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Why We're Here

At Women’s Democracy Lab we envision a world liberated, where we can live safely as our whole and authentic selves, grounded in our unique histories, identities, and stories.

But our democracy today is rooted in white supremacy – designed to exclude Indigenous women and women of color. This makes political representation difficult to attain or completely inaccessible and influences how we are perceived and treated when elected. Moreover, the minimal support we receive when we run for office often evaporates after we’re elected.

That’s why our vision is to radically re-imagine what leadership looks like and to ensure Indigenous women and women of color can thrive in elected office. Our mission is to build a community of belonging for elected Indigenous women and women of color where together we create solutions to tackle specific structural barriers such as the racial wealth gap, gendered harassment and hate, patronage, elitism, and the persistent glass ceilings.

Collectively, these components allow us to provide a safe harbor for us to create shared power, decolonize the political process, and deconstruct a white supremacy mindset. When Indigenous women and women of color are centered as full, authentic leaders in our political process and systems, liberation is possible.

As an organization both led by and exclusively serving Indigenous women and women of color, our shared lived experiences uniquely position us to build this bold vision for our democracy. To tear down systemic white supremacy, to rebuild our institutions in an inclusive and equitable model, and to reach the dream of liberation, we must elect, protect, and support Indigenous women and women of color. Women’s Democracy Lab is doing just that.

Our North Star

Our North Star is shaping WDL to uniquely serve as a leading, trusted destination organization for elected Indigenous women and women of color, as well as those seeking to engage with or support them.

Our Approach

WDL seeks to build immediate, mid-term, and long-term solutions to address the escalating physical, mental, emotional, and economic threats faced by Indigenous women and women of color in politics, with a secondary audience of elected family members and immediate staff.

Our Approach

Central to our approach is ensuring that our members voices and perspectives are included. When cultivating programs we leverage the collective wisdom and influence of our members to inform strategic decision-making, enhance program effectiveness, and strengthen organizational impact, by ensuring our initiatives are rooted in the experiences and insights of those we serve.

Reimagine

We recognize that our systems of governance and political participation were built by and for white men. From dress codes to parliamentary procedure, politics in America are designed to be exclusive, not inclusive. When we are at the table, women like us are often pigeonholed as single-issue figures, treated solely as representatives of our racial or ethnic groups rather than as whole and complex people. Evolving America in our image, rather than the image of white men, demands a radical reimagining of political leadership.

Rest/Replenish

We recognize that being an elected official can damage our mental, physical and emotional health. This is compounded for women like us because of the high and unique expectations set on us. Beyond the job itself, we struggle with the socioeconomic disparities between us and our white counterparts, disproportionate scrutiny of our appearance, demands to serve both a geographic and racial/ethnic constituency, and attacks on our very place in America. Only sacred rest can ensure that we can thrive as leaders.

Resource

We recognize that the significant racial wealth gap in the United States limits who can succeed in elected office. In addition to financial disparities, women like us are hampered by the lingering and racist perception that we are less viable candidates than white men. We struggle to raise money while campaigning and must fight to financially sustain ourselves in poorly paid legislative positions that demand full-time commitment for less than minimum wage. Comprehensive support for our leadership requires adequate attention to financial resources.

Programs

Our programs address elected Indigenous women, women and femmes of color, and those seeking to engage with or support them most pressing challenges, including fostering a sense of belonging, ensuring safety, securing a living wage, and delivering culturally responsive professional development.

Future Presidents Project

Future Presidents Project is a transformative and restorative program providing elected Indigenous women and women/femmes of color with a supportive space to foster solidarity, build a national network of support, and strengthen their leadership skills.

Lead2030

Lead2030 supports the potential for elected Indigenous women and women/femmes of color to run for (and stay in) state legislatures by placing them in paid fellowships at nonprofit organizations to lead solutions-based projects.

Safety in Service: 2024 Overview

Safety in Service seeks to address escalating threats faced by elected Indigenous women and women/femmes of color, creating safe healing spaces for leaders to share, reclaim agency, & contribute foundational solutions.

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