February 18, 2025

CAWP continues its ongoing work tracking the demographics of the Garden State’s elected officials at the congressional, state, county, and local levels, as well as appointees to state boards and commissions. Once again we found that when examining race and gender data, most groups, other than white men, are significantly underrepresented in state government.

“Little has changed for the representation of women and people of color, and the challenges collecting this data in a systematic way persist,” said CAWP Associate Director Jean Sinzdak. “In this report, we make recommendations to enhance government participation in this data collection and increase government transparency. Good governance relies on open governance.”

Read the full reports, which include complete data and recommendations to enhance data collection and the future sustainability of the project, at From Data to Diversity 2025: The Demographics of New Jersey’s Elected Officials and From Data to Diversity 2025: The Demographics of New Jersey’s Appointed Officials.

🚨 Early Bird Registration extended to Friday, February 21st! Act now to lock in the $175 rate — prices increase to $225 after February 21! 🚨

New Jersey lacks gender parity and diversity in government, but we can help change that by empowering women to lead. The solution? Join us on Friday and Saturday, March 21-22 for Ready to Run® New Jersey, our flagship program which trains women to run for office, seek appointed positions, and manage campaigns.

Not sure if you're ready to take the leap? Our two-track approach meets you where you are in your political journey: Track 1 - “I'm Ready to Run, Now What?” and Track 2 - “I'm Not Ready to Run Yet, But…” See the full agenda here.

In addition, three pre-conference sessions on Friday, March 21st are designed to empower women of color to take the lead in New Jersey’s political landscape:

ELLA Wins: Elections & Leadership Latina Academy

Latina women have been breaking barriers, but they are still underrepresented according to our latest research. The ELLA Wins Roundtable: Latinas Making a Difference will provide targeted training on leadership, campaign strategies, and overcoming obstacles. Get to know our Latina speakers and register here.

Rising Stars: Educating Asian American Women for Politics

Asian American women are dramatically underrepresented in New Jersey’s political offices. The Rising Stars Roundtable: Serving Your Community will provide the tools to step into leadership on the local level. Meet our expert Asian American women panelists and register here.

Run Sister Run: Empowering Black Women for Public Office

Black women have made historic strides in public office, but there’s still more work to do. This session entitled, Black Women in Politics: Breaking Barriers and Building Resilience, is dedicated to helping Black women navigate the unique challenges of running for office and building successful careers in politics. We look forward to hearing from our panelists; learn more and register here.

Seats are filling fast — don’t wait!

CAWP is proud to announce the 2025 call for applications for the Ruth B. Mandel Dissertation Research Awards. These awards – established in honor of CAWP co-founder and director Ruth B. Mandel and made possible thanks to the generosity of Ruth's family – support dissertation research on women, gender, and U.S. politics. Eligible recipients include advanced doctoral students from any relevant discipline at U.S.-based institutions who have successfully defended their dissertation proposal. We encourage applications from scholars who are traditionally underrepresented in the academy, and we welcome applications for research that analyzes gender in addition to or in conjunction with other categories such as race/ethnicity, class, immigration status, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Up to four Ruth B. Mandel Dissertation Research Awards are awarded annually, with the expectation that at least one award will be designated for a Rutgers University student. The application deadline for 2025 awardees will be May 15, 2025.

Last week, we hosted the Women of Power networking reception in support of our nonpartisan leadership programs for women in New Jersey. The evening united an inspiring group of women leaders from across the state to celebrate and advance women’s leadership in politics, business, and community.

“We are delighted to be gathering in person for our Women of Power reception for the first time since 2020. Thank you so much for joining us to celebrate the progress women have made in politics and to recommit to the work that lies ahead,” said Debbie Walsh. “Tonight, this room is proof that, together, we can build the future we envision: one of true political equity. Thank you for standing with us at this critical moment in history.”

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way said, “I am equally proud and honored to have the opportunity to serve New Jersey. We also understand that it is not just about the policies that we set out in the universe. It is about bringing other women with us.”

If you’d like to support future events like Women of Power, consider making a donation today.

CAWP is pleased to be part of the 2025 Associate Alumnae of Douglass College Women’s Conference: Taking Up Space, on Saturday, March 15, 2025. The conference will bring together leaders, advocates, and changemakers for a full day of discussions and networking. The conference keynote speaker is Stacey Abrams, former minority leader in the Georgia House of Representatives, first Black woman in the U.S. to be a major party nominee for governor, civic strategist, and bestselling author. Attendees will also hear from CAWP Director Debbie Walsh, who will lead the session “Exercising Your Voice in the Political Sphere,” providing attendees with strategies to engage in politics and make an impact. To attend, purchase tickets here.

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