Feminist Education Series 2017-2018: "Gender and Politics"
Fall Programs
Jennifer Lawless - "Why Women Don't Run for Office and What Happens When They Do"
Friday, November 10, 2017
12:00pm to 1:30pm
Women's and Gender Center | Keefe 211
Claims of bias against female candidates abound in American politics. From superficial media coverage to gender stereotypes held by voters, the conventional wisdom is that women routinely encounter a formidable series of obstacles that complicate their path to elective office. Jennifer Lawless presents original research to refute this prevailing view and argues that the declining novelty of women in politics, coupled with the polarization of the Republican and Democratic parties, has left little space for the sex of a candidate to influence modern campaigns.
When they run for office, male and female candidates not only perform equally well on Election Day - they also face a very similar electoral landscape. The main reason women remain under-represented is that theyʼre less likely to emerge as candidates in the first place. Lawless will discuss the factors that contribute to this gender gap in political ambition and recommend strategies for closing it.
Presented by the Women's and Gender Center, Reproductive Justice Alliance, and Sexuality Women's and Gender Studies in collaboration with Student Activities, College Republicans, College Democrats, and Political Science.
*Lawless' research is on women candidates running for Congress in general elections in 2010 and 2014. The women candidates in these years were all cisgender.
Craftivist! Feminist Tote-Bags Event
Friday, December 8, 2017
5:00 to 6:30 pm
Women's and Gender Center | Keefe 211
In a Feminist Education Series and Craftivist! join the program, come join the WGC for screenprinting on Tote bags!
Spring Programs
#ElectHer: A Daylong Training for College Women on How to Run for Office
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Noon to 4 pm
Alumni House
Join the WGC on Saturday, February 17th from 12-4pm in the Alumni House for training for college women on how to run for political office on campus and in your communities. In this training, we will develop public speaking skills, learn about campaign strategy, and build relationships among women and with women in political leadership positions. This training is open to anyone who identifies as a woman. Please register before noon on Wednesday, February 14ththrough this RSVP Form. Faculty, staff, and student leaders are encouraged to nominate someone to participate. If you have a student or peer who you feel would benefit from this training, you can nominate them here. Brunch will be provided. This program is co-sponsored by the Center for Community Engagement and Campus Diversity and Student Leadership.
About the Program
Women make up half of the population, but less than one in four elected leaders are women. When women run, they win at the same rates as men - the problem is that there aren’t enough women running. Research shows that engaging women in politics in college is key to increasing the number of women in public office. More than 56% of Congresswomen got their start in student government. On most college campuses, women are equally represented in student government, but underrepresented in executive leadership and especially at the most prestigious schools.
During this workshop, participants will:
- Discuss the importance of women running for office.
- Examine the issues they care about.
- Map out their support networks.
- Craft and deliver and elevator speeches.
- Learn about campaign strategy.
- Meet female role models who have run for public office in their community.
- Network with students who currently serve on their campus student government.
SCHEDULE:
Noon - Brunch and Check-in
12:30 - Event Begins - Check-in and Networking
1:00 - Introduction & Activities
1:40 - Speech and Q&A with Aditi Krishnamurthy, AAS President
2:10 - Excercise: Building Your Network
2:20 - Gina-Louise Sciarra, Ward 4 City Councilor, Northampton
2:50 - Break
3:00 - Elevator Speech
3:50 - Closing
About the Facilitator:
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Danielle Prendergast is an adjunct professor of political science. Until recently, she was a higher education lobbyist who has represented two of Maryland’s historically black institutions, Coppin State University and Bowie State University. Danielle’s experience spans over 20 years as a policy specialist and advocate committed to addressing issues of access and equity on behalf of vulnerable and under-served communities. She has lobbied before Congress and state legislatures in Maryland, Florida, and Georgia on energy and the environment, K-12 and higher education, and civil rights and liberties issues. She has also consulted on several issue campaigns around returning citizens, reproductive justice, and economic justice. Danielle holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from American University, a Master's degree in Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University, and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maryland at College Park.
About the Elected Official
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Gina-Louise Sciarra is in her third term as the Ward 4 City Councilor in Northampton and was unanimously elected Vice-President of the council by her colleagues. As the downtown councilor, she chairs the City Council Committee on Community Resources, vice-chairs the Transportation and Parking Commission and sits on the City Council Committee on Finance. Also for Northampton, Gina-Louise is the Ward 4 Chair for the Northampton Democratic City Committee and is currently working on a “Take Back the House” summit and regional organizing effort. She is the 2018 Event Coordinator for the Wild Goose Chase, which is the local organization Whole Children’s annual, inclusive, all-ability 5K and kids’ carnival. Additionally, she is on the Board of Directors of Behavioral Health Network, Inc., a major regional health service provider for mental illness, substance abuse and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gina-Louise’s professional life has spanned academia, politics, development and community preservation. She held positions at a national Democratic political consulting firm and in the National ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project, and then earned an M.Phil in sociology, studying gender and racial inequality in STEM. Before running for office herself in Northampton, she was the Major Gifts Officer for the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters, ran a $2M capital campaign for the historic restoration of the landmark First Churches meetinghouse in downtown Northampton, and managed local political campaigns.
WGC Voter Registration Drive
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April 11 to 26, 2018
The Midterm elections are coming up soon. The WGC is hosting a voter registration drive from April 11 to 26th. You can either stop by the WGC to register to vote at our Voter Registration Station or join us for our tabling dates on April 11 and 26 from noon to 2 pm.