Welcome to The 2012 Project Webinar

Connie Morella Former Congresswoman (MD)

Sharon Weston Broome State Senator (LA)

Debbie WalshDirector, CAWP

AWC MISSION: To champion the advancement of women across all communications

disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting

leadership and positioning its members at

the forefront of the evolving communications era.

Co-Sponsors

The Association for Women in Communications

American Medical Women’s Association MANA - A National Latina Organization

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum National Coalition of 100 Black Women

National Hispaña Leadership Institute Professional Women of Color Network

Rachel’s Network Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education Victory Fund

Women Impacting Public Policy Women’s Action for New Directions

Debbie Walsh is the director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. CAWP is nationally recognized as the leading source of scholarly research and current data about American women’s political participation. Its mission is to promote greater knowledge and understanding about women's participation in politics and government and to enhance women's influence and leadership in public life.

The 2012 Project is CAWP’s newest initiative.  

Center for American Women and Politics

Director

A Campaign to Increase the Number of Women in Congress and State Legislatures

Don’t get mad. Get elected.

We know the marquee names and faces of women in politics.

But these women obscure the norm.

Freshman class of the U.S. House of Representatives, 112th Congress (2011-2012)

Congress

State Legislature

Mayors

Governors

17%

24%12%17%

Though 51% of the population is female…..

Numbers for women of color, even more dismal…..

Congress

State Legislature

Governors

4.5%

4.8%

4.0%

The 2010 Election: Year of the Woman? Not so much.

For the first time since 1979, women lost ground in Congress

Largest percentage decline for women in state legislatures since the 1970s

No increase in number of female governors (6) and loss of women in executive leadership

One positive – first 2 women of color governors elected

Why don’t women run? REASONS

DIY

Why dowomen run? REASONS

BALLOT

Women make a difference.

The Solution:The 2012 ProjectThe 2012 Project is a national, non-partisan campaign to increase the number of women elected to Congress and state legislatures by taking advantage of the unique opportunities of 2012.

Women poised to be successful candidates

• Women leaders in the public and private sector with a track record or interest in community and civic involvement, with specific outreach to women leaders of color

• Women from fields currently underrepresented in government

Why not you? And why not now?

You can make a difference on importantissues of the day.

• Economic Policy

• Health Care

• Civil Rights

• Pay Equity

• The Environment

Connie Morella Former Congresswoman (MD)

Sharon Weston Broome State Senator (LA)

The 2012 Project Faculty

Connie MorellaConstance A. Morella served as Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) from 2003 until 2007. From 1987 until 2003, she represented Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives where she developed a national reputation as a leading advocate for women, children, and families. Previously, she served in the Maryland House of Delegates and is the only woman member of the Maryland General Assembly to be elected to the U.S. Congress.

In Congress, Ambassador Morella was a leader in efforts to promote economic growth through science and technology, serving as a member of the House Committee on Science and chairing the subcommittee on Technology. She was a member of the Committee on Government Reform and chaired the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia. She chaired the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, advancing efforts to promote access to micro-enterprise capital among women in developing countries and was Co-Chair of the Congressional Delegation to the U.N. Women’s Conference in Beijing.

Ambassador Morella has received numerous awards and recognitions including induction into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame, outstanding public service awards from the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. She was appointed by the President in 2010 to the American Battle Monuments Commission.

In 2009, she was appointed Ambassador in Residence at American University School of Public Affairs where she teaches “Women, Politics, and Public Policy.”

Sharon Weston Broome

Sharon Weston Broome's role as a public servant has spanned over two decades. She was re-elected to her third term to the Louisiana State Senate without opposition in 2011. Broome is the President Pro Tempore of the Louisiana State Senate. Senator Broome served in the Louisiana House of Representatives for 12 years and was the first female elected as Speaker Pro Tempore.

Senator Broome has been a vocal advocate for issues surrounding children and families. Broome is the national president of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL-Women). She is a recipient of the Morehouse College's Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builder's Award.

With two degrees in communications, Sharon has established herself as a nationally recognized speaker and communications consultant. As president of Sharon Broome Communications, Inc., she has made various national television appearances including Court's TV's Your Turn, PBS' Debates Debates and the Montel Williams Show. She served for five years as the 2 On Your Side reporter for WBRZ-TV (ABC-Baton Rouge).  The 2012 Project

Faculty

What you can do:

Leadership Institutes

Campaign Training

Fundraising Networks

Sign up to run – in 2012, 2014, or 2016 Fill out the candidate questionnaire Get connected

Not running in 2012? Help a woman who is.

www.The2012project.us

Every time a woman runs, women win.

Geraldine Ferraro

Why Not You? Why Not Now?

CONSIDER THIS YOUR INVITATION!