The “Elevating Women’s Voices” campaign empowers women to engage in the legislative process, emphasizing the importance of their perspectives in creating a balanced government.
Key focus areas include:
- Voter registration and participation guidance
- Non-partisan voter guides
- Partnerships with organizations like the League of Women Voters
- Promoting gender equity and addressing socialization impacts
- Education on Amendment 4
Join us to amplify women’s voices and foster a more inclusive, equitable political landscape. Learn how to elevate your voice and advocate for what matters most to you!
Women’s Voices & Gender Socialization
This 15-minute webinar is the first segment in a 3-part series addressing gender roles. Gender equality advocate E. Scott Osbourne explains societal norms and generalizations regarding traditional gender socialization. She highlights issues that disproportionally impact women, such as income and wealth gaps, as well as low female political representation – which is less than 25% in the U.S. She also discusses the gender coding that occurs from one’s family, peers, teachers, and environment, and how this coding influences the way in which women elevate their voices.
Impacts of Gender Socialization
WRC CEO Ashley Brown interviews gender equality advocate E. Scott Osborne in this second installment of the Gender Roles video series. The 30-minute video explores societal norms around gender socialization and how this impacts women’s opportunities and barriers. According to economists, the United States ranks significantly behind the Western world on measures of gender equality related to women’s economics and political representation. The discussion aims to reframe the roles men and women play in society, and how women can advocate for more equality, especially related to social systems and policies. It addresses solutions and strategies centered on personal, professional, and policy shifts to broaden perspectives and create systemic changes.
Building Agency: How Speaking Up Shapes your Voice
The third segment in the Gender Roles series continues the discussion between WRC CEO Ashley Brown and gender equality advocate E. Scott Osborne. This 30-minute video brings light to inequality while exploring how women can build agency, which is defined as having control over one’s life. The goal is to help more women get engaged and feel they have a voice about what matters most to them. Osbourne encourages women to speak up for other women, which is often an easier first step to building agency. She also offers suggestions for how to address uncomfortable, sexist remarks and provides strategies for empowering women today and for the next generation.
Women’s Resource Center Advocates for “A Vote of Yes on Amendment 4”
In this powerful 30-minute video, the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) takes a stand in support of Amendment 4, encouraging a “Yes” vote to protect reproductive rights in Florida. WRC CEO Ashley Brown leads an insightful discussion with local leaders, including Nancy Hughes from the League of Women Voters, former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, and Jaymie Carter, co-founder of Conservative Women for Freedom. Together, they break down the importance of restoring the rights once provided by Roe v. Wade and counter misinformation surrounding the amendment.
The segment highlights how the current 6-week abortion ban represents government overreach and the critical need for women to make personal health decisions without political interference. The leaders emphasize the impact of abortion bans on healthcare, with Brown noting that such restrictions have led to unsafe practices and “maternity care deserts.” Whitmore also stresses how Amendment 4 has united women across party lines in support of reproductive freedom.
Watch the full video to get informed, learn how this amendment impacts Floridians, and understand why WRC believes in empowering women to make their own choices.
Women in Politics
We at the Women’s Resource Center are excited to launch our new video series as part of our ‘Elevating Women’s Voices’ campaign, encouraging more women to run for public office. Our first 35-minute segment, developed in partnership with Manatee Educational Television (METV) and hosted by our CEO Ashley Brown, features interviews with State Representative Fiona McFarland, Bradenton City Council Representative Lisa Gonzalez Moore, and former Sarasota County School Board candidate Dawnyelle Singleton.
These inspiring women share their personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs in politics, highlighting why women’s representation is essential. Through this series, we aim to empower women to engage civically, use their voices, and step into leadership roles.
What is Civic Engagement?
Civic engagement is crucial for women as it enables them to shape policies, challenge inequalities, and advocate for their rights. The Women’s Resource Center strongly supports women’s involvement in civic activities, empowering them to address issues affecting their lives and to influence the decision-making processes. Through civic engagement, women gain confidence, build networks, and contribute to creating a more inclusive and just society. To understand what we mean by civic engagement, click on this short 2-minute video from The Presidential Precinct, a national nonprofit that offers programs that encourage young leaders to exchange ideas and solve pressing challenges in their communities.
How Can You Get Involved in the Community?
Understand how you can use various forms of civic engagement to create change and make a positive impact. This 2-minute video from PointsofLight.org explains how every action, no matter how small, counts and how individuals can make a difference in various forms. Learn how to be a spark for change.
How Can You Have Constructive Conversations?
The Women’s Resource Center emphasizes the importance of constructive conversations as a catalyst for fostering understanding, empathy, and positive change. By promoting respectful dialogue, the Center advocates for creating safe spaces where diverse perspectives can be shared and heard. In this 10-minute TED Talk by world debate champion Julia Dhar, she shares three essential features of productive disagreements grounded in curiosity and purpose. She demonstrates how constructive conversations can sharpen your argument and strengthen your relationships. Through open and constructive communication, individuals can address conflicts, challenge stereotypes, and collaborate towards building more inclusive and equitable communities.
How Can You Run for Public Office?
The Women’s Resource Center encourages more women to run for public office. Recognizing the invaluable contributions women make to our democracy, we strive to break barriers and amplify their voices in all political spheres. We aim to cultivate a diverse and inclusive political landscape that truly reflects the richness of our society’s experiences and perspectives. Organizations like She Should Run, offer resources and a roadmap to run for office. Click here to learn more.
Why Vote?
The Women’s Resource Center believes that voting is a fundamental means for women to exercise their rights, elevate their voices, and influence policies. By encouraging women to participate in the electoral process, the Center empowers them to contribute to creating a society where their concerns and priorities are reflected in legislation and public policies. This 13-minute TED Talk from Eric Lieu, CEO of a nonprofit called Citizen University which works in a bipartisan way to teach civic power, explains the importance of having a voice.
Learn about how to register to vote:
How Can You Learn more?
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. It works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League is firmly nonpartisan and neither supports nor opposes candidates for office. At the same time, it is a political organization and advocates on select policy issues after careful study and consideration by its members. As a women-led organization, it encourages everyone to take part in our democracy.
To learn more about League of Women Voters:
Career Connections | Women in Government – In this webinar hosted by the Women’s Resource Center, discover a range of entry-level positions in government that you might not have considered before.
This session highlights exciting opportunities for women to make a significant impact in the public sector. Don’t miss out on learning how you can carve out a meaningful career path in government!
Campaign School & Community Leadership Training – this 2-Part Online Training School is open to everyone, free to attend, and non-partisan on August 28th and Thursday, August 29th. Learn how YOU can have a career in government.
LEARN MORE >
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact our Director of Systems and Engagement, Anne Carter.
Email: acarter@mywrc.org
Phone: (941) 259-4823