Newsroom

News Articles

Mar 26 2013
Girls Just Wanna Not Run
School of Public Affairs, American University

Girls Just Wanna Not Run:  The Gender Gap in Young Americans' Political Ambition is the latest research by Jennifer Lawless and Richard L. Fox, released in March, 2013.  To read this policy report, please click on the link above or download the report on the pdf link below.

Mar 19 2013
More Elected Women Emerging as a Result of National Training Program
Elect Women
By Kathy Groob, ElectWomen.com  
 
More women are holding elected office as a result of the Emerge America training program. Working now in twelve states across the country, 185 Emerge trained women ran for public office, 121 on the general election ballot in November and 106 of them won.
Jan 3 2013
A Brief History of Women in Congress
The Week
 How long has Congress had female members?
Women have served in Congress since suffrage activist Jeannette Rankin of Montana won a seat in 1916 — four years before women won the right to vote. The feminist movement of the 1960s brought in a new wave of congresswomen, including Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected, and Bella Abzug, one of the first to advocate gay rights. "Shirley and Bella were not what the male members of Congress had come to expect from a female colleague," said former Rep.
Oct 21 2012
Women in Binders Belong in Power
San Francisco Chronicle
By Karen Middleton
 
"Binders full of women" was a hit in last week's presidential debate, but Gov. Mitt Romney had his facts wrong - again. Women - not Romney's staff - created those "binders full of women" to ensure that women were considered for posts in his administration. The women in those binders represent talented leadership that can be key to our collective success in our capitols and boardrooms.
 
Romney said, "I went to my staff - gosh, can't we find some women? Can you help us find folks?" But Romney didn't recruit.
Oct 17 2012
'Binders Full of Women' Sweeps Social Media
San Francisco Chronicle

By Carla Marinucci

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's comment during Tuesday's presidential debate about gathering "binders full of women" for possible hires when he was Massachusetts governor spiraled into the social media stratosphere within minutes.

Oct 16 2012
Women Take Their Case to the Ballot
The New York Times
By Luisita Lopez Torregrosa 
 
NEW YORK — This is the year when, after a long period of political stagnation, a record number of American women — feminists, liberals, pro-choice middle-of-the-roaders, conservatives — got off the sidelines and stepped up to run for office.
 
“We’d been going downhill,” said Karen Middleton, president of Emerge America, a 12-state donor-funded group that trains female Democratic candidates. “Now the number of women running for Congress could break all records” for women in the U.S.
Aug 23 2012
On Party, Platform and Power: Democrats Are Good for Women
The Huffington Post
By Karen Middleton
 
I have had a lot of conversations with voters who don't like political party politics and who don't see a big difference between Republicans and Democrats. There is a call for everyone to just get along and meet somewhere in the middle (which never actually turns out to be in the middle).
 
I have always believed, and this week my belief was reconfirmed, that there is indeed a significant difference between political parties. At the center of these differences are the core values of each party.
Aug 21 2012
The Wake-up Call
The Huffington Post
By Karen Middleton
 
I had another "Wake-up Call" this week. No, not from the hotel computer, but another motivating conversation that keeps me working every day to change the face of American politics by electing more Democratic women to public office. The wake-up call is common in my work.
Apr 9 2012
The War Room with Jennifer Granholm
http://current.com/shows/the-war-room/videos/women-in-politics-its-time-to-step-...
Mar 5 2012
Women and the Leadership Gap
Newsweek: The Daily Beast

It’s been almost a half-century since the modern women’s movement began. So why aren’t more women in positions of power? Leslie Bennetts reports.

When a Congressional committee hearing presented an all-male panel of witnesses to discuss female contraception last month, Rep Carolyn Maloney made news by demanding, “Where are the women?”

Blog Posts

May 7 2013
From Saigon to Emerge
By Van Lan Truong, Emerge California Class of 2013
 
The year 2013 is certainly another major milestone in my life, after having left Vietnam 
and resettled in the US in 1975. As I look back at my life’s journey, being a part of 
Emerge has been nothing but wonderful- as one of my girlfriends has commented 
“Girrrl, you have come a long way!” Yes, indeed I have, both physically and mentally; 
Physically, I have lived in many major cities in the U.S.
May 3 2013
When to Discuss the “L” Word
By Emiley Lockhart, Emerge Massachusetts
 
It’s not a pretty topic.  We try to avoid it and fill our heads with “winning strategies” and “winning words.”  But it’s out there and it’s about time we are honest: there is a chance you can … Lose.  In fact, I just did.
 
It started simply enough: I launched my first political campaign about a month after joining Emerge.  It seemed like a natural thing to do given the timing and the classes.
Apr 16 2013
Reaching Pro-Women Voters and Candidates
By Lori Droste, Emerge California Class of 2013
 
Extensive research indicates that men and women assess candidates differently and care about different issues. This research has found that the voting “gender gap” is significant and can range from 4 to 19 percentage points (Carroll, 2010). Men are more likely to favor candidates who support strong national security and more privatization (Burrell, 2005) while women are concerned with issues of health care and education.
Apr 5 2013
New Blog Post by Ronda Scholting, Emerge Colorado Class of 2013

By Ronda Scholting,o Emerge Colorado Class of 2013

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment when the bravado and self-assurance that we all seem to possess when we’re very young turns to caution and self-doubt.

When the decisions that used to be made so quickly and without much thought turn to decisions made slowly with the agonizing weight of pros and cons and what-ifs.

Apr 5 2013
A Follow-Up Conversation with Kari Chisholm of Mandate Media on Digital Strategies for Electeds
Thank you to everyone at Emerge that joined me for the webinar on how to use social media to grow your online audience and turn them into engaged activists.
 
 
I was able to answer a bunch of questions, but there were a few left hanging when time ran out.  Here's some short takes.
Apr 4 2013
Part of the Solution
By Priscilla Flint, Emerge Massachusetts Class of 2013    
   
 
Emerge, Massachusetts gave me the opportunity to learn new skills needed to consider a successful run for political office. The training afforded me with an opportunity to meet a diverse group of women from across Massachusetts that share my passion for change.
Mar 20 2013
Lean In...Sit At The Table…Take The Leap…and Dance
By Elizabeth Baca, MD, MPA, Emerge California Class of 2013
 
There has been so much buzz around Sheryl Sandberg’s new book, Lean In, that I felt compelled to add to the discussion.  I uniquely identify with her on a few fronts,  as a young 4 year-old my family actually had a baby blue colored t-shirt made for me with my photo on it and the phrase, “I’m the Boss!”  Apparently, I wanted to be in charge and had an opinion about everything.
Mar 12 2013
Worth the Investment
by Erica Mattison, Emerge MA Class of 2013
 
There’s no doubt about it – it’s an investment.  Many women who consider enrolling in Emerge are concerned that with all the other things they have going on in their lives, they will not be able to also find the time to participate in Emerge.  With work, family, civic activities, and school, it can be hard to find the time to squeeze in another time commitment.  But I think I speak for dozens if not hundreds of women, when I say Emerge is an investment worth making.<span style="text-decoration: underline;
Mar 6 2013
Early Choices on the Path to Politics
Mar 5 2013
One Small Victory In A Very Long Battle

Press Releases

May 24 2011
Learn why women don't run for office from a national expert

San Francisco - National leading expert on gender and politics comes to speak to a politically engaged group of legal professionals in San Francisco.

Emerge America's Webinars

Emerge Webinar Series: Dr. Jennifer L. Lawless discusses her brand new report
Webinar File

Dr. Jennifer L. Lawless, a national leader and researcher on women and politics, is the Director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University.

Dr. Lawless discussed her brand new report, Men Rule: The Continued Under-Representation of Women in U.S. Politics. The study, which was co-written with Richard L. Fox, takes a hard look at the substantial gender gap in political ambition that exists today in the United States. They conclude that when women do run for public office, they are just as likely as their male counterparts to win their races.

How and When Do I Respond? The Art of Messaging in Politic Life.
Webinar File
Each day we are barraged with information, news stories and headlines. How can we create the headlines consistent with our values? How can we support national messages around 'hot' topics like choice, reproductive freedom and women's rights? Join us for an informative discussion that shares key resources, strategies and approaches to messaging.
 
Panelists:
 
Ted Miller
Director of Communications and Online Advocacy Strategies
NARAL Pro-Choice America
 
Eric Sapp
Founding Partner of the Eleison Group and
Consultant to Media Matters Action Network
 
Moderator:
 
Wendy Strout
Executive Director
Emerge Wisconsin
The Truth About Voting Rights: Why We Must Protect This Fundamental Right
The Truth About Voting Rights
In the last year, a wave of new legislation has passed around the country that has made it harder for eligible Democratic voters to cast their ballots. As a result, millions of citizens will find it more difficult to participate in the 2012 election.
 
We invite you to join us to learn cutting edge information on:
-The newest social science evidence of voter fraud 
-The country's current landscape for voter identification rules at the polls 
-Voter suppression and how they affect the young, low income, elderly, and communities of color
 
Panelists:
Emilio De Torre
Director of Youth and Programs
ACLU of Wisconsin
 
Anita Johnson
Organizer
Citizen Action of Wisconsin Fund
 
Dr. Lorraine C. Minnite
Author of The Myth of Voter Fraud
Associate Professor
Department of Public Policy and Administration
Rutgers University-Camden
 
Moderator:
Elizabeth Sawyer
Executive Director
Emerge Kentucky
Equal Means Equal: The ERA Education Project
The ERA Education Project
"Women's equality is the global civil rights issue of the 21st century.  Without the legal basis for equality, all the rest of our work amounts to building skyscrapers on quicksand."  
 
- Kamala Lopez, Founder and Executive Director of The ERA Education Project
 
More than 75% of us think men and women have equal rights under the law, while 96% of us think we should.  But we don't.
 
The ERA Education Project is a multi-platform national media campaign to raise 
awareness about and educate the public on the need for full federal equality for women. Join Kamala Lopez and Bettina Hager as we explore the groundbreaking work of the organization and why it's important, as well as what has been achieved so far and our next steps together in the battle for equality.
 
With:
Kamala Lopez
Founder and Executive Director
The ERA Education Project
 
Bettina Hager
Co-Chair
The ERA Task Force
 
Moderated by:
Reena Szczepanski
Executive Director
Emerge New Mexico
 
 
 
Strategies for Online Engagement
Strategies for Online Engagement: A Primer for Candidates, Electeds, and Activists
A Primer for Candidates, Electeds and Activists
 
Are you planning to:
 
  • Run for office?
  • Support a candidate running for office?
  • Drive support behind an issue campaign?  
If so, we encourage you to watch this webinar presentation on: 
 
Campaigning Online, Growing your Online Presence, and  Blogging for Impact
 
Featuring award-winning new media innovator and writer
Sarah Granger (Emerge CA 2005)
 
Please join us for an informative look at the pivotal role played by digital media strategies in campaigns that win. Learn about best practices that can help you drive the message behind your candidate or cause and inspire your online audience to amplify that message for you. 
 
With:
Founder, PublicEdge
Partner, Women's Campaign Consortium
 
Moderated by:
Executive Director, Emerge Oregon
 
Sarah Granger is an award-winning Democratic new media strategist and blogger. She directed the launch of the “first true weblog to be put up by a politician,” according to Wired News and political analysts, while directing Internet strategy for Senator Gary Hart's 2004 U.S. presidential exploratory organization. Sarah currently blogs for The San Francisco Chronicle at SFGate.com, The Huffington Post and BlogHer. Other publishing credits include MSNBC.com, techPresident, Forbes Russia, WSJ.com, MOMocrats.com, and Spectrum magazine, where she covered the Democratic National Convention and the White House. She has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS, MTV Japan, RT, ABC and NPR.
 

Due to technical error, the first three minutes of the webinar recording were interrupted, during which time Sarah Granger was introduced and her background given. We are therefore including as a pdf attachment Sarah Granger's biography. We apologize for the inconvenience, and encourage you to read more about Sarah's extensive professional experience.

Online Engagement Strategies by Sarah Grainger, Sarah Granger Biography.pdf

Put Yourself On The Ballot

Learn about the Emerge program, how to apply and get connected to our Council of Allies

Why You Should Run

Join Our Movement

Emerge America Signup Page

Contact Information
Address
Interests

Support Our Work

Emerge America needs your help to expand our training.

Contribute Now

Our Successes