WeLead Campaign Training Program

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of WeLead's non-partisan campaign training program, and your support allows us to continue to offer the training at no cost to admitted applicants. Thank you for believing in our mission to close the gender gap in political leadership!

Gender on the Ballot

Gender on the Ballot is a nonpartisan project of AU’s Women & Politics Institute that examines and contextualizes gender dynamics in American politics. Originally co-founded by WPI and the Barbara Lee Family Foundation in 2019, Gender on the Ballot contributes to the dialogue on gender and politics through accessible content from experts and practitioners.

Electing More Women Helps All Of Us Build Wealth (And Vice Versa): Maddie McClung, Research and Advocacy Manager at The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, discusses how women building financial wealth can lead to greater representation in decision-making roles and drive systemic changes that benefit entire communities.

Kamala Harris Was Never Unqualified: Sophia Joseph, a student at American University argues that Kamala Harris’s loss in the 2024 presidential election was not due to lack of qualifications, but rather the result of deeply rooted racism and misogyny—specifically misogynoir, the intersection of racism and sexism that targets Black women.

Fall 2025 WPPL Courses

These core courses are being offered in Fall 2025 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.

WPI 'Women on Wednesdays' Recaps

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

Apr 16: Co-authors Dr. David E. Campbell and Dr. Christina Wolbrecht discussed their new book, See Jane Run: How Women Politicians Matter for Young People, with WPI’s Exec. Director Betsy Fischer Martin. The authors present vast evidence to show that when women hold elected office, they leave enduring impressions on young people across party and gender. Watch the full replay.

Oct 16: Following a screening of Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter, co-producers/co-directors Christy Carpenter WCL/’95 and Abby Ginzberg discussed the impact and legacy of this influential feminist leader with Washington Post Political Columnist Karen Tumulty and Zakiya Thomas, President & CEO of the ERA Coalition and Fund for Women's Equality. Watch full replay.

Oct 23: Nancy LeaMond, EVP and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer at AARP, Margie Omero, Principal at the polling firm GBAO, and Kristen Soltis Anderson,  Founding Partner at Echelon Insights, discussed findings from their latest She’s the Difference poll on issues of importance to women voters 50+ leading up to the 2024 elections. Watch full replay.