Women Learn How to Prepare to Run for Elected Office in From Harvard Square to the Oval Office

As this year's presidential election has shown, female candidates face unique challenges in the political arena. Kate Coyne-McCoy, Northeast regional director of EMILY’s List and Women and Public Policy Program (WAPPP) fellow, addressed these obstacles in the political training program From Harvard Square to the Oval Office ("Oval Office"). This October, Coyne-McCoy conducted the first training session of the year, 'Making the Decision,' on the crucial steps to becoming a political candidate and the preparations of running for office.

Coyne-McCoy inspired the students to reflect on their personal reasons to run for office and what they can offer as a candidate. Before making the commitment, the students learned they must effectively formulate a campaign message, define their candidate platforms, raise funds to cover campaign costs and achieve a comprehensive understanding of both their constituency and the current political atmosphere.

Coyne-McCoy told the students about “getting your house in order,” consisting ofthoroughly reviewing their employment and educational histories, financial and investment records, voting records and memberships and organizational affiliations. She also stressed the importance of growing a network of supporters by gathering and keeping track of contacts made through work events and social gatherings.

“Most women don't realize that they have been building coalitions all their lives,” she said. “If you organized your kids' carpool or the PTA meeting,you've built a coalition.”

Oval Office is an initiative of the Women and Public Policy Program that provides a select group of Harvard students with the training and support they need to ascend in the electoral process at the local, state and national levels.

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For more information on the Oval Office program, click here or contact wappp@harvard.edu.