License to Thrive

Vote, Run, Lead: 2005-2007 Go Run Training Demographics

Vote, Run, Lead is the White House Project’s (WHP) grassroots initiative to increase the number of women in the political pipeline and equip them with the necessary tools to be successful and effective leaders. Their Vote, Run, Lead program is unique. They invite non-traditional women to run for office; from teachers to nurses and the woman with the corner office. The women whom they train for office come from a variety of backgrounds; generally 41% are women of color and 46% make $30,000 or less per year. They work to demystify the political process for women; from voting to running and to “leading a political life.”

 

Vote, Run, Lead is the first political experience that many of these women have. The White House Project constantly strives to maintain networks of support for all the women who attend their trainings. Over 60% of their alumni are actively involved in recruiting, training and networking with all of the women we train. The WHP’s training does not only provide women with the skills they will need to run for office. It also inspires, equips and informs women to “lead a political life.” The White House Project is not just changing politics; they are changing culture as well. An important part of getting more women into leadership positions is changing how women are perceived as leaders. From Commander in Chief to SheSource and to President Barbie, the WHP strives to change how women are perceived and make it easier for every women to run for office.

 

Go Run trainings are The White House Project’s Vote, Run, Lead program’s signature, weekend-long events where women are trained to run for political office and are taught the nuts and bolts of “leading a political life.” Utilizing both national and local resources, Go Run trainings bring together the best and brightest trainers, elected officials and panelists to conduct intense, interactive discussions and workshops. To date, The White House Project has trained over 1,100 women, including 80 candidates through the 2008 elections.

 

The White House Project plans to expand our Vote, Run, Lead program over the next 18 months. Some of the states included in the expansion plan are: Wisconsin, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, South Carolina, and Michigan.

 

The following is an analysis of the demographics of the women who attended WHP Go Run political leadership trainings in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

Go Run Combined Demographics

2005-2007

Total Number of Participants: 820*

 

Age:

 

Vote, Run, Lead successfully keeps the political pipeline full by recruiting and training young women age 35 and under. In the last 3 years, the average age of a Go Run participant has been 34.8.

 

Average Age of Participants by Training Year:

 

2005: 34

2006: 34.7

2007: 35.9

 

Cultural Diversity:

 

Vote, Run, Lead recognizes that in order to change the face of politics, we must elect diverse representatives. In the last 3 years, 41% of Go Run participants identified as a woman of color.

 

2005: 37%

2006: 45%

2007: 52%

 

* Based on registered applicants from 2005-2007

 

Income:

 

Vote, Run, Lead effectively recruits women who are not traditional candidates. In the last 3 years, 46% of Go Run participants earned less than $30,000.

 

Percentage of women at Go Run trainings earning $30,000/year or less:

 

2005: 43%

2006: 43%

2007: 46%

 

Location:

 

Vote, Run Lead does outreach to women throughout geographic locations including rural, suburban, and urban areas.

 

Percentage of women at Go Run trainings from:

 

Rural: 13%

Suburban: 32%

Urban: 52%

Other: 4% 

 

Party Affiliation:

 

Vote, Run, Lead is a progressive training program that has shown nearly 1 in 10 women do not identify with a political party.

 

Percentage of women who don’t identify with any political party:

 

2005: 4%

2006: 7%

2007: 8%