Emerge America is a national organization that readies Democratic women to run for public office. Emerge has affiliates in twelve states, and we’re lucky enough to have one here in Wisconsin. The classes have been wildly successful and popular; since Scott Walker took office, they’ve had more applicants than ever and have even had to turn women away. Now, Emerge is ready to introduce its class of 2013.

From Emerge Wisconsin:

Emerge Wisconsin is excited to announce their seventh class of Democratic women ready to run for elected office.  The 2013 Class follows in the footsteps of current and former elected officials, including Senator Jessica King ‘07 (Oshkosh), Representative JoCasta Zamarripa ’10 (Milwaukee), County Board Chairwoman Tara Johnson ‘10 (La Crosse) and Alderwoman Kelly Westlund ’11 (Ashland).

“Women across Wisconsin continue to be energized and motivated to run for office.  Inspired by the election of Senator Tammy Baldwin and the women running in their own backyards, Wisconsin women realize that elected office IS for them.  They are coming to Emerge Wisconsin to get the tools and resources to run and win!” Bethany Ordaz, Emerge Wisconsin Board Chair

“We are excited to have a continued diversity of women apply and participate in the 2013 program.  The more women we continue to train across the state, the closer we get to equal representation of women at all levels of government.”  Wendy Strout, Emerge Wisconsin Executive Director.

The Emerge Class of 2013 members are: Kelley Albrecht (Burlington); Julie Allen (Tomahawk); Marisabel Cabrera (West Allis); Lillian Cheesman (Milwaukee); Paula Cooper (Pardeeville); Jennifer Dye (Fitchburg); Patricia Hoeft (Oneida); Frances Irwin (Wausau); Julie Jansch (Green Bay); Karin Johnson (La Crosse); Kimberly Kane (Racine); Mary Kolar (Madison); Mabel Lamb-Stewart (Milwaukee); Chantia Lewis (Milwaukee); Margaret McInnis (Madison); Pat McPartland (Verona); Catherine Myers (Janesville); Karyl Rice (Madison); Sara Schulz (Genoa City);  Miriam Share (Middleton); Sequanna Taylor (Milwaukee); Karen Vieth (Madison); Kati Walsh (Madison); Emily Wunderlich (Baraboo).

Launched in 2007, Emerge is the only organization in Wisconsin that provides Democratic women with the comprehensive training they need to achieve their political aspirations.  Emerge Wisconsin is part of Emerge America, a national movement and premier training program that addresses the under-representation of women in office at the local, state, and federal level.  There are Emerge affiliates in twelve states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin.  Emerge was founded to create a legion of Democratic women leaders for generations to come.

Personally, I know several women who have attended Emerge Wisconsin, and I’ve watched them go from tentative to confident after attending the program. I highly encourage Wisconsin women to check it out- www.emergewi.org.

As Emerge Wisconsin Advisor Senator Tammy Baldwin has said, “Politics is not a spectator sport, you must get involved in order to help make the change that you want to see. In addition, women should aspire to hold office not just for themselves, but to be the role models for the next generation of young women who aspire to get into politics as well.”

Emerge graduate JoCasta Zamarripa with Kathleen Sebelius