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Women's Leadership Programs

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Women's Leadership Programs

The women's leadership programs at the Carl Albert Center seek to address the historic under-representation of women in politics, public service and other leadership roles. Our mission is to educate, inspire and empower women to become political leaders. We accomplish this mission through a series of educational initiatives designed specifically for women in Oklahoma.

N.E.W. Leadership Program

Students talking with Representative Anastasia Pittman

The N.E.W. (National Education for Women's) Leadership program is open to all undergraduate women in Oklahoma as well as Oklahoma residents attending a college or university outside the state. The 2024 N.E.W. Leadership program will be held May 17-21, 2024

Each year, we select approximately thirty undergaduate students to participate in the program.  While the program is offered at no cost to the participants, the application process is highly competitive. Students are chosen based on numerous factors including, but not limited to: individual leadership potential, maturity, ability to deal with challenges, capacity to reflect on one’s own personal strengths and weaknesses, special interests, unique characteristics or diverse experiences which contribute to the N.E.W. Leadership learning goals, interest in politics, public service or public policy, and a commitment to participate fully in the N.E.W. Leadership program.

Launched in 2002, this program is part of the NEW Leadership™ training network at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

2024 N.E.W. Leadership Flyer (PDF)

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Pipeline to Politics


Pipeline to Politics is a one-day, non-partisan educational program designed for women who are beyond college, already in the workforce and interested in increasing their involvement in politics and public service. The program’s goal is to address the historic under-representation of women in politics and public life by providing participants with necessary tools to enter, stay in and emerge from the political pipeline. In 2017, Oklahoma will send the fewest women to the Capitol since 2010 and will rank next to last in the nation for the percentage of women elected to state legislatures.

The program informs participants about political and other leadership opportunities, educates them about the issues involved in putting together a winning campaign and encourages them to run for office, work on a campaign or become civically involved in other ways. Noted professional consultants and elected officials from both sides of the political aisle lead interactive discussions to help attendees craft successful campaigns. Topics usually include effective organization, communications, fundraising and campaigning strategies.

Whether you are supporting a candidate, launching your own campaign or advocating for an issue, this training is for you!

This program is sponsored by the Carl Albert Center’s Women’s Leadership Program at the University of Oklahoma in partnership with the Ready to Run© national training network at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

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