1. Sheneal Parker Research Fellow
Civically Engaged Mothers of Color and the Challenges of Political Leadership
Sheneal Parker
Research Fellow
Pathways to Political Leadership for Women of Color
A Research Partnership between the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy and Women’s Pipeline for Change

2. Project Background
Limited scholarship exists on women of color who are mothers and politically active in their communities.
Need to deepen understanding of barriers mothers of color face in entering and sustaining a political career.

3. Research Questions
How do civically engaged mothers of color enter into political careers (including running for office or seeking other positions of political leadership)?
How do those in elected or other positions of political leadership sustain their careers?

4. Research Design Focus Group Interviews
Focus group conducted with 9 civically engaged mothers (both single and partnered) not currently working as elected officials or organizers
Interviews
Two interviews with mothers already in political careers about their life histories and how they first became civically engaged

5. Young Women of Color Focus Group Participants
Involvement in community and politics began at early age
Civics and leadership training in high school
Leadership Development Needs
Practical, hands-on training needed
Develop confidence, build networks

6. Foundation for Political Influence
Community involvement provided a foundation for seeking elective office
Support (including financial) from elected officials and community activists was important
Name recognition increased political success
Mentorship from politically savvy women of color leaders was very helpful

7. Factors that Discourage Entry
The women in the focus groups as well as the elected officials stated that raising money is a barrier.
The challenges and barriers were related to a legacy of racism:
“As an elected official raising money is always a barrier. As you know, for African-American women, usually we’re the fourth group down.
It’s usually white men, black men, white women, and then black women in terms of raising money.”

8. Youth Involvement
The research shows that there is a blockage, where information is not being passed onto the next generation of young people. In addition, this group is being destroyed because of a lack of knowledge of their civic duties, and the skills needed to lead.
“In our community what we need is to focus more on the civic engagement piece
for our youth.”

9. “Build a team to make things happen.”
Mentorship
The research indicates that the women who had mentors and the support from other elected officials, or prominent community activist, were willing to run for office and did well.
Also, women of color are best motivated by having a political savvy mentor and a prominent community activist who could help them.
“Build a team to make things happen.”

10. Recommendations
PAC for women of color: All the women in the focus group indicated that fundraising is a big barrier for them. The PAC would be set up to encourage more women of color candidates to run for legislative and statewide offices knowing that they have this extra funding to support their campaign.
Political leadership program for youths of color: Most of the women agreed that in order to fill the pipeline of women leaders we start early by providing practical, hands-on training aimed at developing confidence and fostering the development of women leaders and allowing them the opportunity to build networks.
Political savvy mentor: This research shows that having a knowledge mentor to a answer questions and to give advice would make it easier for to run and win.

11. Sheneal Parker’s Project Or visit: www.umb/pipeline
For more information about Sheneal’s study, including video clips, photos, and summaries, please go to:
Sheneal Parker’s Project
Or visit: