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January 23, 2012
The George Washington University to Offer “Elect Her–Campus Women Win” Training
Program Aims to Increase the Number of Women Running for Student Office
WASHINGTON - The George Washington University has been selected by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Running Start as one of the 30 campuses across the United States and Jamaica that will host “Elect Her–Campus Women Win” in 2012. Elect Her, the only nation-wide program of its kind, teaches collegiate women how to run for and win student government elections. This event will be held at GW on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, located at 800 21st St. NW, Room 403.
“This program is a great opportunity for women interested in collegiate leadership roles, providing them with the tools needed to win!,” said Peter Konwerski, senior associate vice president and dean of students. “This training will supply students with the skill set to run for elected office now and in the future, and will give them valuable leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of professions and in their communities.”
GW’s Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) is bringing this event to GW for the first time. “Elect Her—Campus Women Win” aligns with GSPM’s mission to educate and provide students and professionals with the tools, principles and values of participatory democracy, preparing them for careers as effective and ethical advocates and leaders.
Since 2008, AAUW and Running Start have worked together to encourage college women to run for student government. Building on their initial successes, the organizations launched the “Elect Her–Campus Women Win” training program in 2010. GSPM worked closely with Running Start to bring the Next Step program, which teaches young professional women about political and professional leadership, to GW in June 2011 and plans to host the event again at the university in 2012.
“Running Start is proud to partner with AAUW in offering college women a leg up in running for student government,” said Susannah Wellford Shakow, Running Start president and founder. “Programs like ‘Elect Her–Campus Women Win’ are a vital first step in making women feel comfortable with political power. We give college women the confidence, know-how and practical skills they need to run and win in their schools. We hope their experience will encourage them to consider running for public offices when they graduate.”
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation’s leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches and 500 college/university institutional partners. Since AAUW’s founding 130 years ago, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic and political. AAUW’s commitment to educational equity is reflected in its public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships and international connections. AAUW also co-sponsors the annual National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, which is preparing for its 27th year. The conference, which typically hosts approximately 500 attendees, will be held May 31–June 2, 2012, at the University of Maryland, College Park, and will once again feature the “Elect Her–Campus Women Win” training.
Running Start
Running Start is a nonprofit organization that brings young women to politics so that they are knowledgeable about the process, invested in the outcome and interested in participating as elected leaders. Our programs educate young women and girls about the importance of politics and imbue them with the skills they need to be leaders so that they can get the “running start” they need to achieve greater political power. With an earlier start in politics, women will climb higher on the leadership ladder, allowing more women to share in the decision-making power of this country.
GW’s Graduate School of Political Management
GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, the pioneer school in the nonpartisan study of political management and applied politics, offers graduate programs in political management, legislative affairs, public relations and PAC management, as well as international programs in Latin America and Europe. The school seeks to educate students and professionals in the tools, principles and values of participatory democracy; preparing them for careers as ethical and effective advocates and leaders at the international, national and local levels.
For more information about GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, visit: www.gspm.gwu.edu
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