About Us

The people of Oregon must be committed to building leaders today to solve the problems of tomorrow. The next generation of leaders will face growing list of complex issues and must be prepared to step forward with vision, courage, and the skills to meet the challenge. Located on the campus of Portland State University within the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government are the beginnings of a bold new women’s leadership initiative. National Education for Women’s Leadership of Oregon (NEW Leadership Oregon) is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and supporting the next generation of women political leaders.In partnership with Rutgers University, NEW Leadership Oregon is modeled after the award-winning leadership program designed by the renowned Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

What is NEW Leadership Oregon?

NEW Leadership Oregon’s goal is to develop a women-centered leadership program that will educate and encourage outstanding college women to develop career paths toward politics and public service.NEW Leadership Oregon will teach leadership through action. Participants will:

• Practice public speaking, planning, organizing, and networking to address real social problems.
• Draw on the expertise of seasoned coaches and the experiences of women leaders in government, business, science, and the community.
• Learn a set of skills designed specifically to prepare young women for public leadership.

Why is NEW Leadership Oregon important?

	Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics reports that in 2006, 82 women serve in the U.S. Congress. Fourteen women serve in the Senate, and 68 women serve in the House. The number of women in statewide elective executive posts is 78, while the proportion of women in state legislatures is at 22.8 percent.
	Congress: women hold 82, or 15.3%, of the 535 seats in the 109th US Congress — 14, or 14.0%, of the 100 seats in the Senate and 68, or 15.6%, of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives. In addition, three women serve as Delegates to the House from Guam, the Virgin Islands and Washington, DC.
	Statewide Elective Executive: In 2006, 78 women hold statewide elective executive offices across the country; women hold 24.8% of the 315 available positions. Among these women, 35 are Democrats, 39 are Republicans, one is an independent, and 3 were elected in nonpartisan races.
	State Legislature: In 2006, 1,681, or 22.8%, of the 7,382 state legislators in the United States are women. Women hold 407, or 20.6%, of the 1,971 state senate seats and 1,274, or 23.5%, of the 5,411 state house seats. Since 1971, the number of women serving in state legislatures has increased more than four times.

Women's involvement in elective office, public policy making, and all aspects of public service is a matter of justice and equity and is imperative for a vital democracy. We should all care deeply about the lack of women in political leadership roles both in the United States and globally. Women possess new perspectives and values that can revitalize and transform public debates and policy.

September 2003 Press Release announcing the creation of NEW Leadership Oregon

Spring 2008 Newsletter

November 2007 Newsletter

November 2006 Newsletter