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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.
Contact Us
Kerwin Hall, Room 109E on a map
Women & Politics Institute 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United StatesTo request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.
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
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
Paychecks as a women’s issue in 2024: “Anyone interested in the women's vote - or the vote of those interested in women's rights - in 2024 should pay attention to paychecks on the ballot. Hundreds of thousands of Americans (many of whom are “unlikely voters”) might actually turn out to 'vote themselves a raise' this year - with implications for important electoral races impacting all women in 2024,” says Shruthi Jayam, Associate Partner at Dalberg.
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
April 10: New York Times best-selling author Liza Mundy discussed her new book, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA, a “vivid, compelling, and important book” that offers a “riveting new perspective on history, revealing how women at the CIA ushered in the modern intelligence age, and how their silencing made the world more dangerous.” Watch the full replay here
Nov 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
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
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
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
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 here. Please help us spread the word and share it with interested family and friends.
Check out @AU_WPI’s May 2024 newsletter for recent event highlights, updates, and information on the #WeLead2025 application here: https://t.co/jy4IFX2z53
— Women & Politics Institute (@AU_WPI) May 1, 2024
Great advice to all WeLeaders and women running for office - lead with your qualifications and credentials which may include skills you gained in the office, at home, volunteering or in service roles #WomenLeaders https://t.co/QYXcfvknGo
— Women & Politics Institute (@AU_WPI) April 5, 2024
Our Gender on the Ballot research examines what motivates women and how they plan to participate this year. In case you missed it, you can watch the full panel here. Click to read the memo, the blog post, Axios coverage, and the press release. Read more.
WeLead Reader
A curated newsletter, delivered to inboxes on Saturday mornings, readers can catch up on a week’s worth of important new developments about women running for office, serving as leaders and engaging in the political arena.
Gender on the Ballot Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news + gender analysis in politics.
WPI Newsletter
Sign up for the WPI Newsletter to view recent highlights and learn about upcoming opportunities and events.