Women are both naturally suited for and extremely effective in politics. It is second nature for them to cooperate, include all voices, and discover all sides of an issue. This is exactly what a good politician does, and is necessary for good government at any level from local to national. Recognizing that, this book asks women to look at themselves, maybe for the first time, through the leadership lens. Rodriguez and Richards are confident that when they do, women will see how they routinely show leadership every day, no matter their life's path. Such skills, always associated with Management, certainly qualify them to pursue public office. Further, the authors totally debunk the myth that politics is reserved for the privileged or the intellectually elite. They give inside tips based on the experience of Maria Rodriguez as a two-term Mayor, a U.S. Congressional candidate, and a recent contender for Lt. Governor of Illinois. Richards brings her own kind of experience as a seasoned volunteer and award-winning author. Together they provide questions to ask yourself, things to consider, and a veritable map to getting someone, including yourself, elected. You will see how and where to start, what to do along the way, and how to raise money. Find out whom to trust, how to hire and when to fire staff, how to amass a pool of volunteers, and how to use them when you do. Campaign materials and events are discussed, as well as the protocols for both winning and losing. If more women enter politics, they will help raise the political bar, just as they have raised cultural bars for centuries. This is the book for anyone who wants to help change the country for the better, and even remotely considered running for office. It shows you how.
