Aspiring female politicians flock to campaign boot camp at Yale
Seventy-four students from across the globe are attending The Campaign School at Yale this week. It's an intensive boot camp for women in politics and men who work on their campaigns.
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Aspiring politicians from around the world are at Yale Law School this week.
And all are women.
The Campaign School at Yale is marking its 30th year this summer, and the lessons for female candidates are changing.
WOMEN IN POLITICS
In 1975, Ella Grasso made history.
Not only did she become Connecticut’s first female governor, but she was the first woman elected governor in her own right in the United States.
Working with her was a young Patti Russo, who now runs the Campaign School at Yale – an intensive boot-camp focused on fundraising, advertising and messaging.
“Our mission is to increase the number of women in the political pipeline,” she said. “Predominantly for women who want to run for office or run campaigns, and for men who support women candidates.”
The school is for Republicans, Democrats, independents and women who just want a seat at the table. This year’s class includes 74 students; 60% are minorities and 16 are from Connecticut.
That includes April Wennerstrom, who is considering a run for Norwalk Common Council
“Don’t we make up more than 50% of the population in this country?” she said. “A lot of decisions being made for women by men. And I don’t think, from my perspective, there has been enough representation."
CHANGING TIMES
The program has launched several high-profile careers, including New York Sen. Kristen Gillibrand and former Rep. Gabby Giffords.
But a lot has changed since it was founded in 1994.
Today, The Campaign School at Yale includes classes on artificial intelligence and personal safety.
“Five years ago, we decided to put in a whole core module on security on the campaign trail, both trolling online, as well as physical security on the campaign trail,” Russo said. “Never do anything alone if you don’t have to. I have a personal rule; I don’t allow any of our students to go door-to-door alone. No one is going into anyone’s home.”
Social media has also dramatically altered campaign messaging.
“It’s briefer,” Russo said. “The attention span of people is shorter.”
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, according to one of this year’s students. At 26, Emma Barron is Fairfield’s youngest elected official. She used Instagram to reach Gen Z voters.
“Most of the people I know my age had no idea what the RTM was before I started to get involved,” she said. “They were also starting to learn and take the journey with me.”
WANT TO JOIN?
In addition to the weeklong summer session, The Campaign School at Yale also runs a one-day boot camp.
Click HERE to apply.
