SCRANTON — Women in northeastern and central Pennsylvania who want to learn more about Pennsylvania women’s participation in state and local governments or how to run for office have a place to turn for training at The University of Scranton this spring. The university’s Ready to Run NEPA Program will host two events this semester.

The first Ready to Run conference, titled “Wanted: More Women Candidates,” will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19 in the Rose Room of Brennan Hall on campus. The university will host a second Ready to Run NEPA conference, titled “Launching Your Campaign” on Saturday, May 21.

A non-partisan program first developed by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University, Ready to Run trains women to run for office, seek higher office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office or get more politically engaged in their community. Participants will learn from elected and appointed women leaders, campaign consultants, and scholars with expertise on government and politics.

Participants of the March 19 program will walk away with: an understanding of what the underrepresentation of women in Pennsylvania state and local governments means for women and their families; insight into the different perceptions voters have of the credibility of women and men candidates; real-world advice for becoming a credible and viable candidate; fundraising and media skills; and the inspiration to launch a campaign.

Jean Wahl Harris, Ph.D., professor of political science and women studies at The University of Scranton will give the keynote presentation at the March 19 conference. Other speakers will include Margaret Bisignani Moyle, Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas judge; Fran Kovaleski, Lackawanna County register of wills; Aubrey Montgomery, founder and principal of Rittenhouse Political Partners; and Jan Kelly, Ph.D., faculty emeritus at The University of Scranton.

Participants of the May 21 Ready to Run NEPA will receive “how to” instructions on running for office including getting on the ballot, filing required paperwork, organizing a campaign team, crafting and delivering a message on social and traditional media, fundraising, and getting voters out on election day.

Ready to Run NEPA is co-sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County, and the media sponsor is WNEP 16.

The fee for “Wanted: More Women Candidates,” which includes breakfast and lunch, is $50 for the general public and $15 for students with a school ID. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact Linda Walsh at 570-941-7520 or linda.walsh@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/readytorun.

For Abington Journal

Information provided by The University of Scranton.