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.
Mary-Lee Smith
Executive Director, Renew America Together
"The work of Renew America Together is important to me, because I believe that civility is the key to democracy. Over the past year, I have become inspired by the women of our Civility Leadership Institute's inaugural cohort and their commitment to developing skills to better communicate with those they may not see eye-to-eye with. The impact they are making and their commitment to civil dialogue should inspire us all."
![Jacki Salit, IndependentVoting.org](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/jacki-salit-independentvoting-org.jpg?id=29531900&width=980)
![Karen Suhaka, Bill Track 50](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/karen-suhaka-bill-track-50.jpg?id=29531908&width=980)
![Sara Gifford, Activote](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/sara-gifford-activote.jpg?id=29534344&width=980)
![Lindsay Bressman, Civic Spirit](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/lindsay-bressman-civic-spirit.jpg?id=29534350&width=980)
![Justine Williams, Care Lab](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/justine-williams-care-lab.jpg?id=29534363&width=980)
![Mary-Lee Smith, Renew America Together](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/mary-lee-smith-renew-america-together.jpg?id=29534376&width=980)
![Cheryl Graeve, National Institute for Civil Discourse](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/cheryl-graeve-national-institute-for-civil-discourse.jpg?id=29534378&width=980)
![Jillian Youngblood, Our Civic Genius](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/jillian-youngblood-our-civic-genius.jpg?id=29534393&width=980)
![Susan Muller, Mainstream Nation](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/susan-muller-mainstream-nation.jpg?id=29534431&width=980)
![Meg Heubeck- Youth Leadership Initiative](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/meg-heubeck-youth-leadership-initiative.jpg?id=29534442&width=980)
![Louise Dub\u00e9](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/louise-dub-u00e9.jpg?id=29534493&width=980)
![Sarah Bonk](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/sarah-bonk.jpg?id=29534496&width=980)
![Jennifer Walker Thomas and Emma Petty Addams](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/jennifer-walker-thomas-and-emma-petty-addams.jpg?id=29534529&width=980)
![Wendy Willis](https://thefulcrum.us/media-library/wendy-willis.jpg?id=29534538&width=980)