Registration open for political workshop for women

Michigan voters will elect a governor, lieutenant governor and other state officials in November. How many people who win state offices will be women?

To help boost the number of women serving in local, state and national politics, Grand Valley will host the third annual “Ready to Run Michigan,” a bipartisan campaign training workshop designed to encourage women to run for office.

The workshop is set for May 3 at Lansing Community College. Cost to attend is $125. Space is limited, and some scholarships are available.

Hosting the workshop at sites around the state gives more women the opportunity to attend, according to event organizers. The workshop will include sessions on campaign planning, fundraising, media training and messaging. Campaign professionals will lead trainings, and elected and appointed female politicians are scheduled to speak and provide insight.

Michigan ranks 36th in the nation in the number of women serving in the state legislature. There are four women senators (out of 38 seats) and 24 representatives (110 seats).

Ready to Run Michigan is co-sponsored by SMG Strategies, Revere Consulting LLC and the Michigan ACE Women’s Network, with support from the Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics.