AMES, Iowa -- With Hillary Rodham Clinton being the forerunner among Democratic candidates running for president, there has probably never been a greater national climate for women to pursue public office. And yet many women may be discouraged to seek office simply because they don't know how to make a run.
That's why the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University and the League of Women Voters of Ames, Iowa, are sponsoring Ready to Run®: Campaign Training for Women on Friday, June 1. The workshop -- which is designed for anyone considering seeking public office or working on a campaign -- will take place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Scheman Center at the Iowa State Center in Ames.
"The workshop presents a unique opportunity for potential candidates to hear directly from prominent elected and appointed women leaders, campaign consultants and party officials about how to literally get ready to run," said Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at ISU. "It offers two tracks -- one for those who have made the decision to run for office and one for those who want to learn more about getting involved politically -- as well as joint sessions on media training and fund raising."
Bystrom reports that the following political figures will participate in the workshop: State Representatives Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D-Ames) and Carmine Boal (R-Ankeny); former State Sen. Maggie Tinsman (R-Davenport); Ames Mayor Ann Campbell; Des Moines City Councilwoman Christine Hensley; Story County Supervisor Jane Halliburton (D-Ames); Mary Ann Spicer of the Iowa Employment Appeal Board; Diane Crookham-Johnson, former Finance Chair for the Republican Party of Iowa; JoDee Winterhof, Democratic campaign strategist; and Karen Slifka and Joe Shannahan, principals with the Lincoln Strategies public affairs firm in Des Moines.
Some topics that will be covered include positioning yourself for public office, developing a campaign plan, fund raising, interactive media training, and navigating political parties.
Registration forms and scholarship applications are available through download online at: www.las.iastate.edu/CattCenter. Registration is $75 before May 21 and $100 after that date. There is a $25 non-refundable deposit due at the time of registration. Checks should be made payable to the Carrie Chapman Catt Center.
Ready to Run® was established by the Center for American Women and Politics at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics and the League of Women Voters of Ames have adapted this program to encourage women in Iowa to seek public office.
Additional information may be available by contacting Julie Snyder-Yuly program coordinator, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics and the Women's Studies Program at ISU, at (515) 294-9867, or jlsnyder@iastate.edu.
