Women and Politics

Edie Fraser and Dr. Janette Harris with Rising Stars

In an event that brought together both established and rising leaders, the Inaugural Hill’s Got Talent Happy Hour on Wednesday was a “spirited” success! Over 200 people attended to raise their glasses in a toast to the next generation of national female leaders. Chiefs of Staff on the hill recognized their female staffers as Rising Stars in the political arena.

Not only did the Hill’s Got Talent recognize the 48 young women named as Rising Stars, it connected them and other young women in attendance with elected officials, candidates, and leaders of national organizations.

Congresswoman and WCF-Endorsed Alumni, Dina Titus (D-NV), along with Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) attended, enforcing the WCF values of leaders mentoring and supporting the next generation of female talent.

Rep. Dina Titus, Ann McLane Kuster, Sam Bennett, Krystal Ball

WCF-endorsed candidates Ann McLane Kuster, (the daughter of a WCF founder) running for Congress in New Hampshire’s 2nd district, and Krystal Ball, running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st district, had the opportunity to network, support their campaigns, and inspired the young women present to seek office themselves.

Our Rising Stars also had the opportunity to met legends Alice Cohan, Political Director of the Feminist Majority Foundation, and Karen Mulhauser, former NARAL and Planned Parenthood leader as well as founder of Mulhauser and Associates.

Our Special Guests and Celebrity Bartenders served up drinks and connections:

• Dr. Janette Hoston Harris, the first City Historian of Washington, DC and president of J. H. Harris & Associates.
• Edie Fraser, Chair of the Diversity Executive Search Practice and Managing Director of Diversified Search Ray & Berndtson.
• Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, Director of the Research, Public Policy, and Information Center for African American Women for the National Council of Negro Women.
• Dean Thomas, National Beer Wholesalers Association

In a brief but stirring speaking program, WCF President and CEO Siobhan “Sam” Bennett spoke of her own experience running for office. She explained how vital it is that those like her, who have “taken a machete to the jungle” of political leadership encourage, support, and help the next generation of women leaders.

Kalah Auchincloss, WCF Board Member and Chair of the WCF Next Generation Program emphasized that women’s leadership must be passed on, generation helping generation.

WCF Board Members also graced the room with their presence including Board Member Margaret Kavalaris. Thanks to them and our incredible partners, especially the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who so generously hosted the event at their picturesque headquarters. Without the support of the board and our partners, this incredible opportunity would not have been possible.

If you’re a young woman interested in the incredible networking and mentoring opportunities that WCF offers through programs like Hills Got Talent, please check out our Next Generation Program.

We look forward to celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of women on the Hill in the years to come!