Ready to Launch is a new nonprofit that helps women from diverse backgrounds get started in careers in politics, government, and advocacy. The organization was founded by Charlotte White and Erica Liepmann, who saw that many women didn't know about these career paths or how to get started. Their main program is a fellowship where women get training, mentorship, and paid internships working for elected officials.
In 2021, they received 103 applications and selected 7 fellows for their first group. The fellows worked in offices for officials like the LA Mayor and Congress members. The program provides a week of training at the start, monthly skill-building sessions on topics like resume writing and LinkedIn, and connects participants with professional mentors.
Ready to Launch also hosts public events to teach women about government jobs. The founders believe that having more diverse women working as staff in government is just as important as electing more women to office. They specifically focus on reaching women from historically marginalized communities who might not otherwise know about these opportunities.
The program aims to break down barriers and create more inclusive pathways into political and government careers.