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The women who lead democracy reform

Sara Bonk, Jackie Salit, Justine Williams

While women remain significantly underrepresented in government, there is at least one adjacent field in which they have achieved gender parity in leadership: the universe of democracy reform and bridge-building organizations.

In its 2021 Diversity Report, the Bridge Alliance found that half of the executives leading its 100 member organizations are women. (Disclosure: The Fulcrum is a program within the Bridge Alliance, which brings together organizations working toward a healthy democracy.)


To mark Women’s History Month, The Fulcrum is spotlighting just some of the women leading these organizations.

Lindsay Bressman

Lindsay Bressman, Civic Spirit

Executive Director, Civic Spirit

"I am truly blessed to have been taught a fundamental principle from my mom, granny, and mother-in-law: Show up, roll up your sleeves, get to work, and be kind while doing it. Every minute is a gift; let gratitude be the inspiration and motivation to participate."

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Kamala Harris

Pollsters found that negative attitudes toward women make people much less likely to support Kamala Harris for president in 2024.

Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

U.S. voters say they’re ready for a woman president − but sexist attitudes still go along with opposition to Harris

Eichen is a PhD researcher of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Rhodes is an associate professor of political science at UMass Amherst. Nteta is a provost professor of political science and director of the UMass Amherst Poll.

Since President Joe Biden exited the presidential race on July 21, 2024, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris’ campaign has generated widespread enthusiasm and attention. She quickly became the official Democratic presidential nominee and erased Donald Trump’s lead over Biden in national and swing-state polling.

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Kamala Harris and Tim Walz walk onto a stage

Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz need to do real outreach to Gen Z if they want to win that segment of the vote, writes Tang.

Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Don't meme it: Harris/Walz must address Gen Z's real concerns to win

Tang is a rising senior at Deerfield Academy.

It started with coconuts, brats and idiosyncratic dances. It has expanded into pictures with piglets and Minnesota jokes now that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has joined the presidential race as Kamala Harris' running mate. Such viral posts represent the Democratic ticket’s reversal of fortune — the Harris campaign says it has raised more than $500 million since President Joe Biden exited the race.

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Vote counting in Maricopa County, Ariz.

Maricopa County (Ariz.) Elections Department staff count votes on Nov. 5, 2020.

Courtney Pedroza/Getty Images

We need federal officials to help keep an eye on vote counting

Herbits is an American businessman and former consultant to several secretaries of defense.

Former President Donald Trump has not yet committed to accepting the results of the 2024 election. He continuously maintains that the 2020 election was stolen, despite 60 failed lawsuits. And his behavior on Jan. 6, 2021 demonstrates beyond any doubt that he has no sense of responsibility to democracy.

Moreover, report after report reveals various tactics that his supporters around the country are preparing so they can to prevent him from losing again this time — focusing on voting constraints and ballot processing.

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