About the LBJ Women's Campaign School

Joy Diaz and Mayor Parker with huge smiles

About the LBJ Women's Campaign School

The purpose of the LBJ Women's Campaign School is to increase the number of women in elected office and campaign senior staff positions — regardless of political affiliation — through a structured curriculum, high-impact mentorship, and alumni support.

Why women?

The 2020 and 2022 elections set record numbers of women, women of color, and LGBTQ+ people who ran and won races for elected office. However, progress has been incremental and women are still underrepresented at every level of government.

Women in elected office in 2023. Source: Center for American Women and Politics, Rutgers


As we work to rebuild our communities and strengthen our civil society, women's political involvement has never been more urgent than it is now. This is why we are creating an accessible entrance into the political arena for people who have been traditionally excluded from the public sphere. 

Philanthropist Melinda Gates has said that when we lift up women, we lift up humanity. But there is still so much work to be done to lift up women in the United States. 

 

Structured Curriculum from a top 10 public policy school

The heart of the experience combines three days of in-person training with six months of live online course work. Topics include storytelling as a basis for a campaign, paid media, working with the press, campaign cyber security, fundraising, budgeting, and data, and field organizing. Below are a few of our over 50 speakers:

Speakers at the LBJ Women's Campaign School: Dasheika Ruffin; Annise Parker; Jessica Colon; Cliff Walker; Holly Harris

 

Six sessions of high-impact mentorship

Studies show an increase in productivity of 88% for those who receive mentorship, compared to an increase of 24% from training alone. We have recruited 85 mentors — and over half are elected officials or former elected officials. Below are a few of our mentors:

LBJ WCS mentors, 2023: Connie Schroeder; Nicole Frazier; Vanessa Fuentes; Lupe Valdez; Christina Haswood

 

Network building and alumni support

We are building a network of women in politics that will last a lifetime. Through thoughtful in-person and digital networking activities, we are creating a network that embodies the principle of #womenhelpingwomen.

 

Important Dates

If admitted, you will be required to participate in full. Please mark your calendar for these important dates:

Info Sessions:

  • Oct. 5, 1-2 p.m. CT
  • Nov. 3, 1-2 p.m. CT

REGISTER HERE

In-person training session in Austin

  • May 30-June 1, 2024

Five virtual training sessions, 9 a.m.—11:30 a.m. CT

  • Saturday, June 8, 2024
  • Saturday, June 29, 2024
  • Saturday, July 20, 2024
  • Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024
  • Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024

Virtual Networking Workshops, 6:30 p.m.—8 p.m. CT

  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024
  • Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

Virtual Campaign Plan Competition

Block off time on your schedule (evenings and the weekend) between Sept. 17 through Sept. 28 in order to complete the competition. 

  • Sept. 17, 2024: 6:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m. CT
  • Sept. 28, 2024: 9 a.m.—12 p.m. CT

Virtual Closing Ceremony and Family Training, 10 a.m.—12 p.m.

  • Nov. 16, 2024