Real Women Run is holding its annual all-day nonpartisan training on Saturday, January 11, 2014 to empower women to participate fully in public life and leadership through elected political office at all levels, appointments to public boards and commissions, working on campaigns, or simply learning more about our political system. Women throughout the state are welcome.
This informative, fast-paced training will feature Nancy Conway, former editor of The Salt Lake Tribune, as the keynote speaker on women in Utah politics, and a diverse group of female panelists and presenters that will offer inspiration, knowledge, and practical advice in a welcoming, nonpartisan forum. The morning panel, moderated by Fox 13 anchor Nineveh Dinha, features former State Senator Carlene Walker, former Salt Lake City Mayor Deedee Corradini, new Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson, and former political candidate Josie Valdez.
Breakout session presenters include former Governor Olene Walker (“Why Run for Office? Find Your Message”); Springboard Utah founders Ann Mackin and Ashlee Burt (“Public Boards and Commissions”); Maura Carabello of The Exoro Group (“Campaign Research”); new Bountiful City Councilwoman Kendalyn Harris and Salt Lake County Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn (“Campaign Financing/Fundraising”); conservative political activist and former legislator Holly Richardson (“Campaign Management/Field Organization”); and media pros Peg McEntee, Amanda Dickson, and Jennifer Napier-Pearce (“Utilizing Media – Social and Traditional”).
A variety of experts will be available to attendees during the luncheon for conversation and advice. “Utah women are remarkably capable, and they bring many valuable skills and important perspectives to political office at all levels of government. All they need is opportunity, encouragement, training, and support. That’s the purpose of Real Women Run. We look forward to giving Utah women of all political parties who are interested in running for office the tools they need to run hard and run well. If women want to serve on a public board or commission first, or help with a campaign, we’ll prepare them for those opportunities too,” said former state legislator Sheryl Allen, Vision 2020 delegate and RWR founding member.
At the national level, women won seats in the U.S. Congress in record numbers in 2012, giving them the strongest representation they have ever had in the U.S. House and Senate – 77 women now serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and 20 in the U.S. Senate. Women also came out in record numbers to cast their votes for the President, Senate and House races and key state initiatives.
But there is much work to do in Utah, which ranks 46th in the nation based on our proportion of female members in the state legislature – just 16.3%. No women represent Utah in the U.S. Congress or hold statewide elected office. Despite this lack of political representation, statistics show that women running for office win elections at the same rate as men, but nationwide, fewer women choose to take the initial step to run for office.
WHAT: Real Women Run training for Utah women who are interested in running for public office, being appointed to public boards and commissions, working on campaigns, or simply learning more about our political system.
WHEN: Saturday, January 11, 2014, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Salt Lake Community College, Miller Campus, 9750 South 300, Sandy
FEES: $15 regular; $10 if a student or current member of AAUW, or League of Women Voters, or YWCA Utah
REGISTER: http://www.ywca.com
