OUR INITIATIVES

LEAD

WHY IT MATTERS

When women fully participate as voters, candidates, and elected or appointed officials, they help shape policies, laws, and funding in ways that positively benefit families and whole communities. 

Yet, we are missing out on women’s civic leadership. Despite having one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country, Washington women aren’t equally represented in elected or appointed positions.

  • Women hold just 37 percent of the Washington State legislature seats.
  • Washington has only had two women governors to date.
  • Only three Washington cities have majority women city councils.

OUR APPROACH

We launched the Lead initiative to increase the voices and representation of women in civic leadership — encouraging them to speak up, seek appointed or elected office, and lead authentically. The Lead initiative is expanding the leadership pipeline for women of all backgrounds and beliefs through three core strategies:

  • College Training: We host non-partisan trainings that inspire college women to get involved civically and build their leadership skills.
  • Civic Leadership Investments: We make grants to expand community leadership models that increase the roles of women in decision-making.
  • Appointments to Boards and Commissions: We provide training and support to women, and help connect them to leadership opportunities on city, county, and state level boards and commissions.

Together, these strategies are helping Washington women have greater participation, representation, and influence.

OUR PARTNERS

GET INVOLVED

Learn how you can support the voices and representation of women.