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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.

Progress towards Gender Parity on Pause in Mississippi

An analysis of the 2023 Mississippi primary election

LGBTQ+ Legislators Leading the Fight for the Rights of Trans Americans

While Republican legislators wage a war on transgender and LGBTQ+ Americans, trans and LGBTQ+ state legislators nationwide are leading the fight against dangerous bills and passing legislation to protect the safety of trans people across the country.

Moms Leading the Way

This Mother’s Day, we’re wishing for gender parity, not just flowers. When elected, women in general, and specifically moms, leverage their personal experience to pass legislation to improve the lives of women, children, and families.

Women Legislators Lead on Pay Equity

More women in office will help close the gender and racial pay gap.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women Who Lift as They Climb

Every month is Women’s History Month at The Ascend Fund, but March provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made and to celebrate the women who are leading the way and lifting as they climb.

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 year, making it unlikely that the number of women in elected office will increase substantially.

Resolutions on Representation: Lessons learned from 2022 that we can carry forward in 2023

The 2022 midterm election was a staunch reminder that progress towards gender parity in politics is neither linear nor guaranteed, and that we need to keep working to remove systemic barriers so women can achieve 50% representation, in all 50 states, by 2050.

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.

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 demographic of the veteran population, the challenges women service members, women veterans, and their families face are often pushed to the side.

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 passed on the issue of equal pay was the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which prohibited wage discrimination on account of sex.

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 November there will be 36 governorships on the ballot, including all of the nine offices currently held by women.

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 less TV, what if you resolved to run for office?

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