Approximately 30% of the Massachusetts state legislature and congressional representation is comprised of women, many of whom are left-leaning. Massachusetts has four women in statewide offices at the Constitutional Officer level: Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Attorney General Maura Healey, State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and State Auditor Suzanne Bump. Senator Elizabeth Warren is the first and only woman to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate and has served since 2012. In cities, counties, and townships there are even fewer women serving on county commissions, school boards, and city councils. In fact, center- and right-leaning women are almost completely absent from local and state elections. Jennifer Nassour and Christina Bain sought to change that in Massachusetts with the Pocketbook Project. The Pocketbook Project is named for the fiscally responsible women they intend to support and after women who often manage the financials of their family.

As WPLN’s training partner in Massachusetts, the Pocketbook Project’s training seminars and other resources provide candidates and their staff with critical information on all aspects of campaigning. From fundraising, management, and media, training sessions feature important topics presented by local and national experts. Nassour and Bain plan on reaching out to unenrolled voters who make up more than 56% of the electorate. They partner candidates with mentors and advisors who work together throughout the campaign. As a part of their training, they empower and equip women to get involved in the political process and make lasting connections for a future in public service.

Nassour and Bain recognized that a common issue when trying to get women to run in Massachusetts was that the state has a year-round legislative session which makes it difficult to manage childcare and the daily hassles of life with running a campaign. Political polarization has alienated center-right women from the conversation, but Nassour emphasizes that it is crucial that they work with women across party lines in order to ensure that there is more female representation, period. The Pocketbook Project hopes that women can connect with each other on a personal level outside of political ideology. Nassour and Bain believe that women are uniquely suited to advance bipartisan policy issues, and that having more women in office means more will get done for communities in need.

The Pocketbook Project is more than capable to give its candidates the encouragement, tools, and support they need to make the leap into office. They recognize the difficulties but know that there is room for center-right women to have their voices heard and enact change. In addressing issues such as childcare, maternity leave, and lack political experience they are able to bridge the gap for women in Massachusetts. If you want to learn more about the Pocketbook Project and follow all of the amazing work they are doing for women in Massachusetts, please watch our Facebook Live discussion with them below or on the WPLN Facebook page, and check out their website, www.pocketbookproject.org.