Emerge

Emerge is what really started this whole foray into politics for me. Well, foray makes it sound a little temporary, but I don't think I can ever get out now. Anyway most of you that know me know about Emerge, but please indulge this explanation for those readers that are not familiar.

Emerge is a political training program for Democratic women who want to run for office. It began in the Bay Area in California in 2003, was successfully replicated in Arizona in 2004, and is now Emerge America, with affiliates in 7 states.

Why Democrats? Well, duh. If we want more women in office, we want the RIGHT ones.

Why women? I believe that we will never reach our full potential as a nation until women participate equally at all levels of government. The barriers for women running for office are much greater than for men. Emerge is about the new girls' network, helping women to overcome those barriers and have the confidence they need to take that leap and run.

I was a part of the inaugural class of Emerge Arizona in 2004.

There are several Emerge women that are here as delegates, so Emerge America hosted a lunch today. It was a nice little break in all of the convention activities and a chance to connect with some awesome women from around the country who are doing amazing things.