COLORADO SPRINGS — In partnership with Colorado Municipal League and Colorado 50-50, El Pomar Foundation will host a virtual ‘Women in Politics’ event through its Forum for Civic Advancement. The event will be held virtually on April 24, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM MDT. Divided into three distinct sessions, the program will feature conversations with women from across the political spectrum who are engaged at various levels of public service. The event seeks to promote women’s interest and participation in electoral politics by featuring speakers with first-hand experience in running for public office.

The event will begin with a youth panel from 4:00-5:00 PM with a focus on socializing young women and girls to the idea of running for elected office and leadership. State Senator Faith Winter (D-24), Former University of Denver Student Body Vice President Jess Davidson, and Candidate for Parker Town Council Jeeva Senthilnathan will be the featured panelists. The panel will be moderated by Erin Hottenstein, Executive Director of Colorado 50-50.

The general session will take place from 5:00 to 6:00 PM with a focus on encouraging more women in Colorado to run for elected office, clarifying the process of running and providing resources for them as they consider running for elected office. Panelists featured in this session will be Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-1), State Representative Iman Jodeh (D-41), State Representative Stephanie Luck (R-47) and Alamosa City Councilor Liz Hensley. The panel will be moderated by Sallie Clarke, Former State Director of USDA Rural Development Colorado, El Paso County Commissioner and Colorado Springs City Councilmember.

Following the general session there will be three networking breakout rooms from 6:00-6:30 PM. The three pairings will be: State Senator Faith Winter (D-24) and Alamosa City Councilor Liz Hensley, State Representative Iman Jodeh (D-41) and Jess Davidson, and State Representative Stephanie Luck (R-47) and Jeeva Senthilnathan.

More information about the virtual event, the panelists and how to register by Friday, April 23 can be found at www.elpomar.org/programs/forum-for-civic-advancement/.

Founded in 2002, El Pomar Foundation’s Forum for Civic Advancement seeks and supports individuals interested in contributing to the civic health of the Pikes Peak Region. It operates lectures, panels, and seminars in which public-minded citizens can meet other current and aspiring political and civic leaders and engage in cutting-edge political ideas from around the country.

More about El Pomar Foundation:

El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in Colorado. El Pomar contributes approximately $22 million annually through grants and Community Stewardship programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities and civic and community initiatives. Spencer and Julie Penrose founded El Pomar in 1937 with the mission to enhance, encourage and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado. 

More about Colorado Municipal League:

The Colorado Municipal League is the voice of Colorado’s cities and towns, counting more than 97 percent of the state’s municipalities as our members. Founded in 1923, the Colorado Municipal League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization providing services and resources to assist municipal officials in managing their governments and serving the cities and towns of Colorado.

More about Colorado 50-50:

Colorado 50-50 is a nonpartisan, educational group formed in the spring of 2017 by a circle of women in Fort Collins, Colorado. We believe office-holders – whether elected or appointed – should more closely reflect the population. In other words, since women make up more than 50% of the population, then women should hold at least 50% of the seats. Fifty-fifty, fair and square.