VoteRunLead Launches Online Series as a Call to Action and Inspiration to Women During 2016 Election Season

NEW YORK, March 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VoteRunLead launches a new series of bi-monthly VRL Live! Web clinics to inform and encourage women to vote, run and lead. In a year where everyone is focusing on the top of the ticket, VRL continues to supply, drive and motivate a new generation of women leaders to local public office, and leverage the talents of top local female leaders in the country with the ease of technology.

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VoteRunLead will launch the web clinic series on April 14^th and challenge women to "Dare to Lead." But it doesn't stop there. Using a new online invitation tool, clinic attendees must share and nominate other women to join them in taking their place at the seat of the table. 

"There are over 500,000 offices in the country and roughly 20% women across the board for the last two decades," shared Founder and CEO of VoteRunLead Erin Vilardi.  "We need to focus on the local pipeline, and we must use technology -- reaching them online and inviting them to share their journey -- to accelerate this change."

This bi-monthly online series offers skills training and campaigning education focused on calling women to leadership. It also includes candid conversations with women who are currently political and civic leaders and allows participants to work with VoteRunLead alumni.

Among those participating in VRL Live! Web Clinics are the Mayor of Salt Lake City, Jackie Biskupski; Speaker of the Colorado House Dickey Lee Hullinghorst and Majority Leader Crisanta Duran; Michigan 2^nd Congregational District's Precinct Delegate Honoree and VRL Co-Founder Shannon Garrett, Colorado State Representative Faith Winter; Author of Rules of Engagement, Froswa Booker-Drew; and To The Contrary's Rina Shah Baraha, RNC Delegate from Washington, DC. See the full list of web clinics at: https://voterunlead.org/go-run/training-events/

In 2015, VoteRunLead trained over 2,200 diverse and qualified women leaders online. VRL Live! Web Clinics will continue our charge to create a more effective and reflective democracy through cultivating female representation. "We need a new generation of women leaders," said Ruth Ann Harnisch. Those women need practical guidance and powerful support as they enter the political process. The Harnisch Foundation invests in VRL because it offers accessible, affirming, action-packed training to women who are willing to Vote, Run, and Lead."

The first VRL Live! Web Clinic will take place April 14 featuring the Mayor of Salt Lake City, Jackie Biskupski, who continues to break the mold. She is a single mom with an adopted son, Utah's first openly gay elected official, and now Salt Lake City's second female mayor.  She will discuss her experiences as the first openly gay mayor in a state that is not known for a close relationship with the LGBTQ Community. She'll also discuss the difference between legislative and executive leadership, what she's most proud of and what it's like to defeat a two-term incumbent.

"I am excited to participate in this online conversation with VoteRunLead. More than ever we need the voices of women in our public discourse. It is critical that more women get involved in public life, from boards and commissions to legislatures, to Congress, to the presidency. When women make policy, they change lives," said Mayor Biskupski.

VRL Live! Web Clinics will invite a collage of women to run to office, while sharing their views on key issues that will matter most in the 2016 election. The web clinics will introduce female leaders with diverse experience and background, who can use their experience to raise awareness on the importance of filling leadership positions locally, while demonstrating its impact nationally.  "I love the vision of VRL!," said Froswa Booker-Drew. " It's important for women to have platforms that educate, empower and create opportunities for collaboration, which is what VRL does daily. I support this amazing endeavor because when women come together great things can happen!"

Web clinic schedules and registration are available at https://voterunlead.org/go-run/training-events/

VRL Live! Web Clinics Schedule

***Erin Vilardi, Founder and CEO of VoteRunLead, is available for interviews***

About VoteRunLead:

VoteRunLead is a national, nonpartisan organization that unleashes the power of women leaders in democracy through training, technology and community. We aim for large-scale impact on women's community and political leadership never before seen in the United States. By harnessing social networks as a new and powerful recruitment tool, creating an online platform to learn to run and lead, and conducting in-person trainings that build powerful networks, VoteRunLead will fuel women's ambition for civic leadership and close the knowledge gap around politics for women from all classes, cultures and colors.

Contact:
Anitra M. Haithcock
Director of Creativity & Communications
VoteRunLead
Email
917.285.4306

SOURCE VoteRunLead

Related Links

https://voterunlead.org