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.

Academics Fall 2024 WPPL Courses

Fall 2024 Courses (1)

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

SheVotes

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

Anita and Diana

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.“

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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

Check out all event recaps here, or visit our Crowdcast channel here to watch full replays of previous events.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Nov 9: Amanda Hunter, Christine Matthews, Atima Omara, and Mabinty Quarshie broke down the 2022 midterm elections and shared their analysis on how women candidates fared up and down the ballot with Betsy Fischer Martin. Read more here and watch the full replay here

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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.

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Gender on the Ballot Newsletter

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