While efforts to suppress our votes and voices sadly continue across the country, San Francisco is giving us hope with their recent efforts to expand the electorate. Noncitizen parents of school-age children are once again able to vote in the city’s school board elections! This move comes on the heels of a legal challenge that previously denied them from voting.
The message is clear: in San Francisco, every voice counts, regardless of citizenship status. It’s important that we use them as an example and continue building stronger, more inclusive communities, where everyone has a say in shaping the future of their children’s education.
According to a new report by RepresentWomen, systems-level reforms such as gender quotas and proportional voting are making politics more accessible for women across the world.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., women are still underrepresented at every level of government, holding just one-third of all elected positions (with women of color holding approximately just one-tenth of all elected positions). It’s high time for that to change so that our leaders reflect the diversity of our country and our policies better support New American communities and encourage more women to run for office.
Election Day (Tuesday, November 7) is almost here! 
Why wait? Early voting is in full swing.
Take charge. Beat the Election Day rush. Vote early. Go here to find your polling place, check what’s on the ballot, and get voter support. And remember: Your vote is your power. So be sure to use it!
Did you hear the news? The first stop in our 2024 training season is Chicago for Ready to Lead Midwest! Will we see you (or someone you know!) there? 
Over the course of three days (January 26-28), you’ll learn everything you need to know about messaging, fundraising, campaign strategy, and how to use your identity and experiences as a New American to connect with people in your community. You’ll also get the chance to connect with other New American leaders who are ready to work alongside you as you take the next step in your journey to create a more inclusive democracy!
Apply today and share this with people who’d be perfect to bring along for the ride! 
Also, be sure to attend our virtual info session next Friday at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT to learn more about the training and have all your questions answered.
#NALpistasDidThat
Here are some pretty awesome things our alums have done recently:
- Michigan State Senator Darrin Camilleri (NAL trainer) was named as one of the two 2023 State Legislators of the Year by the Michigan AFL-CIO.
- On Wednesday, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Michigan Senate passed legislation to protect victims of domestic violence from gun violence, which was championed by State Senator Stephanie Chang (2011 Ready to Lead Michigan).
- Former Prince George’s County School Board Member Raaheela Ahmed (our former Manager of Leadership Programs), Michigan State Representative Ranjeev Puri (2019 Ready to Lead Michigan and Ready to Win), Georgia State Senator Nabilah Islam (2019 Ready to Lead Georgia), and Burlington County Commissioner Balvir Singh (Elected Officials Network member) were named as mentors for Indian American Impact’s next Desis Lead cohort.
- Two of our Arizona-based alums, State Senator Anna Hernandez (2021 Ready to Lead Online National Women’s Training and Ready to Win) and Phoenix Union High School Governing Board Member Stephanie Parra (2013 Ready to Lead Arizona) were recognized by the Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council and Arizona List, respectively, for Latinx Heritage Month.
- Elisa Martinez (2022 Ready to Lead Southwest) was one of the 15 young women honored by first lady Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council at the first-ever Girls Leading Change celebration at the White House.
Know someone who should be included in this list? Let us know! We’re so proud of our NAL family for taking action to create a stronger, more inclusive democracy and would love to give everyone a shoutout!