By Frank Lewis
If you have a desire to maybe some day run for public office, you may want to know that Emerge Kentucky, a candidate-training program for women is accepting applications for its 2016 class until Nov. 8, 2015.
Maybe you are watching both Hillary Clinton and Carly Fiorina contend for the highest office in the land, and have thought you would like to try your hand at elected office, Emerge Kentucky, an affiliate of Emerge America, is training the next generation of female Democratic leaders in 14 states.
Up to 25 women will be selected to participate in the 2016 class that begins in January 2016. 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 is the essential step for Democratic women who want to run for office and serve as ethical public servants,” Emerge Kentucky Founder and Board Chair, Jennifer A Moore, said. “The women who receive Emerge training have the skills and confidence to run effective and successful campaigns. And, more importantly, these women will change the face of Kentucky politics by making our state a true representative democracy where all voices are heard.”
Emerge Kentucky officials said their 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 three women to statewide office in the past 30 years.
Emerge Kentucky has trained more than 120 women since its founding in 2009. Alumnae include current elected officials Louisville Metro Council Member Cindy Fowler, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council member Angela Evans, state Representative Rita Smart (81st district), and 2014 U.S. congressional candidate Elisabeth Jensen. For a complete listing of Emerge Kentucky alumnae, please visit www.emergeky.org.
The deadline is Nov. 8, 2015 and the application is available by contacting Emerge Kentucky at www.Emergeky.org or e-mail to: [email protected]. For more information, contact Emerge Kentucky Executive Director Mandy Helton at 502-694-0009.
Emerge Kentucky officials say the organization offers Democratic women leaders the opportunity for top-notch candidate training and mentoring, giving women the skills, confidence, and network to run effective and successful campaigns. Emerge Kentucky’s curriculum includes training in public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, field operations, labor and endorsements, networking, media skills, messaging, and ethics in politics. Participants complete seven sessions over a six-month period.
Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.
