Oganization Recruits and Trains Women for Elected Office
Louisville, Ky.– This is already an historic year for women, with the first woman ever to be nominated for president from a major political party. But, our work is not over. While Hillary Clinton sits at the top of the ticket, Emerge Kentucky is training female leaders here in the Commonwealth to continue to break the glass ceiling. Emerge Kentucky, the state’s premier candidate-training program for women, will accept applications for its 2017 class until Nov. 1, 2016.
Emerge Kentucky is an affiliate of Emerge America, which is training the next generation of female Democratic leaders across the country. Up to 25 women will be selected to participate in the 2017 class that begins in January 2017. Emerge Kentucky’s curriculum includes training in public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, field operations, labor and endorsements, networking, media skills and messaging and ethics in politics. Participants meet monthly for six months. The statewide program will host seven monthly training sessions at various locations around Kentucky.
“Emerge Kentucky prepares women to face any challenge as a candidate by giving them the tools they need to win and the network of support both during and after the campaign. Emerge is changing the face of Kentucky politics. Apply today and join the movement,” states Jennifer A. Moore, founder and board chair.
Emerge Kentucky’s goal is to increase the number of women in elected office at all levels. Kentucky currently ranks 43rd among state legislatures for female representation. The General Assembly is less than 20 percent women, and Kentucky has elected only five women to statewide office in over 30 years.
Emerge Kentucky has trained 140 women since its founding in 2009. Alumnae include current elected officials such as Louisville Metro Council Member Cindy Fowler, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council member Angela Evans, and state Representative Rita Smart (81st district). There are 23 Emerge Kentucky alumnae on this year’s ballot including U.S. Congressional candidate (6thDistrict) Nancy Jo Kemper, KY House of Rep. candidate McKenzie Cantrell (38th District), KY State Senate candidate Janice Odom (21st District), and KY House of Rep. candidate Joy Gray (7th District). See attached for a complete list of the 23 candidates on this year’s ballot. For a complete listing of Emerge Kentucky alumnae please visit www.emergeky.org.
The deadline is Nov. 1, 2016 and the application is available by contacting Emerge Kentucky at www.Emergeky.org or e-mail: contact@emergeky.org. For more information, contact Emerge Kentucky Alumnae Relations Manager Alexis Hebert.