Run For Office
Why You Should Run for Office
Pretty Young Professional
June 28, 2011 | Pamela O’Leary
Yes, I mean you!
Have you ever thought of running for political office? Please take a few minutes to consider this realistic possibility.
The United States ranks far below most countries in the world in terms of women’s political representation. In fact, we are 87th out of 187 nations around the world with elected governments. The statistics are shocking – in 2011, only 16.4% of Congress and 23.5% of state legislatures are women. The key to changing this is to get young women to run for office.
You are qualified. The fact that you are reading Levo League means you care about your professional and personal development. Not everyone makes this investment in themselves, especially so early in their careers. In this moment, you are already on the right track to run.
Do you care about making a difference in the world?
Serving as an elected official is one of most effective ways to make a real positive impact in the lives of many.
It’s never too early to start running. A number of young women currently serve as elected officials nationwide. Newly elected Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and Congresswoman Martha Roby are both under the age of 40.
To really go far in politics, you need to start now.
It’s no surprise that 12 of the last 19 Presidents started their political careers before they were 35 years old. To become the Chair of a committee in Congress, one needs to serve for many years to establish tenure.
Women oftentimes need to be asked to run for office by someone they know and trust. Please tell another woman you know that you believe in her and that she should run. The Women’s Campaign Forum has an amazing online tool She Should Run where you can quickly nominate someone.
I am asking you to run.
Start preparing yourself for this next step by participating in trainings led by organizations such as: Running Start, The White House Project, EMILY’s List, the Susan B. Anthony Project, the Women’s Campaign School at Yale, Emerge America, or the Excellence in Public Service Series.
For a woman to finally take her rightful place in the White House, the 2012 elections are key. The 2012 Project is a national, non-partisan campaign to increase the number of women in Congress and state legislatures by taking advantage of the once-in-a-decade opportunities of 2012. Join the movement today.
