Education and Training

Campaign Trainings for Women

Emerge Massachusetts
Sponsored by Emerge America
Emerge Massachusetts is a political leadership program for Democratic women, part of the Emerge America network. The Emerge mission is to identify, educate, and inspire Democratic women who want to pursue careers in politics at the local and state levels. Twenty to 25 applicants are chosen annually to participate in once-monthly weekend workshops over the course of six months.

For more information:
Taylor Woods-Gauthier, Executive Director
Emerge Massachusetts
41 West Street
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 367-4930
contact@emergema.org

MWPC Campaign Skills School
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
Founded in 1971, the Massachussets Women's Political Caucus trains women from multiple parties in skills needed to run successful, effective political campaigns. The annual one-day Campaign Skills School provides two tracks of campaign training - for candidates and campaign staff. Attendees learn from national trainers in an interactive setting with workshops in:

• fundraising,
• media,
• communications,
• organization building,
• using the Internet for fundraising,
• building your database,
• getting your message out and
• campaign finance law.

For more information:
Priti Rao, Associate Director
Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
9B Hamilton Place
Boston, MA 02108
priti@mwpc.org
info@mwpc.org
(617) 451-9294

 

Leadership Training Programs (women and men)

Civic Leadership Institute
Sponsored by Boston Cares
The Civic Leadership Institute at Boston Cares has two components: developing individuals’ leadership strengths and styles and applying practical skills through civic participation and community organizing. Fellows commit to an opening retreat, 10 monthly evening meetings, and a graduation. In addition, Fellows commit 20-30 hours applying practical skills through projects focused on political action, issue advocacy, board member development, philanthropy and fundraising.

For more information:
Lace Anderson Garland, Senior Manager of Programs
Boston Cares
190 High Street
Boston, MA 02110
lgarland@bostoncares.org
(617) 422-0910, ext. 213

New Leaders Council Boston
New Leaders Council (NLC) was formed in 2005 to train and support the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs—young professionals in their twenties and thirties who are leading industries, setting trends, and building institutions that support robust civic and political life in a global America. NLC accomplishes this mission primarily through the NLC Institute - a political entrepreneurship training program held 10 days over a five-month period that builds local teams of young professionals in 19 cities across the nation. NLC Fellows learn entrepreneurship, leadership, and political management skills from over volunteer faculty from relevant industries. Fellows are also paired with career mentors, join a national alumni network, and agree to fundraise to support the next class of Fellows.

For more information:
Charles Francis, Director
David Halbert, Director
cfrancis@newleaderscouncil.org
dhalbert@newleaderscouncil.org

Organizations Committed to Political Parity

Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
Sponsored by the National Women's Political Caucus
The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus (MWPC), a chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus, is a multipartisan organization that promotes the participation and involvement of women of all ages in the political process. The organization was founded in 1971 for the purpose of increasing the number of women elected and appointed to public office and public policy positions. Fundraising and candidate support are provided through MWPC's political action committee.

For more information:
Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
9B Hamilton Place, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02108
info@mwpc.org
(617) 451-9294

Massachusetts Federation of Republican Women
Through affiliate chapters in nearly every state, the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) promotes the principles, objectives and policies of the Republican Party; elects Republican candidates; informs the public through political education and activity; and increases the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. In working toward these objectives, the NFRW concentrates its efforts in the areas of educating, communicating, recruiting, campaigning, fundraising, training and legislative action.

For more information:
Celeste Wilson, President
Massachusetts Federation of Republican Women
7 Berry Street
Billerica, MA 01821

Massachusetts NOW
Sponsored by the National Organization for Women
Founded in 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States whose goal is to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW is a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization that takes a holistic approach to women's rights. The organization's official priorities are winning economic equality and securing it with an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will guarantee equal rights for women; championing abortion rights, reproductive freedom and other women's health issues; opposing racism and fighting bigotry against lesbians and gays; and ending violence against women. NOW has over 550 chapters in all 50 states that participate in education and advocacy activities. Information on state and local chapters of NOW is available on the national NOW website and through state chapters.

For more information:
Ellie Adair, Policy and Operations Manager
Massachusetts Chapter of NOW
727 Atlantic Avenue, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
ellie@massnow.org
massnow@massnow.org
(617) 254-9130

Women’s Pipeline for Change
The Women’s Pipeline for Change is building a sustainable infrastructure to support progressive women of color as they enter, navigate and move up the pipeline of political leadership. The Pipeline is a coalition comprised of progressive women of color leaders, women of color-led organizations and allies from various sectors of public service. The Pipeline’s initiatives aim to understand, build and support progressive women of color in public service that complement current organizations and resources in Massachusetts.

For more information:
Women's Pipeline for Change
c/o The Partnership for Democracy and Education, LLC
675 Massachusetts Ave., 8th Fl., Suite C
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 499-9901
info@pipelineforchange.us

 

Women’s Political Action Committees (PACs)

Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus PAC
The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus PAC provides support to qualified, pro-choice women candidates running for legislative and statewide offices via the MWPC endorsement process. Selected races for local office are also included in the endorsement process.

For more information:
Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
9B Hamilton Place, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02108
info@mwpc.org
(617) 451-9294

 

Political Appointments Projects

MassGAP
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
The Massachusetts Government Appointments Project (MassGAP) was founded in 2002 as a bi-partisan coalition of women’s groups whose purpose is to increase the number of women appointed by the new governor to senior-level cabinet positions, agency heads and selected authorities and commissions in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC) is the lead sponsor of this coalition.

For more information:
MassGAP
c/o Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
9-B Hamilton Place, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02108
massgap@mwpc.org
(617) 451-9294

Women’s Legislative Caucuses

Massachusetts Women's Legislative Caucus
The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators was formed in 1975 with a mission to enhance the economic status and equality of women and to encourage and support women in all levels of government.  In its thirty-sixth year, the Caucus comprises 23.5 percent of the Legislature and has one of its own, Senate President Therese Murray of Plymouth, presiding over the Senate. In the House, Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia A. Haddad of Somerset is the highest ranking woman member. Minority party leadership is provided by Assistant Minority Whip, Elizabeth Poirier of North Attleborough.

The 2011 bi-cameral and bi-partisan Caucus of Women Legislators is comprised of 36 members of the House and 11 members of the Senate. Representing districts from across the state, the women of the Legislature are as diverse in demographics as in their politics. The Caucus’ current chairs are Senator Karen Spilka of Ashland and Representative Cory Atkins of Concord.

Currently, 173 women have served in the Massachusetts Legislature compared to more than 20,000 men. 

For more information:
Joanne Muti
Executive Director
Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators
State House, Room 460
Boston, MA 02133-1054
joanne.muti@mahouse.gov
(617) 722-2266