In the United States, running for office requires significant financial resources, donor networks and other connections, and the flexibility to commit time to campaigning. These requirements shape who is able to enter politics long before voters show up to the polls. When discussions about the gender disparity in political leadership arise, the focus is on …

Public service captured my heart at the age of 16 in my 10th grade civics class and every step I have taken through my career in politics has been one step closer to fulfilling my purpose in life. However, I do not have a roadmap or a template I have copied, pasted, or seamlessly executed. …