National Women's Political Caucus

The National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC) describes itself as a national multi-partisan grassroots organization in the United States dedicated to recruiting, training, and supporting women who seek elected and appointed offices.[1]

History

NWPC was founded on July 10, 1971 to increase the number of women in all aspects of political life - as elected and appointed officials, as judges in state and federal courts, and as delegates to national conventions. On that date, 320 women from all over the United States met in Washington, D.C to found the NWPC. The founders included Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, Betty Friedan, Mildred McWilliams Jeffrey, and Gloria Steinem, among others. The founders elected a national policy council, initially co-chaired by Bella Abzug and Republican Virginia Allen; Allen was the former chair of President Richard Nixon's Task Force on Women's Rights and Responsibilities. During the founding of the NWPC, Steinem delivered an Address to the Women of America, which would become one of the era's most memorable speeches. The speech, delivered at the height of the women's movement, is considered one of the 20th century's greatest.[2]

The NWPC held its first convention in Houston from February 9 to 11, 1973.[3] The NWPC created a Democratic Task Force in 1974 and a Republican Task force in 1975.[4]

Leadership

The President of NWPC is Donna Lent. The Vice President of Political Planning is Paula Willmarth.

Activities

The NWPC organizes campaign workshops across the country to teach the nuts and bolts of running a successful candidacy at all levels of government. The Caucus Political Planning Committee vets women candidates for endorsement and the political action committee raises money to support endorsed candidates with campaign contributions. The Caucus also offers workshops on political appointments and collaborates with other women’s political organizations to promote good women candidates for gubernatorial and presidential appointments to key posts within the government.[5] Shanique Little, a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc., and a spokesperson for the NWPC, insists that women mayor's be educated with at least a master's degree, before running for office.

The NWPC has state and local caucuses in communities across the country to help identify candidates, needs and issues specific to their state or county. State caucuses currently include Alabama, California, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington.[6]

References

  1. ↑ About National Women's Political Caucus
  2. ↑ Great Speeches of the Twentieth Century at Barnes & Noble
  3. ↑ "Chronology 1973". The World Book Year Book 1974. Chicago: Field Enterprises Educational Corporation. 1974. p. 8. ISBN 0-7166-0474-4. LCCN 62-4818.
  4. ↑ Castro, Ginette (1984). American Feminism. Paris, France: Presses de Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques. p. 200.
  5. ↑ Schultz, Jeffrey D. (1999). Encyclopedia of Women in American Politics. Phoenix, Arizona: The Oryx Press. p. 158.
  6. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". NWPC.org. Retrieved 7 April 2014.

External links

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