THE PROGRAM
Republican party structure
Workings of local, state and federal government
Economic development
Managing and planning campaigns
Fundraising
Communications training and public speaking
News media
Current issues and events
Personal values
Political philosophies
The series culminates with a three-day summit
in Washington, D.C. where participants hear from national leaders
and network with programs from other states.
Each year, 8-12 women are selected to be a part of the series.
Minnesotas' series, founded
by Mary Igo, began in October 2007. The class of 2009-2010 is our
third class to enter the program. There are more than 20 other
states with active programs. More than 1,000 women, ranging in ages
from 21 to 65, have graduated from the series across the United
States.
Nationally the series began in 1989 when a handful of Indiana
businesswomen wanted Republican women to be better represented in
elected and appointed offices in all levels of government. So they
vowed to increase those numbers with the help of Republican party
leaders Judy Singleton, Terese Lubbers and United States Senator
Richard G. Lugar to help them create the nation’s first program (in
Indiana).
Graduates
2009
Lisa Belak, Roseville
Jennifer DeJournett, Maple Grove
Kelly Fenton, Woodbury
Anna Marie Lima, Minneapolis
Marisa Novak, Woodbury
Emily Pugh, Bloomington
Pamela Punt, Shakopee
Melissa Roberts, Cohasset
Amy Jo Stark, Plymouth
2008
Diane Anderson, Eagan
Dawn Bryant, Brooklyn Park
Connie Doepke, Wayzata
Corrine Gintz, Elk River
Lori Grivna, Shoreview
Wendy Haavisto, Inver Grove Heights
Carinda Horton, Duluth
Mary Giuliani Stephens, Woodbury
Donna Reiter, Cambridge
Lynne Torgerson, Minneapolis