Workshops will be held in Laramie Feb. 9 to teach women skills and tools they can use to be elected into a public office. The workshops, which are open to all women, are intended to help women obtain ideas for strong leadership.
Wyoming Women’s Foundation will host events in Cody and Laramie with the help of the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus. On March 1-2 the organizations will present a reception, dinner and more workshops in Cheyenne.
Rebekah Smith, program coordinator of the WyWF, said, “Their newfound knowledge will give them the confidence they need to pursue leadership opportunities.”
Seminars will teach women the steps needed to run for office, attain leadership positions and build professional networks, Smith said.
“When women are represented more equally to men, then our leaders will focus more on women’s interests.”
Smith said, after attending these events, we encourage women to run for any position. The organizations would like to see more women represent a board of directors relative to them as well to provide more diversity in Wyoming offices.
Smith said, producing more women leaders in the state would affect all families because more attention will be focused on women’s interests.
“Economic self-sufficiency for women is one example of an issue that women leaders can work on that will benefit everyone in the state,” Smith said.
More specific workshops will be provided as well. The workshops will include campaign planning, communication and leadership development, and investing leadership in communities.
Katie Groke Ellis, a White House Project Rocky Mountain Regional Director, will lead the training sessions. Her background consists of running ballot initiative campaigns and grassroots organizing, Smith said.
Smith said local events focus their time on building self-esteem and confidence in women. After the reception in Cheyenne, women will be able to attend more in-depth seminars.
Last year, the events in Gillette and Evanston hosted about 100 women. Smith said this year they expect to attract 100 in Cody, 50 in Laramie and 200 in Cheyenne.
Each year the workshop locations will change to give all women a chance to attend.
Registration information can be found at at www.wywf.org.