About Us

Our Mission

To increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and providing a powerful network.

Who We Are

Emerge Massachusetts is changing the face of politics by recruiting, training, and providing a powerful network for Democratic women who want to run for office.

We offer the only in-depth, six-month, 70-hour training program that provides aspiring female leaders with cutting-edge tools and training to run for elected office and elevate themselves in our political system.

Our elite training team is comprised of campaign consultants, advisors, and staff from all over the country, who have been involved in some of the most successful campaigns and initiatives seen in recent election cycles. Participants learn from these experts and develop practical knowledge in areas including public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, media, and messaging. Our women also join our dynamic and supportive network, which includes elected and appointed officials, a national association of Emerge alumnae, the Emerge Massachusetts Board of Directors, Committees, and members of our Advisory Council and Men’s Leadership Council.

• More than 4,000 women trained to run for office since 2002;
• More than 700 alumnae currently serving in elected office across the United States;
• More than 715 Emerge alumnae on the ballot in 2020;
• In the 2019 election, 213 Emerge alumnae won their elections;
• 52% of Emerge alumnae have run for office or been appointed to local boards or commissions;
• Strong record of diversity: 37% of our alumnae self-identify as women of color.

Emerge

Emerge Massachusetts is a state affiliate of Emerge, which has trained more than 4,000 women to run for office since 2002. Emerge alumnae across the country have won more the 1,000 elections to date and hold office at every level of government. There are currently Emerge affiliates in 29 states — Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado,  Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin with plans to expand to more soon. Women who graduate from Emerge Massachusetts’ training program are plugged into both the state network of Emerge Massachusetts alumnae, as well as the national network of Emerge alumnae across the country.

Why Women?

• Studies have shown women in elected office overwhelmingly support and push forward democratic principles like equality and fairness.
• When women hold public office they are more actively involved in a variety of gender-salient issue areas, including healthcare, the economy, education and the environment.
• Women legislators are more responsive to constituents, value cooperation over hierarchical power and find ways to engineer solutions in situations where men have trouble finding common ground.