The Ascend Fund
An Off-Year for the Election of Women to Mississippi Legislature
In the state currently ranked 48th in the nation for women’s representation, fewer women are running for the Mississippi Legislature this...
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perspectives on parity
Our column dives into the challenges women face when running for office and the groundbreaking solutions that The Ascend Fund and our partners are pioneering through innovation and collaboration.
The Ascend Fund
- Jan 26
Resolutions in Representation: Lessons learned from 2022 that we can carry forward in 2023
Too many men. In the 2022 election, women gained just two seats in Congress and now account for only 27.9% of the 535 members. Photo...
The Ascend Fund
- Oct 12, 2022
Systemic Challenges May Hinder Women’s Political Gains
Number of women running for the state legislature in Michigan and Washington increases, but gender parity likely to remain elusive. In...
The Ascend Fund
- Aug 25, 2022
From military service to public service: increasing the number of women veterans in elected office
It’s been almost 75 years since women were recognized as permanent members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Despite being the fastest growing...
Thalia Trinidad
- Apr 27, 2022
Want to close the gender wage gap? Elect more women to state legislatures.
Women have been fighting for equal pay since entering the workforce en masse during WWII. One of the most notable pieces of legislation...
The Ascend Fund
- Feb 22, 2022
It’s Past Time to Elect Black Women to Governor Offices
This year poses a unique opportunity to achieve a long-overdue first, electing the first Black woman governor in the United States. In...
The Ascend Fund
- Jan 19, 2022
Why You (Yes, You!) Should Run For Office in 2022
As the calendar rolls over, many people set New Year’s resolutions. But rather than resolving to exercise more, read more books, or watch...
The Ascend Fund
- Jan 5, 2022
Twelve Organizations Working to Make 2022 the Best Year Yet for Women’s Representation
At The Ascend Fund, we believe that parity is possible in our lifetime because transformational organizations are building a pathway to...
The Ascend Fund
- Nov 5, 2021
2021 Election Analysis: Nominal progress for women
Overview In 2020, all eyes were on the White House and Kamala Harris’ historic election as the first woman and woman of color to serve as...
The Ascend Fund
- Oct 18, 2021
Partners in Parity: How 13 Organizations in Michigan, Mississippi & Washington are Paving the Way
To rapidly accelerate the pace of change toward gender parity in state legislatures, pivotal policymaking bodies, The Ascend Fund is...
The Ascend Fund
- Sep 21, 2021
Elevating Latina Leadership this Hispanic Heritage Month
Latinas are deeply underrepresented at every level of elected office. Latina leadership, however, is transformational, when elected,...
The Ascend Fund
- Aug 17, 2021
Ten podcasts that elevate women's voices in politics
Women in politics are making history across the country as they continue to break down barriers and increase representation in...
The Ascend Fund
- Aug 10, 2021
244 Years Later, Kathy Hochul to Become New York’s First Woman Governor
Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images After two and a half centuries of men governors, Lieutenant Governor Kathy...
The Ascend Fund
- Jul 7, 2021
Always the Lieutenant, Never the Governor
Photo: Governor Phil Murphy signs a bill expanding paid family leave in New Jersey, accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver...
The Ascend Fund
- Jun 9, 2021
Path to Parity: Why We're Starting with the States
Photo: Flickr Women are more than half the population, but you wouldn’t know it by walking the halls of state capitols. Across the...
The Ascend Fund
- Jun 9, 2021
Mississippi - Parity Takes Persistence
The Ascend Fund is a collaborative fund dedicated to accelerating the pace of change toward gender parity in U.S. politics. As part of...
The Ascend Fund
- Jun 9, 2021
Michigan - Parity Has Progressed
The Ascend Fund is a collaborative fund dedicated to accelerating the pace of change toward gender parity in U.S. politics. As part of...
The Ascend Fund
- Jun 9, 2021
Washington - Parity Is Possible
The Ascend Fund is a collaborative fund dedicated to accelerating the pace of change toward gender parity in U.S. politics. As part of...
Claire Kern
- Jun 9, 2021
Pride in Politics: Opportunities for Growing LGBTQ Representation During Pride and Beyond
Source: New York 1 This Pride Month, we’re celebrating progress made to date in addressing the underrepresentation of LGBTQ elected...
Sofia Gonzalez
- May 18, 2021
For the Love of Democracy, Pay Attention to Women of Color
Photo Source: USA Today The State of Representation Women as a whole are underrepresented in politics. Women make up more than half of...
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