Author: Katie Usalis

Katie Usalis is the programs and partnerships director at RepresentWomen, a research and advocacy hub dedicated to strengthening our democracy by advancing reforms that break down barriers, ensuring more women can run, win, serve and lead.

‘The Women Are Talking!’ Up Close and Personal With Women World Leaders at the 2024 Reykjavík Global Forum

Every November, political and community leaders from around the world bundle up and head to Reykjavík, Iceland, for the annual Reykjavík Global Forum on women’s representation and leadership, a beautifully curated, invitation-only opportunity to discuss our world’s most pressing issues, from a woman’s perspective.

This year, I not only had the opportunity to attend but also to sit down for a private conversation with three absolute legends: Mary Robinson, President of Ireland (1990-1997), Dr. Michelle Harrison, CEO of Verian and the Reykjavik Index for Leadership, and Senator Donna Dasko (Canada). Pull up a chair and join me to hear what these powerhouse women leaders have to say.

What Moms in Politics Really Want This Mother’s Day: Campaign-Funded Childcare

There are several obstacles moms face when entering politics—a big one being the lack of universal, affordable childcare.

For moms entering a political career at any level, allowing campaign funds to be used for childcare expenses is a critical first step to leveling the playing field for women candidates to run and win. Campaign-funded childcare means that both men and women candidates would no longer need to factor in childcare costs when deciding to run, which would blow open the doors for more and diverse women candidates to get their names on the ballot.

The Impact of Angela Merkel—What 16 Years of Women’s Leadership Can Get You

The Impact of Angela Merkel—What 16 Years of Women's Leadership Can Get You

How did Germany manage to elect Angela Merkel, a woman leader who achieved unity, stability and economic growth through some of the most turbulent years in history? Through political structures with inherently less barriers for women—namely, a mixed-member proportional representation electoral system and gender quotas. By and large, U.S. politics uses neither of these. But change is possible.