INDIANAPOLIS – Less than a week after 16 Hoosier Women Forward class members and alumnae won 16 primary election races across Indiana, Democratic women are encouraged to apply for the next class of this established leadership development program.
Launched in 2018, HWF is aimed at preparing and propelling Democratic women into public, private, and community service roles in Indiana. By the end of this month, 111 women will have completed the program; 40 alumnae or class members will have run for office, with 24 of those who ran winning a general election or contested primary.
HWF graduates are seeking positions at varying levels of government, including mayor’s offices, township boards, county councils, the state legislature, and more. In addition, a number of HWF graduates are now county chairs and congressional district chairs for the Democratic Party.
HWF alumnae are also engaged in local efforts focused on growing clean energy, improving maternal health, raising awareness of sexual assault and sex trafficking, and supporting communities of color.
“The talented and compassionate women of Hoosier Women Forward continue to make an impressive impact on their communities,” said HWF Executive Director Amy Levander. “We are proud of their initiative and leadership, and we’re looking forward to building on their success with the next HWF class.”
The deadline to apply for the sixth HWF class is June 21. The nonprofit’s board will select a group of up to 24 Democratic women through a competitive process. Those who are chosen will participate in a nine-month leadership training program that will begin later this summer.
Women selected for HWF must demonstrate an interest in public policy, political advocacy, and moving Indiana forward with progressive policies and ideas. The nonprofit will strive to ensure that each class has a diverse background of personal and professional life experiences reflecting the economic, geographical, ethnic, and cultural diversity in Indiana.
Below are the women who currently comprise the HWF Board of Directors:
- State Rep. Cherrish Pryor, Chair
- Ronnetta Spalding, Vice-Chair
- Shannon Mears, Secretary
- Veena Rao-Mirmira, Treasurer
- Camille Blunt
- Arielle Brandy
- Sujata Barai Chugh
- Stephanie Crandall
- Annette Craycraft
- Anne Doran
- Kaisa Goodman
- Emily Gurwitz
- State Rep. Carey Hamilton
- Heather Harris
- Cynthia Johnson
- Crystal Melton
- Melissa Morehead Moore
- Andrea Scott
- Elise Shrock
- Former State Sen. Vi Simpson
- Adrienne Watson
- Patricia Yount
To apply for the HWF leadership development program, please go to: http://hoosierwomenforward.org/apply/.
A Section 527 nonprofit political organization, Hoosier Women Forward raises funds through private donations and fundraising events. To learn more about the nonprofit, you can go to www.hoosierwomenforward.org, or visit the organization on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
