Women & Politics Institute

The Women & Politics Institute provides practical and academic training to women that encourages them 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

202-885-2903

Fax: 202-885-2967

wpi@american.edu

Kerwin Hall, Room 109E

Women & Politics Institute 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Women on Wednesdays: Election Watch Wednesday, June 3, 6:00 PM

The National Republican Congressional Committee’s Recruitment Chair, Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN), and Executive Director Parker Hamilton Poling, in virtual conversation with WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin.

Congresswoman Brooks and Parker Hamilton Poling will discuss their efforts at the National Republican Congressional Committee to recruit more female candidates and position them for success in primaries. They will also highlight some GOP "women to watch." Save your spot here.

WPI "Women on Wednesdays" Recaps

MAY 27: Cecilia Muñoz, author of the just-published book, More than Ready: Be Strong and Be You....and Other Lessons for Women of Color on the Rise, in conversation with WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin. Read more
Watch the full replay here

MAY 20: Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama and author of the New York Times bestseller, Finding My Voice: When The Perfect Plan Crumbles, The Adventure Begins, in conversation with WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin. Read More
Watch the full replay here

MAY 13: Kicking off WPI’s “Women on Wednesdays” series, WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin spoke with award-winning political journalist Molly Ball, author of Pelosi. Read More
Watch the full replay here

Event Recaps

APR 14: WPI and Running Start hosted a virtual book talk with Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Jennifer Steinhauer, author of, The Firsts: The Inside Story of Women Reshaping Congress. Betsy Fischer Martin and Susannah Wellford co-moderated the discussion. Read more
Watch the full replay here

MAR 4: WPI hosted four female ambassadors to the U.S., H.E. Hunaina Sultan Al Mughairy of Oman, H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana of Rwanda, H.E. Roya Rahmani of Afghanistan, and H.E. Bergdís Ellertsdóttir of Iceland, to discuss women's political participation around the world. Read more

MAR 4: To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, WPI partnered with APCO Worldwide and the Close Up Foundation to convene a group of young leaders and congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. Read more

WeLead Training Recap

Virtual WeLead session in Zoom gallery view

APR 18: The final WeLead session of 2019-2020 featured Capitol Hill veterans Amanda Fuchs Miller and Kathryn Lehman on Lobbying & Government Relations, followed by SBDigital Partner Sulli Norris-Cole and Vice President Zandria Haines on Grassroots Campaigning and GOTV. Read More

News Stories

Government & Politics · April 16

Wave of Women Elected Shatters What It Looks Like to Serve in Congress

On April 14th the SPA Women & Politics Institute sponsored a virtual book talk on women in congress.
Full Story

On Campus · March 10

Female Ambassadors Share Stories on International Women’s Day

Female ambassadors to the U.S. from Afghanistan, Iceland, Oman and Rwanda spoke on campus at a panel moderated by Betsy Fischer Martin, executive director of the American University School of Public Affairs’ Women and Politics March 4.
Full Story