IMMEDIA
TE RELEASE: NFWL’s Immediate Past Chair Senator Diane Allen Selected for Governing Institute’s Women in Government Leadership Class of 2017
Media Inquiries:
Morgan Arnold, 703-518-7931, morgan@womenlegislators.org
(ALEXANDRIA, VA) – The National Foundation for Women Legislators’ Immediate Past Chair, Senator Diane Allen of New Jersey, has been selected to serve in the Governing Institute’s Women in Government Leadership Class of 2017. Senator Allen is one of only 25 new participants selected from 125+ nominations, for the yearlong program designed to promote and support elected women leaders from across the nation.
“As a longtime advocate for women leaders across our nation, I am honored to join my esteemed colleagues as a member of the 2017 Leadership Class,” said Senator Allen.
The Governing Institute’s Women in Government Leadership Program’s initiative brings together outstanding elected women leaders from across the nation to acknowledge their contributions while providing leadership development. The selected participants serve as mentors to the next generation of women leaders to run for office. According to the Governing Institute, the 50 alumnae of the 2015 and 2016 classes are “paying it forward” by recruiting women candidates around the U.S.
“The issue of parity is important for women, for families, for our economy and for the country. We are woefully behind other nations in terms of gender equality,” said Cathilea Robinett, president of Governing and e.Republic.
“Having served as a state senator for nearly 20 years, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion women legislators have for serving the folks they represent. In the United States, women make up 52 percent of the population, but only 24 percent of state legislatures. The time for legislatures to be comprised of predominantly older white men has long since passed; we don’t truly have a democracy until our legislatures reflect the people they represent. I am grateful for this recognition, and as a member of the 2017 class, I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that women have ever greater opportunities to pursue elected office,” said Senator Allen.
Class selection was based on career and educational accomplishments, recommendations, a commitment to actively participate and the goal of seating a diverse class in a number of categories. Each class includes a rising star, a young woman not yet serving in elected office, but with the interest and potential to run in the future.
“The women in the Class of 2017 are among the most influential and devoted elected leaders in state and local government,” said Julia Burrows, director of the Governing Institute.
About the National Foundation For Women Legislators, Inc. (NFWL) Through annual educational and networking events, the National Foundation for Women Legislators supports elected women from all levels of governance. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, NFWL does not take ideological positions on public policy issues, but rather serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through information and experience. www.womenlegislators.org
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