Ready to Run 2015: Laying the Groundwork for Public Life

On Saturday, March 14, I again served as a panelist at the annual “Ready to Run” series sponsored by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University. Last year, I was part of “Run, Sister, Run,” one of the pre-conference panels for women of color (the others are “Eleccion Latina” and “Rising Stars”). Click on the link for my post on last year's conference, "Maintaining One's Sense of Integrity: Run, Sister, Run."

This year, I was a panelist on “Laying the Groundwork for Public Life,” which focused on women who have been serving as public leaders. The session was described as one where you could “learn everything you have ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask” about preparing for life in the public eye from the local to the state levels. Ruth Mandel, Director of the Eagleton Institute, moderated our panel, which included Azra Baig of the South Brunswick Board of Education--the first South Asian woman (and the first Muslim) to serve on the board. I had first met Azra last year while down in Trenton (she was newly-elected then), so it was great to hear of her experience after a year on the board. The other women on the panel were Assemblywoman Donna Simon of the 16th District, and former Mayor of Highland Park, the Honorable Meryl Frank. 

The questions from the audience focused on balancing one's personal life with one's public duties, raising one's profile, and examining the various offices available to serve in. The responses from the panel were truly insightful--I learned a great deal. Click on the link to learn more about the Center for American Women and Politics.

Best,

Rebecca