State of Women in Leadership in Idaho & Beyond
Dr. Gary Moncrief of Boise State asks, "Wouldn't it be nice one day if you could wake up and see this headline in the newspaper 'Women Dominate Elections'?- Structural factors
- Single member districts vs multi-member districts; selectorates
- Women feel they have a tougher time raising money.
- Dr. Moncrief's research shows that once women are in the race they raise money just as well as men)
- Women feel they may not have the social connection with influencers in the process.
- There are pools of networking influence that women are already tapped into through their jobs, personal lives that can be leveraged better
- Women tend to put off running until children leave home
- That gap is decreasing
- Idaho: Five biggest governments with non partisan elections in Ada County are currently 44% women
- Idaho: But there is only one female mayor in the valley and no women on the Eagle or Caldwell city councils
- Idaho: We have never had a woman governor or a US Senator
- Idaho: Currently there are no women on the State Supreme Court
- Idaho: 2 women from Idaho have served in the US House
- Idaho: Currently there are numerous women in Administrative positions - including Go Lead Idaho Speakers Celia Gould & Nancy Merrill
- National: Only 17% of both the House and Senate are women
- Global: Among national legislatures, the US Congress ranks 67 for percentage of women represented, tied with Turkemnistan, behind Venezuela, Kazakhstand and Greece.
- Every decade since the 1970s the gain is smaller for women in elected leadership
Kicking off Go Lead Idaho
Packed house of women with a passion and interest in leadership sacrificing a sunny Saturday to get involved and help Go Lead Idaho.
Lt. Governor Brad Little kicking it off by channelling Margaret Thatcher..."In politics if you want anything ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman."
Three key attributes you need to get involved in public policy and politics:
- Can you listen to the people you represent?
- Do you have the tenacity to stick with it?
- Do you have tough enough skin to handle the job
- Jess
Are You Ready to Go Lead Idaho?
Still wondering if Go Lead Idaho is the place for you on Saturday? Consider this....
'Go Lead' Gathers Professionals & Politicians from across Idaho to Advocate for Advancement of Women in Leadership
GO LEAD EVENT GATHERS PROFESSIONALS AND POLITICIANS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Boise, Idaho – (May 17, 2011) – Idaho’s women have many reasons to be proud. According to a report by American Express, Idaho ranks 25th in the nation for growth of women-owned companies, and 15th in the nation for their revenue growth since 1997. Approximately $4.2 billion is pumped into Idaho’s economy each year by the roughly 36,300 women-owned businesses headquartered here and combined, these companies boast more than 33,000 employees.
However, when it comes to state government, Idaho’s women are fiercely under-represented, holding just under 28 percent of the legislative seats. According to Rutgers, only six women have been elected as statewide officials since the beginning of Idaho’s history.
These statistics, mirrored across the nation, led to the inception of The White House Project (www.thewhitehouseproject.org), the nationally recognized, not-for-profit organization that aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, including the U.S. presidency.
The White House Project is bringing its award-winning Go Lead Training to Idaho on May 21 at the Boise State University Student Union Building.
Led by regional experts, this nonpartisan, intense, one-day seminar offers insight, skills and trainings in public speaking, leadership development and board/commission appointments to empower Idaho’s women to take on stronger leadership roles in their communities.
“The genesis of this project locally should be credited to the Treasure Valley Public Policy Project, Idaho Women Lawyers, and a handful of very influential women in our communities,” said Britt Ide, local businesswoman and lead coordinator. “We saw a real need to give women the confidence and knowledge they need to go after leadership positions in their businesses and communities and in policy and politics here in Idaho.”
The first annual event will take place Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Boise State University Student Union Building. To register, please visit www.GoLeadIdaho.org. The cost is $50.00 and includes lunch. Scholarships may be available by contacting the White House Project.
Passionate Organizations Making Go Lead Idaho Possible
Silver Sponsors
- Elaine French
- Strindberg & Scholnick
- Idaho NAWBO Members
- Ide Law & Strategy, PLLC
- Pipal Consulting, LLC
- Richardson & O'Leary
Go Lead Idaho Agenda
We are just under two weeks out from Go Lead Idaho! We're looking forward to a day filled with inspiration, training and opportunity - all designed to encourage women to embrace leadership positions in their workplaces, their communities and in policy and politics.
The Go Lead organizing committee is proud to unveil the day's lineup.... have you registered yet?
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8:30- 9:00 am
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Registration and Networking |
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9:00- 9:15 am |
Welcome Future Leaders of Idaho |
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9:15-9:45 am
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Welcome to Go Lead and Training Overview Katie Groke Ellis, Regional Director, The White House Project Video- The White House Project Introduction: Britt Ide, Ide Law & Strategy, PLLC , and Julie Pipal, Pipal Consulting LLC |
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9:45- 10:30 am |
State of Women in Leadership in Idaho & Beyond Gary Moncrief, Professor, Department of Political Science, Boise State University Introduction: Karianne Fallow, Red Sky Public Relations |
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10:30-11:30 am
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Inspiration: Potential of Women in Leadership in Idaho & Beyond Key Note Speaker: Cherie Buckner-Webb, Idaho State Representative and nationally recognized speaker, trainer, consultant, coach and singer Introduction: Kim Toryanski, Deputy Administrator, Idaho Division of Human Resources
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11:30am- 1:00pm
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Lunch – Why Women Matter Panel Celia Gould, Director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Former Idaho State Representative Lauren McLean, Boise City Councilwoman Nancy Merrill, Director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Former Eagle Mayor Cathy Silak, Dean of the Concordia Law School, Former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Moderator: Natalie Camacho-Mendoza, Camacho Mendoza Coulter Law Group PLLC |
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1:00-1:30 pm |
Break |
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1:30- 2:30 pm |
Dressing Up Your Message: Delivering to Diverse Audiences Jessica Flynn, CEO, Red Sky Public Relations Gemma Gaudette, News anchor and host, KIVI Channel 6 Rochelle DeLong, Founder, Consilio Business Managers Introduction: Anne Wilde, The HR & Benefits Advisor, PLLC |
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2:30-3:15 pm |
Break & Networking: Go Meet, Go Lead Patio, weather permitting |
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3:15- 4:15 pm |
Panel: Leadership on Boards & Commissions Maryanne Jordan, Boise City Council President Julie Pipal, Chair of the Meridian Development Corporation, Former Mgr. Office of Budget, Policy & Intergovernmental Relations at Idaho Transportation Department Robin Sandy, Chair of the Idaho Board of Corrections Moderator: Lee Flinn, Conservation Voters of Idaho |
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4:15-4:45 pm
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Closing Comments & Invitation to Lead Wendy Olson, U.S. Attorney for Idaho Introduction: Christine Salmi, Perkins Coie LLP
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4:45-5:00 pm
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Call to Action and Action Committees Britt Ide, Ide Law & Strategy, PLLC |
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Diverse Group of Individuals & Organizations Support Go Lead Idaho

Go Lead Idaho would not be possible without the support and contributions from a diverse group of individuals, organizations and companies - all dedicated to empowering Idaho women to take on stronger leadership roles in their communities.
Our special thanks to the following sponsors:
Platinum
- BSU College of Social Sciences & Public Affairs
- Camacho Mendoza Colter
- Idaho Women Lawyers
- Perkins Coie, LLP
Gold
- Banducci Woodard Schwartzman
- Elam & Burke
- Hawley Troxell
- Red Sky Public Relations
- The HR & Benefits Advisor, PLLC
Silver
- Elaine French
- Strindberg & Scholnick
- Idaho NAWBO Members
- Ide Law & Strategy, PLLC
- Pipal Consulting, LLC
- Richardson & O'Leary
Learn more and remember to register for the May 21 event! We'll be sharing the agenda overview later this week.
Register Now for Go Lead Idaho!
"The fastest way to change society
is to mobilize the women of the world."
- Charles Malik, fmr president, UN General Assembly
The White House Project is bringing its award-winning Go Lead Training to Idaho this spring on May 21 from 9am - 5pm at Boise State University.
Led by regional experts, this nonpartisan intense one-day seminar offers insight, skills and trainings in public speaking, leadership development and board/commission appointments to empower Idaho’s women to take on stronger leadership roles in their communities.
Join Us. Go Lead Idaho.
What You Can Do NOW:
- Subscribe to this blog's RSS Feed
- REGISTER to attend Go Lead Idaho on May 21.
Registration is handled through the White House Project, a non-profit focused on advancing women’s leadership in all communities and sectors—up to the U.S. presidency—by filling the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical mass of women. - Connect with fellow attendees on the Go Lead Idaho Facebook Event page
- Join the Treasure Valley Public Policy's LinkedIn Group
- Tweet, post, friend and share the news about this event (Hashtag #GoLeadID)
- Print off and post, or download and email the below event flyer
- REGISTER TODAY!
Community Leader in Life
It is with great sadness that we share the sad news that Sharon Dollinger has passed away, yesterday at home. It was totally unexpected. Sharon was a driving force in NAWBO who participated with her whole heart and soul. She promoted NAWBO to the many women business owners that she came in contact with. Her work on the programs this year and the various committees in the past have helped the drive the chapter's presence. She will be missed greatly. Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to her husband and family, and also to Zions Bank where she served as the Vice President of Zions Bank's Women's Financial Group where much of her work was focused on assisting women entrepreneurs.
Women-owned businesses create $4.2 billion of Idaho economy
Idaho has about 36,300 women-owned businesses that employ more than 33,000 people and contribute about $4.2 billion to the state's economy, according to a report based on U.S. Census data.
The report by American Express said Idaho ranks 25th in the nation for growth of women-owned companies, and 15th in the nation for their revenue growth since 1997.
The number of Idaho companies owned by women has grown 41 percent since 1997, compared with the national growth rate of 50 percent.
However, the women-owned business workforce had a larger growth spurt in Idaho than in the U.S. That segment of employees in Idaho has grown about 29 percent since 1997, or more than three times the national average of about 8 percent, according to the data.
To see the full report, go to http://www.openforum.com/women.
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