Join American University’s Women & Politics Institute for a conversation with Sen. Lisa Murowski (R-AK), author of the new book, Far From Home: An Alaskan Senator Faces the Extreme Climate of Washington, DC, and WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin.

Sen. Murkowski, the first woman elected as a Senator from Alaska, will discuss her new memoir, Far From Home, an “uplifting narrative” and a "candid account” of her time in Washington. Murkowski, who has repeatedly served as a swing vote on a number of challenging issues, explores the defining events of her more than twenty-year career, guiding readers through her beginnings in Alaska and the Senate, to the rise of the Tea Party and critical events of the Trump era. We’ll discuss Murowski’s attempts to be a “voice of reason” in an increasingly hostile government. Order the book here. Details and registration here.

This event is “open to all” and participation is not limited based on any individual’s personal identity or characteristics, including but not limited to race, color, national origin (or shared ancestry), religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
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As the non-partisan Women & Politics Institute at American University marks its 25th anniversary, a new nationwide survey underscores both the progress women have made in politics and the barriers that remain. The poll, She Leads: Progress and Persistent Barriers for Women in Politics, finds that while voters strongly support electing more women and trust them on key issues, lingering biases and double standards continue to shape the path to the presidency.

To learn more about this new research, check out our Gender on the Ballot website where you will find key takeaways, memo, and our press release.

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WeLead Campaign Training Program

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of WeLead and our mission to close the gender gap in political leadership. American University's WeLead campaign training program in the School of Public Affairs successfully positions participants to serve in a political leadership position. With a special emphasis on understanding the latest research on the challenges and opportunities that women face in running for office, we provide all members of the WeLead cohort with the confidence and skills to run for office or run a campaign through a combination of tactical skills, and best practices in Communications, Fundraising, and Campaign Management. WeLead also provides an expansive and supportive network of expert practitioners and alumni.

WeLead2026 launched in September with a full day of programming, including a case-study from VA District 18 Delegate Kathy Tran (pictured) on why, when, and how she decided to run for public office. 

The We Lead training program is open to all post-graduates, regardless of race, color, gender, or national origin.
Learn More About WeLead

Gender on the Ballot

Gender on the Ballot is a nonpartisan project of AU’s Women & Politics Institute that examines and contextualizes gender dynamics in American politics. Originally co-founded by WPI and the Barbara Lee Family Foundation in 2019, Gender on the Ballot contributes to the dialogue on gender and politics through accessible content from experts and practitioners.

The 2025 Gender Parity Index: Progress Made, But Half of States Still Lag Behind: Alana Persson, founder of Slingshot Storytelling LLC, & Cynthia Richie Terrell, executive director of RepresentWomen, share their findings on the 2025 Gender Parity Index, which measures how women are represented in American politics, noting, “Research shows that when women serve, legislatures become more collaborative, more responsive, and more focused on the everyday issues that matter most to families and communities.”

She Leads: Progress and Persistent Barriers for Women in Politics: Viva de Vicq, Senior Director at Breakthrough Campaigns, breaks down the new Gender on the Ballot poll, revealing that voters strongly support increased female representation in politics, "with a significant 83% believing it's important to elect more women to office, and 54% feeling there are currently too few women in office," while noting persistent barriers to electing a woman president remain.

These core courses are being offered in Fall 2025 for the Women, Policy and Political Leadership (WPPL) Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs. View all WPPL courses here and learn more about the certificate program here.

WPI 'Women on Wednesdays' Recaps

Check out all event recaps here, or visit our Crowdcast channel here to watch full replays of previous events. These events were “open to all” and participation was not limited based on any individual’s personal identity or characteristics, including but not limited to race, color, national origin (or shared ancestry), religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

SEPT 24: Christine Brennan, author of the book, On Her Game, discussd the controversies and challenges surrounding Caitlyn Clark’s ascent, from league dynamics and player rivalries to the complicated conversations about race, gender, and media in sports with Katie Benoit, AU Deputy Athletics Director, AU basketball player, Molly Driscoll, and WPI Exec. Director Betsy Fischer Martin. Watch the full replay here.

OCT 8: WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin discussed our latest Gender on the Ballot nationwide poll, She Leads: Progress and Persistent Barriers for Women in Politics, with Viva de Vicq, Senior Director of Breakthrough Campaigns, who conducted the survey. Watch the full replay here.