On March 3, 2003, The White House Project launched its latest initiative Why Women Matter: Lessons About Women's Political Leadership from Home and Abroad. The Summit brought together leading national and international experts who participated in panel and roundtable discussions that explored strategies for increasing women's political participation in the United States.
International speakers drew from their own experiences in trying to get their national governments to support the entrance of women into high-level positions of political leadership. Marjorie Mowlam of Great Britain noted that "It is important for women to not just be in office, but to be in power."
Over 400 people attended the summit meetings in Washington DC on March 3rd and in San Francisco on March 6th. Madeleine Albright gave the keynote address in Washington and set the tone for discussions by domestic experts who expanded the discussion to specifically address strategies and problem areas in improving the situation in the United States. In San Francisco, local grassroots organizations were the focus and roundtables honed in on specific efforts that will help get more women in high-level political leadership positions.
All in all, the summit was a tremendous success, providing participants with the groundwork for a collective movement that works to promote women's leadership across the country. The White House Project would like to thank all those who participated and helped make the event so spectacular.
Full Report (PDF)
