People of color make up 68% of the fifth cohort, which includes small business owners, educators, parents, community activists, lawyers, and more. The change-makers represent a wide range of political parties and ideologies.
Today, the LBJ Women's Campaign School announced the 59 leaders who will form its fifth incoming class. The LBJ Women's Campaign School is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral program that supports women in politics by training leaders who want to run for elected office or become campaign managers, regardless of political party. The program brings together top political experts from across the nation to lead an immersive training program on topics including media relations, public speaking, fundraising, grassroots organizing, and more. The program kicks off in Austin May 30-June 1, with monthly virtual classes through November. Through the six-month program, these change-makers will gain an insider network, professional mentorship, and the skills they need to win.
The 60 participants were selected through a rigorous review process based on their leadership potential, commitment to public service, and professional experience. These leaders are passionate small business owners, parents, government employees, community activists, lawyers, religious leaders, nurses, and veterans ready to jump into the political arena.
People of color make up 68% of the fifth cohort, up from 62-65% of past cohorts, which includes participants in their 20s through their 60s. The 2024 class represents a wide range of political ideologies, and the change-makers have plans to run for state representative, judge, city council, school board, and Congress, and to manage campaigns. The LBJ Women's Campaign School admits participants regardless of gender, as they work together toward the school's mission: to create a more representative democracy where women can thrive as civic leaders.
The program is unique for embracing a multipartisan approach. The 59 change-makers represent many different political parties and ideologies including Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. The speakers, advisory board, and donors all come from a wide range of political thought. The LBJ Women's Campaign School believes that when leaders of differing ideologies come together in the political arena, we can create lasting societal change.
"Especially in a presidential election year, it is rare to see change-makers from across the aisle come together to make a difference in their community. We are proud to be a part of building a democracy that works for women!" —Amy Kroll, founder and executive director, LBJ Women's Campaign School
The fifth cohort joins the nearly 250 LBJ Women's Campaign School alumni who are already serving their community in the political arena. Thirty-four program alumni have stepped up to run for office including judge, school board, city council, state representative, state Senate, secretary of state, and governor in Texas, Arkansas, California, Kansas, Michigan, and Maryland. Eighty-six alumni have become political appointees, and 84 have become campaign managers or political staff. Forty-nine percent of all alumni are senior level campaign staff or consultants, are serving in government roles, or have already run for office.
Women are 51% of the population, but are only about a third of elected officials nationwide. In Texas, the political gender gap is even worse. Women make up only 29% of the Texas Legislature, 14% of the Texas congressional delegation, and 22% of statewide elected officials.
Thanks to grants from the Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership Center for Women in Government at Texas Woman's University, more than 30 Texas residents are attending for free, further knocking down socioeconomic barriers for women in politics.
"The grants from the Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership make this education possible for so many leaders who want to make a difference in their communities. We are proud to partner with the LBJ Women's Campaign School for the fifth straight year to build a more representative democracy.” —Marlene Phillips, director for the Center for Women in Government, Texas Woman's University
The LBJ Women's Campaign School is sponsored by Arnold Ventures, the Texas Business and Professional Women's Foundation, and over 150 individual donors. The LBJ Women's Campaign School is the Texas state partner of the Women's Public Leadership Network.
The LBJ Women's Campaign School is part of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
The change-makers in the fifth cohort:
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Learn more at the LBJ Women's Campaign School website.
The LBJ Women's Campaign School is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral program that supports women in politics by training leaders who want to run for elected office or become campaign managers, regardless of political party.