She Should Run Ambassador: My Year-end Review

Equity should be a goal everyone gets behind which is why I was honored to be an ambassador for She Should Run. She Should Run is changing the face of government in America at every level where more than 26,000 women have been inspired to consider a run for office through She Should Run (SSR). 

I joined for many reasons but mostly because I am the mom of four children and the best way I know how to teach my children is to SHOW them how. As a mom of 2 girls, I have taught them from a very young age, to pursue a career in any area they want. Since not all doors are open, we have to fight for equity, diversity and inclusion. 

I have to talk the talk but also walk the walk. If I want society to be a better place for everyone from politics to all other areas, then I have to get behind folks and orgs that are doing the work.

We know there are many long-held beliefs about gender and gender roles, so I joined She Should Run to help debunk them. I carry the view that women can lead and that participation shouldn’t be just for a privilege few but that all women should have a chance.

My year as an ambassador was fueled, in part, by being part of a team that used my social media presence to help dismantle old beliefs and amplify others' stories. I shared, posted, blogged about, retweeted to help spread the word~grassroots style.

I shared about She Should Run programs and talked to folks in-person about how they are an approachable starting place to network for women leaders considering a future run by providing community, resources, and growth opportunities. They even have an incubator.

Research shows that when women are elected to political positions, they make a huge difference for their community and impact generations to come. They make positive changes and create communities that contribute to wellbeing, poverty reduction, family welfare, and more.

I enjoyed being part of a community where women are recognized and empowered to make a difference. SSR put in place a system to initiate change through their Team250K which is a collective effort led by donors to drive financial resources, passion, and talents towards seeing 250,000 women running for office by 2030.

We know that when women run for office they win at the same rates as men. Yet women are not encouraged and recruited at the same rate as men. Their Ask a Woman to Run tool provides a way for individuals to tell them about great women leaders they know who should consider a run for office. Once women are ready to take their first step towards public office, their first-of-its-kind She Should Run Incubator offers resources and a community that meets them where they are in their paths to elected leadership. Over 21,000 women have been inspired to run for office through She Should Run since the 2016 election.

Here are more facts from their website:

Women are underrepresented at all levels in the 500,000+ elected offices across the U.S. That is why She Should Run is committed to getting at least 250,000 women to run for local, state, and federal offices by 2030.

And when more women run...

• More women lead: As more and more She Should Run Incubator graduates become elected officials at all levels of office, they become role models to girls and young women; normalize women’s leadership, changing the culture of women in politics; and amplify the need for gender parity in office.
• More voices will be heard and more challenges met: By encouraging more women to run, She Should Run is building a more effective and representative government that can meet the challenges of the 21st century.

So, as my year comes to an end, I may be ending my official ambassadorship but I will not be ending my effort to continue SSR's mission and work. As a woman, our experiences are valuable. Our representation is needed. If you're interested in learning more about being an ambassador or joining the growing movement of future women elected leaders, head to She Should Run and help change the face of government in America at every level.