American University's Jennifer Lawless named recipient of Women's Fund's 'She Changes the World' award

Gender and politics expert to keynote fund's institute graduation.

Jennifer Lawless has been named the recipient of The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts' "She Changes the World Award." Submitted 

Jennifer Lawless, director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University in Washington, has been named the recipient of The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts' "She Changes the World Award."

Lawless, cited for her "leadership in demystifying women's roles in electoral politics," will be the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony for the fund's Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact.

The award presentation and graduation will be held on May 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

The institute encourages women to think about becoming more involved as civic leaders in their communities and running for office. Focusing on areas such as community organizing, the legislative process and policy-making, fund-raising and campaigning, the institute seeks to give women the tools - and the confidence - they need to become political leaders.

Lawless is the author of "Becoming a Candidate: Political Ambition and the Decision to Run for Office," and co-author of "It Still Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don't Run for Office."

An associate professor in the government department at American University, she is widely cited as an expert on gender and politics in many media outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.

A total of 34 women from the four counties of Western Massachusetts are among this year's institute graduates.

Some already hold local offices, others are managing political campaigns, and others are pursuing leadership positions on boards of directors.

At each of the institute's training sessions, a woman working at the elected level presents her experiences. These have included former Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins, Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong and Holyoke City Councilor Gladys Lebron. among others.

"The 2012 elections increased the number of women in the U.S. Congress to 20 percent, and clearly that is not representative of where we need to be," said Julie Kimble, institute director, in a release.

Carla Oleska, chief executive officer of the fund, added in the release that the institute is "developing a cadre of women leaders who will learn the next steps, support one another, and get involved at levels where they can make a tremendous difference in our communities."

The year-long institute will begin for new members in September and applications are being accepted through June 2013. Applications are available on the foundation's website www.womensfund.net

Cost for the May 22 event is $30 and includes hors d'oeuvres. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time by calling the fund at (413) 529-0087, ext. 10, or registering online at www.womensfund.net

2013 graduates of the Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact

Catherine VanBramer
Pittsfield
Berkshire County

Claudette Webster
Great Barrington
Berkshire

Donna Rivers
Pittsfield
Berkshire

Jane Sugarman
Pittsfield
Berkshire

LindaTyer
Pittsfield
Berkshire

Roberta Mcculloch-Dews
Hinsdale
Berkshire

Celia Caffery
Leyden
Franklin

Jessie Cooley
South Deerfield
Franklin

Laura Sylvester
Shutesbury
Franklin

Lisa McLoughlin
Northfield
Franklin

Mary McCarthy
Greenfield
Franklin

Angela Cerruti
Holyoke
Hampden

Gina Marie Carilli
Springfield
Hampden

Hajarah Taylor-Mapp
Springfield
Hampden

Ivette Cruz
Springfield
Hampden

Jacqueline Bouchereau
Springfield
Hampden

Jennifer Berman
Holyoke
Hampden

Lizzy Ortiz
Springfield
Hampden

Luz Rivera
Springfield
Hampden

Luzelenia Casanova
Chicopee
Hampden

Maria Puppolo
Springfield
Hampden

Maureen Cayer
E. Longmeadow
Hampden

Sandra Kosko
W. Springfield
Hampden

Annette Macaluso
Northampton
Hampshire

Carol Constant
South Hadley
Hampshire

Chelsea Kline
Northampton
Hampshire

Dana Carnegie
Amherst
Hampshire

Jennifer Gallant
Florence
Hampshire

Jody Kasper
Easthampton
Hampshire

Johanna Andreoli
Easthampton
Hampshire

Kristen Elechko
Florence
Hampshire

Rose Egan
Northampton
Hampshire

Touria Eaton
Amherst
Hampshire

Victoria Rosen
Northampton
Hampshire