The Importance of Engaging Young Women

By Shannon Mason, Emerge California Class of 2013   I remember my father telling me “you need to find a husband who can support you” and my mother telling me “you are beautiful, you could be Miss America.”  What I did not hear was anyone telling me I could do… Read More

How a Republican Strategy Can Benefit Democrats

By Bari Williams, Emerge California Class of 2013   January 3, 2013 saw seventy-eight women sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives and 20 women sworn into the U.S. Senate, numbers compiled and verified by The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University.  This number comprises 18% of Congress’ legislators, with 75% of these elected being Democrats.  While this is a significant milestone, just shy of 100 female legislators in Congress, we still have a ways to go. Read More

Emerge Alumnae Win Big in 2012

2012 was a landmark year for Emerge candidates with a total of 184 women on the ballot and 105 wins across the country.  We surpassed our own expectations, and are poised to go even higher in 2014 and beyond. Read below to see all of the Emerge victories in each of our states!   Read More

Emerging Women, Today

By Aisha Wahab, Emerge California Class of 2013   Coming off the heels of a recent election is difficult. Waking up early, having no other campaign to work on leaves a person questioning what is next. Emerge California was the perfect decision for a person wanting to get their feet wet, with the hopes of eventually running for office. Sadly, less than 20% of politicians are women. Emerge is going to change that. Read More

Why We Need to Get Women Into the Pipeline Early

By Suzanne Franchetti, as posted on her blog Broadly Speaking, ceoHER   December 06, 2012   Over the past few weeks since the US elections concluded, it seems that everyone has been taking stock of the shift of power on Capitol Hill, including the unprecedented success women candidates enjoyed on November 6th. Read More

VAWA and the Lame Duck Congress

By Heidi Hall, Emerge California Class of 2013 and Congressional Candidate for 2014   As an Emerge 2013 Participant, and a newly announced candidate for the US Congress, District 01 in California, the VAWA and “lame duck” Congress have been heavy on my mind.   Our “lame duck” Congress, the 112th, is in its final few days before it is no more.  What to do in the final flurry of bill-making, especially when so much has stacked up to be done in this historic “do-nothing” Congress. Read More

Never Lose Faith

By Lolita D. Miller, Emerge California Class of 2013   My hands were shaking; my blood was pumping like blazing fire.  My heart raced with great power; it was like the melody of drums that communed with the war dance. It reminded me of my ancestors preparing for battle . . . this was the essence of my heart . . . this was my moment to embrace Emerge. The moment of truth . . Read More

CA Legislature

By Katie Zoglin, Emerge California Class of 2013   On Monday, the California State Legislature will swear in its largest freshman class in over 70 years. This class will bring in what has been described as a “Democratic supermajority” but also a reduction in the number of women representing Californians in Sacramento. Read More

What am I doing? Politics? Again??

By Robin Beck, Class of 2013   I worked all day at the high school and came home to make sure that all the patrons of my buying club are able to get and pay for their groceries. After a chat with the treasurer, my family and I head to the barn to feed the calf, sheep, hens, and rabbits. I check on one rabbit, Jewell, extra close. She’s due any day now. We get done and come in. I fix supper. After supper, we slice up vanilla beans and put them to soak. In six months, we’ll have homemade vanilla extract. Read More

Who leads the Democrats in Congress matters

By Karen Middleton, Emerge America President   Coming off the heels of a recent election is difficult. Waking up early, having no other campaign to work on leaves a person questioning what is next. Emerge California was the perfect decision for a person wanting to get their feet wet, with the hopes of eventually running for office. Sadly, less than 20% of politicians are women. Emerge is going to change that.   I am constantly reminded that despite our continued success to elect more women at all levels of office (and 76 Emerge women won last Tuesday), we must continue to pay attention and be mindful of the political chatter about who should be in leadership. Read More