Hanging at the very top of my bulletin board in every office that I had during my career at NBC News was a quote from then-Senate candidate Dianne Feinstein that I clipped out of the New York Times in 1992, the year I graduated from American University. It famously read “Two percent may be good for fat in milk, but it's bad for women in the U.S. Senate.” I came of age professionally in the “Year of the Woman” when four newly elected women senators brought the two percent up to six percent. In some ways women have come along way, but we still have a long way to go.
 
Founded in 2000, the Women & Politics Institute is one of the nation’s leading centers for political leadership training and scholarly research with a focus on how women can engage effectively in the political process. The Institute offers graduate and undergraduate certificates in Women, Policy, and Political Leadership, provides a training program for those interested in running for office or leading a political campaign, and facilitates research to understand the challenges that women face in politics in the U.S.

This mission remains critical.
 
Having the opportunity to be back at AU's School of Public Affairs to lead this important institute is incredibly exciting. I invite you to stay involved or get involved. Together we can work toward closing the gender gap in politics.