Encouraging and Supportive

By Lisa Gauthier, East Palo Alto City Councilmember and Emerge California Class 2013   Recently I received a congratulations greeting card with a handwritten note from a lady I met months ago during a luncheon honoring women in Berkeley, CA.  During our brief conversation, we chatted about my candidacy, platform,… Read More

Recognizing Talent in An Unexpected Context

By Venus D. Johnson, Emerge California Class of 2013   I came across this phrase a few weeks ago in an article I was reading. Something about it grabbed me, so I quickly copied it down on a post-it note and tucked away it in a safe place. As I prepared to sit down and write my blog, I pulled out my post-it note and began to write …    Too often women are overlooked when it comes to jobs, promotions, appointments, elected office, appointments, and so on and so on. Read More

Running for Office and My Dying Cat

By Katy Miessner, Emerge California Class of 2013    On June 5, 2005, a decrepit, starving gray cat, which had been hanging around our house, was lying in the middle of the street.  On my way home from errands, I drove up to him.  Was he hit by a car?… Read More

WE

By Nicole Golden, Emerge Maine Class of 2013   As women we often need prodding beyond our reason to enter politics. Consider this my nudge to you.  As women we often need external validation to think being elected is a possibility for us. This is me telling you “You can!” As women we often need to feel as though we know it all before committing.  This is me telling you “You know enough just having lived this life.” I can say, and do, all of this because Emerge Maine and the people associated with it have done the same for me. Read More

Refusing to Allow the Perfect to Be the Enemy of the Good

By Amy Rose, Emerge California Class of 2013   This weekend, as part of our second Emerge California training session (on “planning your campaign”), my Emerge sisters and I explored a lengthy list of questions to ask ourselves before running for office: Questions about the skeletons that may lurk in… Read More

Inaugural Weekend

Jeannette Flores, Emerge California Class of 2013 This historic weekend marked the inauguration of our great president and celebrated the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  As we cheered and celebrated, we were reminded of the struggles of leaders that came before us and the need for humility, strength… Read More

A Kinder, More Effective Politics

By Kristina Egan, Emerge Maine Class of 2013   I recently saw the movie Lincoln and was deeply moved by it.  This astonishing man persuaded Congress to support the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, with his conviction, even while quietly buying votes by offering plum jobs to Democratic lawmakers. Quite a… Read More

People Matter

By Bettie Harris-Howard, Emerge Maine Class of 2013   These are times that need and require people to be involved in politics and government policies. There are many issues at both the state and national level that effect the most vulnerable people of our society. Read More

To Engage, or To Disengage?

By Ann Grabowski, Emerge California Class of 2013   Emerge America and my own chapter of Emerge California have been quite successful in engaging women in conversations about their own abilities to run for office and be successful. We talk day in and day out about the need to reach… Read More