Women2Women - Winter 2018 - 25

Work2Life

Are You Ready to Run?
A

re You Ready to Run? For office that is! Have you ever
asked yourself this question, "What would our world look like
if more women raised their hand and said YES to serving in office?"
Would outcomes change? Would civility return to the public square?
Would our communities look different? These are provocative questions
that will be a part of our lively discussion - Effecting Change - It's
Not Just About Running for Office, scheduled for January 31, 2018.
At this session, led by Julia Klein, Chairwoman and CEO of
C.H. Briggs, she will moderate a lively discussion with a number
of women who have run for an office. The panel will be comprised
of women who have taken the challenge head on and are serving in
a variety of public positions locally and regionally. This is a diverse
group, but the common bond they all share is the passion to make
a difference in the places they serve. Panelists include:
* Sandy Graffius, Berks County Controller
* Carissa Johnson, Berks County Magisterial District Judge
* Michelle Kichline, Chester County Commissioner
* Olga Negron, Bethlehem City Councilwoman

This is not just a tutorial session on the process of running for office,
judgeship, or beyond. Rather it will be a look inside what made these
women stand up and say YES! to the call. You will leave with takeaways
that will make you think differently, and maybe you will see yourself
"Ready to Run" or able to assist a woman who takes on the challenge.
We will also use this evening to provide you with some great
tools that are available regionally for those who might be inspired
by this session.
Here are some facts that you may find of interest about our
state of PA:
* In the Pennsylvania General Assembly, there are a total of 45 women.
* Of that 45, 36 are members of the Pennsylvania State House of
Representatives; they make up only about 17.7% of the House.
* The State Senate has 50 members; 9 are women, putting the
percentage of women in the State Senate at 18%.
* IN TOTAL, ABOUT 17.8% OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ARE WOMEN.
When you view the information on women in government in visual
form, it's startling. This data that informed the infographic below is

from an organization called Catalyst; their mission is to "accelerate
progress for women through workplace inclusion." Take a look, they
have an excellent website with great information for men and women.
About two years ago, the Pew Research Center did a study of
3,341 adults who had at some point run for office. This wasn't just
about Congress; Pew looked at those who had pursued anything
from school board slots to county government positions to national
office. Only a quarter of this group was female. Other studies, like
a research project performed by Jennifer Lawless at American
University, demonstrate that women consistently underestimated
their qualifications and perceived themselves differently than men.
This mirrors the ongoing thought process of many women, not only
about political office, but about their role in professional positions.
Here in Pennsylvania we have an excellent resource that has assisted
women with resources and a support system to prepare them for running
for office. Ready to Run - Pennsylvania provides bi-partisan political
training to encourage women to run for government leadership positions.
Their day-long program targets women considering or recently deciding
to run for political office, providing training and mentoring by campaign
professionals, political women, and officeholders. Ready to Run - PA is
part of a National Training Network of the Center for American Women
and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ). As a matter of fact,
there is an upcoming session in Philadelphia. Women2Women will be
offering two scholarships to this important workshop, and details are:

Date: Saturday, February 17, 2018
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Jefferson University (Philadelphia University + Thomas
Jefferson University), Home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College

So, are you interested in learning more and hearing from a wonderful
group of women who have raised their hands? Join us on January
31st, it may just change your life!
berkswomen2women.com 25
http://www.berkswomen2women.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Women2Women - Winter 2018
