Previous Events

Photo courtesy of Hilary Schwab

Girls Just Wanna Not Run Event

Jennifer Lawless and Richard Fox invited the AU community and public to join them for a discussion on their new report: Girls Just Wanna Not Run: The Gender Gap in Young Americans' Political Ambition. Before the program, the participants were able to enjoy cocktails and food. The event was a success as Jennifer and Richard presented their results and also answered various questions from the audience. To see photos of the event, click here.

Photo courtesy of Ann Timmons

WPI Graduation Festivities

Sunday, April 28, 2013

In a combined brunch event, the Women & Politics Institute celebrated this year's six Women, Policy, and Political Leadership Certificate recipients and twenty-nine WeLEAD Program graduates. The event also honored the 2012-2013 Alice Paul Award Winners: Ann Timmons (Faculty Recipient), Anita McBride (Alumna Recipient), Sarah Glassman (Staff Recipient), Jane Palmer (Graduate Student Recipient) and Emily Yu (Undergraduate Student Recipient). See photos of the festivities here.

(Photo courtesy of Robb Hill)

2nd Annual 5K Race to Representation

WeLEAD Kick-Off for the Class of 2012-2013

Saturday, September 22, 2012

On Saturday, September 22nd, Women & Politics Institute welcomed the new WeLEAD Class of 2012-2013. At this kick-off brunch, WPI Director Jen Lawless offered introductory remarks to welcome the WeLEAD participants. In addition, the participants were able to meet and mingle with WeLead Alumni from the Class of 2011-2012. All in all, WPI was proud to once again host this Kick-Off event for our new WeLEAD participants and WeLead Alumni.

Amy Dacey, Professor Jennifer Lawless, Jessica Grounds, and Clare Bresnahan.

Women's Week: Women in Politics Panel

WPI and AU Democrats co-sponsored a Women in Politics Panel. The panel examined why was so important to have more women in government and what their potential was for increased representation in the upcoming election.

Speakers: Amy Dacey, Executive Director of EMILY’s List, AU Professor, Jennifer Lawless, Executive Director of Running Start & Chair of the Board of Directors for the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee, Jessica Grounds, and Clare Bresnahan, Programs Director of the Women’s Campaign Fund.

From left to right: Jennifer Krafchik, Dr. Jennifer Lawless, Dr. Joy Kinard, and moderator Page Harrington

Beyond the Vote: Post-Suffering Strategies to Gain Access to Power

WPI, National Archives William G. McGowan Theater, and National Capital Parks-East, National Park Service hosted a panel that discussed how women gained access to power to make change. 

Speakers: Dr. Joy Kinard, Central District Manager, National Capital Parks-East; Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS, Jennifer Krafchik, Assistant Director and Director of Collections, Sewall-Belmont House & Museum, and Dr. Jennifer Lawless, Director, Women & Politics Institute, American University.

The 2012 Alice Paul Award Recipients pose for a picture with Professor Jen Lawless.

WPI's 2012 Graduation Festivities

In a combined brunch event, the Women & Politics Institute celebrated this year's nine Women, Policy, and Political Leadership Certificate recipients and thirty-seven WeLEAD Program graduates. The event also honored the 2011-2012 Alice Paul Award Winners: Elizabeth Sherman (Faculty Recipient), Jan Du Plain (Alumni Recipient), Leah Gates (Graduate Student Recipient) and Kathleen McKenna (Undergraduate Student Recipient). See photos of the festivities here.

From left to right: Able Thomas, Charlene Haar, Elaine Baxter, Sylvia Garcia, Josie Heath, Stephanie Johnson, Ellen Wedum, Jean Lloyd-Jones, Michele Dyson, Connie Morella, Susan Stokes, Anna Nevenic, Claire Sargent, Pam Roach, and Jennifer Lawless.

Celebrating Women's History Month and the 20th Anniversary of the "Year of the Woman"

Pictured from left to right: Erin Fuller, Susan Ness, Deborah Taylor Tate and Jennifer Lawless (photo courtesy of Erica Best).

"Miss Representation"

Jan Leighly, Annie Johnson, Jimmy Bisese, Danny Hayes, Claudia Thurber, Jennifer Lawless and Jim Thurber (photo courtesy of Robb Hill).

Race to Representation

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Jennifer Lawless (photo courtesy of Pamela Riis).

WeLEAD Kick- Off for the Class of 2011-2012

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

On Wednesday, September 21st, more than 150 guests gathered at the Rayburn Office Building for the 2011-2012 WeLEAD Kick-Off.  WPI Director Jen Lawless offered introductory remarks to welcome the WeLEAD participants and Congresswomen Donna Edwards (MD-04) and Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). Both shared some personal anecdotes and advice to those in attendance on how to succeed as a woman in politics. The Women & Politics Institute was proud to once again host this Kick-Off event attended by leaders of key DC women's organizations, WeLEAD participants, Capitol Hill staffers, and many friends of WPI. See more photos from the event here.

WeLEADers at the WPI Graduation Brunch (Photo courtesy of Pamela Riis).

WPI's 2011 Graduation Festivities

In a combined brunch event, the Women & Politics Institute celebrated this year's thirteen Women, Policy, and Political Leadership Certificate recipients and thirty-six WeLEAD Program graduates. The event also honored the 2010-2011 Alice Paul Award Winners: Connie Morella (Faculty Recipient), Erin Fuller (Alumni Recipient), Christy Anthony (Staff Recipient), Gail Baitinger (Graduate Student Recipient) and Kathryn Baxter (Undergraduate Student Recipient). See photos of the festivities here.

Connie Morella, Cindy Simon Rosenthal, Elizabeth Holtzman, Jennifer Lawless (Photo courtesy of Hilary Schwab)

Celebrating Women's History Month

Cindy Simon Rosenthal signed copies of her new book, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the New American Politics (co-authored with Ron M. Peters, Jr.) as guests enjoyed refreshments and entertainment from Zeebop. Following the signing, a panel moderated by Cindy Simon Rosenthal with former congresswomen, Elizabeth Holtzman (member 1973-1981) and Connie Morella (member 1987-2003) discussed whether the more things change, the more they stay the same. Jennifer Lawless offered introductory remarks. Take a look at more pictures from the event.

(Photo courtesy of Hilary Schwab)

Women, media, power, leadership: No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power

Gloria Feldt signed copies of her new book, No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power, as guests enjoyed light refreshments. Following the signing, a panel with Gloria Feldt, Amanda Hess, Karen Finney and Congresswoman Terri Sewell discussed women, media, power, leadership, and Gloria's new book. The audience then asked panelists questions about their experiences navigating political leadership. See more photos from the panel discussion.

(Photo courtesy of Hilary Schwab)

Women and the 2010 Elections: It Still Takes A Candidate

Monday, November 29, 2010

Jen signed copies of her new book (co-authored with Richard L. Fox), It Still Takes A Candidate: Why Women Don't Run for Office as guests enjoyed light refreshments and live music by Zeebop. Dee Dee Myers, former White House Press Secretary to Bill Clinton, Dana Perino, former White House Press Secretary to George W. Bush, and Jennifer Lawless discussed the outcomes of the 2010 midterm elections to an audience of more than 150 guests.  Shira Toeplitz, from Politico moderated the discussion. See more from the signing and event.

(Photo courtesy of Hilary Schwab)

Honoring the Women of the FCC: Past & Present

The Alliance for Women in Media and WPI welcomed five current and former female FCC Commissioners Mimi Dawson, Susan Ness, Deborah Taylor Tate, Gloria Tristani and Meredith Atwell Baker for a panel discussion moderated by Jennifer Lawless. The Commissioners answered questions related to diversity in the media and challenges faced by female candidates for nominated or elected positions. The event concluded with a reception held in the Katzen Arts Center Museum.

Book signing at Borders for Jennifer Lawless (Photo courtesy of Pamela Riis)

Borders Book Signing with Jennifer L. Lawless

On Wednesday, October 20th, Borders in Friendship Heights hosted our first Washington, DC, book signing for Women & Politics Institute Director Jennifer Lawless, and her new book, It Still Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don't Run for Office. The book reports the results of surveys and interviews with 4,000 women and men who are well situated to run for office. It ultimately demonstrates that many fundamental barriers continue to confront women in politics, thereby making gender equality a remote prospect. Check out more photos from the signing.

Gloria Stienem with Jen's new book (Photo courtesy of Pamela Riis)

Gloria Stienem at AU

On Tuesday, October 5th, the Women & Politics Institute co-sponsored an event at which Gloria Steinem discussed feminism today, the struggles the women’s movement continues to face, and what the next generation of women’s activism will entail. After her speech, students were invited to participate in a question and answer session with Ms. Steinem. Other co-sponsors included: the Kennedy Political Union, Women's Initiative, and AU College Democrats.

Jessica Grounds, Jennifer Lawless and Kim Gandy (Photo courtesy of Erica Best).

2010 - 2011 WeLEAD Kick-Off

On Tuesday, September 21st, more than 150 guests gathered at the Rayburn Office Building for the 2010-2011 WeLEAD Kick-Off.  WPI Director Jen Lawless offered introductory remarks to welcome the WeLEAD participants and Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) shared some personal anecdotes. Live music by Zeebop greeted members of Congress, leaders of key DC women's organizations, WeLEAD participants, Capitol Hill staffers, and many friends of WPI.

H.E. Fatou Danielle Diagne, H.E. Faida Mitifu and H.E. Fatima Veiga (Photo courtesy of Anne Doyle).

WOMEN AMBASSADORS & WOMEN IN DIPLOMACY

On Thursday, June 3rd, more than 170 guests from the DC community gathered at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to honor the work of women ambassadors and women in diplomacy.  Jan DuPlain of DuPlain Enterprises, Inc., introduced Her Excellency Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, to an audience that included several other ambassadors, diplomats, alumni, and friends of WPI. Jennifer Lawless, WPI Director, offered remarks on the mission of the Women & Politics Institute.

Anita McBride, Tina Tchen and Ambassador Melanne Verveer (Photo courtesy of Bill Petros).

CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

The Honorable Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, and Tina Tchen, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, spoke to an audience of more than 150 guests about the Obama Administration's efforts to advance women in the U.S. and around the world. Anita McBride, executive-in-residence at American University, and former chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, moderated the discussion. Read Jen's introductory remarks here.

Jessica Yellin, Norah O'Donnell, Jennifer Lawless, and Anne Kornblut (Photo courtesy of Jeff Watts).

WOMEN, CAMPAIGNS, & ELECTIONS

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Washington Post White House correspondent, Anne Kornblut, signed copies of her book Notes from the Cracked Ceiling: Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and What It Will Take for a Woman to Win. After the signing, CNN's Jessica Yellin and MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell joined Kornblut for a panel discussion about women in the 2008 election. WPI Director Jennifer Lawless moderated and more than 150 guests attended. See more photos from the event here.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (left) with WPI director Jennifer Lawless (Photo courtesy of WPI).

Capitol Hill Reception for Jennifer Lawless

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Live music greeted more than 100 guests from the DC community as they gave a very warm welcome to Washington to WPI Director, Jennifer Lawless! Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) introduced Jen to an audience that included several other members of Congress, leaders of key DC women’s organizations, Capitol Hill staffers, and friends of WPI.

Meghan McCain being interviewed by the Eagle after the event (Photo courtesy of Kelsey Dickey).

WPI & KPU Host Meghan McCain

On September 23rd, Daily Beast columnist, Meghan McCain, spoke at to a packed room in the Mary Graydon University Center at an event cosponsored by the Women & Politics Institute. WPI Director, Jennifer Lawless, introduced the daughter of Senator and Republican presidential candidate, John McCain. Many thanks to the Kennedy Political Union for including us in this exciting event!

Jennifer Lawless speaking to the American University community in the Katzen Arts Center(Photo courtesy of Jeff Watts).

AU Welcome Event for Jennifer Lawless

The AU Community showed up in force to welcome WPI’s new Director, Dr. Jennifer Lawless. President Neil Kerwin, Provost Scott Bass, SPA Dean William LeoGrande, and WPI Founder and Director Emerita Karen O’Connor offered remarks.