot Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news + gender analysis in politics.
WPI Newsletter
Sign up for the WPI Newsletter to view recent highlights and learn about upcoming opportunities and events.