Emerge Vermont opens applications for class of 2024

August 1, 2023  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Emerge Vermont, the statewide organization for recruiting and training Democratic women to run for political office, is accepting applications for its 2024 training program that begins in January. 

The new attendees will join a diverse network of political leaders who have come through the program.  “We are excited to launch our application so we can train another class of powerful Democratic women from communities across Vermont,” said Executive Director Elaine Haney. “The effectiveness of our training is clear.”

Haney points to successes among program graduates in winning elected office at the local, state and national levels. “Currently, 45% of our alums and trainees are in office; 54% have been in office, and 67% have run for office,” she said in the announcement. 

Women who have completed the program work to staff political campaigns at all levels, she added. “Emerge Vermont builds the confidence and skills to run successful campaigns and has a proven track record for getting Democratic women elected,” Haney said. 

Emerge Vermont’s five-month program offers Democratic women who want to run for public office more than 70 hours of training geared to inspire participants to run for office. It’s led by a team of campaign consultants, advisors, and staff from all over Vermont who have been involved in successful campaigns and initiatives in recent election cycles. Participants learn from the experts to develop practical knowledge in areas such as public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, media and messaging, and others. 

The experience also ushers potential future candidates into a network of supportive women who hold elected and appointed office. 

“Now more than ever, Vermont needs women's voices in our elected offices and political institutions up and down the ballot. Whether it’s school boards, town select boards, in the Legislature, or in Congress, we’ve seen time and time again that when women lead, everyone wins,” Haney said. “Emerge is proud of our part in empowering women and we can’t wait to continue this mission with our Class of 2024.” 

Emerge Vermont marks its 10th anniversary this year. Since its launch in 2013 by former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin, 186 women have participated in its Signature Training Program, and dozens more have participated in other programs. Program alumni and trainees currently hold 123 elected and appointed public offices, including U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt, the state’s first woman to be elected to Congress, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Attorney General Charity Clark. Women now hold 45% of the seats in the Vermont Legislature, the largest portion in history. 

Applications are open through Oct. 20 for the five-month program expected to begin on Jan. 6. More information online at vt.emergeamerica.org/application-process.

Emerge Vermont is affiliated with the national Emerge organization that trains women candidates across the United States.