Southeastern Institute For Women In Politics Launches With February Event
The political gender gap in South Carolina is striking. Our state ranks 50th in the U.S. - LAST in women elected to public office. Now, women's organizations are uniting to change all that.
The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics, or SEIWIP, kicked off with a very successful training event in February, 2008, keynoted by Governor Ruth Ann Minner of Delaware. More than 75 prospective female candidates attended the training including many who had never considered political office before.
Event registration and communications are handled through its new website, SCElectsWomen. The site offers information on women running for office as well as advise from those who have previously run and won. Supporters are encouraged to support the organization through membership donations and candidate support. SEIWIP does not support any candidate but offers training to women seeking office or a more active role in the political process.
The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization formed for the purpose of training women to become active and powerful participants in the political and governmental process. One unique element of our capacity is demographic, electoral, and attitudinal research that provides realistic information to women candidates about where, and at what level, there is potential for running and winning legislative, county, and local elections. Another is the development of a system of mentoring, pairing women candidates with women political leaders and candidates who can draw upon their own experience in South Carolina politics