KU Institute for Leadership Studies announces civic leadership training program for Kansas women

LAWRENCE — A new leadership training program designed to help Kansas women participate more fully in civic life will debut in early December. Ready to Represent, a program created by the Appointments Project & Ready to Run Kansas Women’s Leadership Series, a partnership between the University of Kansas Institute for Leadership Studies and United Women’s Empowerment (formerly the Women’s Foundation) kicks off Dec. 5.

Ready to Represent will help train women who are interested in running for political office, serving on civic boards and commissions, or being more active in their communities. The program, which will take place via Zoom, also includes mentorship opportunities, and a keynote address, which will be delivered by Sarah Smarsh, KU alumna, Kansas native and author of National Book Award finalist “Heartland” and “She Come By It Natural.”

“The goal of our program is to help women achieve the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to run for public office, serve on a civic board or commission, and be more active in their communities throughout Kansas,” said Emily Vietti, Institute for Leadership Studies program associate/lecturer and partnership director for the Appointments Project & Ready to Run Kansas Women’s Leadership Series. “Women are usually underrepresented in these spaces, but when we have more women and more diverse voices everywhere that decisions are being made, we see more collaboration and better outcomes for more people. Everybody wins.”

The Appointments Project & Ready to Run Kansas Women’s Leadership Series is a first-of-its-kind partnership between Ready to Run at the KU’s Institute for Leadership Studies and United Women’s Empowerment’s Appointments Project. The series launched in the spring with several webinars. Ready to Represent is its first full-scale training program.

Ready to Represent will take place over four Saturdays: Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6 and March 6 in two-to-three-hour sessions. The sessions will cover topics such as media training, political fundraising, Kansas open records laws, the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership, imposter syndrome and more. Each session will also include small-group mentorship circles to build networks among Kansas women from across the state.

The price for the program (four sessions) is $99, and need-based scholarships are available. Kansas college students can attend the full program for only $12. Women who register by Nov. 28 will receive a special program gift box.

A full schedule and registration for the program can be found online.