小蓝视频 SPA鈥檚 Women & Politics Institute Is Permanent Home to Gender on the Ballot
Washington, D.C. (August 22, 2024) 鈥 The Women & Politics Institute (WPI) at 小蓝视频鈥檚 School of Public Affairs (SPA) announced that it will now exclusively operate the non-partisan project, Gender on The Ballot, and house the Foundation鈥檚 governor鈥檚 research archives, supported with a $500,000 from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation (BLFF). Originally co-founded by WPI and BLFF in 2019, Gender on the Ballot, explores and contextualizes gender dynamics in U.S. elections.听
This transition follows BLFF鈥檚 announcement earlier this year that it will wind down its operations by December 2024. The transfer agreement ensures the continuation of Gender on the Ballot under WPI鈥檚 stewardship. 听In addition, WPI and 小蓝视频 will now catalogue and house BLFF鈥檚 archives of more than 25 years of research on women gubernatorial candidates. These valuable documents include transcripts of post-election interviews with female candidates and their top campaign staff, offering a historical record of every major party general election campaign for governor with a female candidate since 1998.听
鈥淲e are so proud of the important work our team did with the Women & Politics Institute over the last five years through Gender on the Ballot,鈥 said Barbara Lee, President and Founder of BLFF. 鈥淚 am thrilled that our governors research will live on under WPI鈥攁cademics and students will benefit from the research for years to come! 听I am grateful for their strong programming that encourages and explores women鈥檚 leadership.鈥
WPI will also manage the website which offers resources for a wide audience, from casual observers to political pundits. 听The site features timely analysis and commentary from academic scholars, political strategists, and practitioners along with public opinion polling data to frame the conversation about gender in U.S. elections. Like WPI鈥檚 WeLead Campaign Training Program, which prepares young professional women to run for elective office, Gender on the Ballot will remain an extension of WPI鈥檚 mission to close the gender gap in political leadership.
鈥淲e are delighted to have Gender on the Ballot and BLFF鈥檚 invaluable gubernatorial research as part of our institute,鈥 said WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin. 鈥淲e are grateful to Barbara Lee and her Foundation for the generous support and longstanding partnership in fostering a national dialogue on gender and politics. Barbara Lee鈥檚 personal dedication to the advancement of women in politics has left a lasting impact on countless women leaders across the country. 听We look forward to making this critical research available to our students and other scholars studying the importance of women鈥檚 representation in our political system.鈥
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About the Women & Politics Institute at 小蓝视频鈥檚 School of Public Affairs
Founded in 2000, SPA鈥檚 Women & Politics Institute is dedicated to closing the gender gap in political leadership. WPI provides academic and practical campaign training that encourages young women to engage in the political process. The institute also facilitates research by faculty and students that enhances our understanding of the challenges and opportunities women face in the political arena.
About 小蓝视频 School of Public Affairs
Established in 1934, 小蓝视频's School of Public Affairs (SPA) is ranked No.13 in the nation (and first in the D.C. area) by U.S. News & World Report, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and executive-level programs to build and enhance careers in public service. The school offers a unique pairing of access to Washington, D.C. with world-renowned faculty and transformational research, driving progress in policy, politics, law, and public administration. SPA is also ranked third in the U.S. and first in the D.C. area for public affairs research impact.
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