Called to Speak: Six Strategies That Encourage Women's Political Activism

Publication Date: April 2006

Publisher: Institute for Women's Policy Research

Author(s): Amy Caiazza

Research Area: Culture and religion; Politics; Social conditions

Keywords: religion; leadership; politics; women

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Called to Speak outlines six successful strategies used by interfaith community groups to encourage women's political activism and leadership. These programs provide women something both simple and profound: the resources and opportunities they need to claim a voice of political and religious authority. Successful strategies described in the report include providing role models for women's political and religious leadership, creating space for women to address their discomfort with public voice, developing opportunities for women to cross lines of race, religion, and class, providing opportunities that ease women into leadership roles, developing mentoring programs, and making engagement easy and appealing based on the needs and concerns of women's lives.

The report includes in-depth examples of how organizations have used these strategies to successfully encourage women's political activism.