( Washington, D.C. ) This summer, the United State of Women ( USOW ) will gather women in Chicago with the goal to mobilize them, inspire them and give them the tools to lead in their local communities. The Galvanize Program, a nationwide effort towards turning the passion of women across the country into strategic action, will kick off its national series of mini-summits on July 15-16 at McCormick Place.
"We are thrilled that the United State of Women chose Chicago to kick-off its campaign to empower women to take action in their local communities. The Galvanize Program will play a critical role in giving women across Illinois the tools they need to organize and be makers of change in their communities, whether they are starting a new business or running for office," said Anna Valencia, Clerk of the City of Chicago and Co-Chair of the Galvanize Chicago Program.
The Galvanize Program will allow participants to explore gender equality issues and a broad set of national and local policies that impact women and their communities. Each participant will leave the Galvanize Program empowered with tools and connections to continue their work for equality in their local community and prepared to become the next generation of leaders. A ttendees will choose one
of five tracks based on their interests to receive in-depth and skills-based training developed by national partner organizations.
- Political Candidates Training developed by Vote, Run, Lead
- Campaign Management Training developed by Wellstone
- Grassroots Organizing Training developed by Midwest Academy
- Leadership Training developed by Bossed Up
- Entrepreneurship Training developed by BRAVA Investments
Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to President Obama and Chair of the Obama Administration
White House Council on Women and Girls and Tina Tchen, former Chief of Staff to First Lady
Michelle Obama and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and girls will serve as co-chairs of the Chicago Galvanize program. This morning Ms. Jarrett released an open to the more than 5,000 attendees of last year's United State of Women summit urging them come together and lead in their communities .
"The attendees at the United State of Women Summit made it clear that they want to keep learning, connecting and advocating beyond that room they wanted to do it in their own communities. The
Galvanize Program will empower participants to be vocal advocates in elections and public policy
debates both nationally and in their own backyards." notes Jordan Brooks, Managing Director of USOW.
After Chicago, the Galvanize Program will host additional mini-summits in Columbus, OH; Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL; Albuquerque, NM; and Philadelphia, PA.
For additional details about the Chicago summit, including registration details, visit
www.unitedstateofwomen.org/galvanize .
Background on The United State of Women
The United State of Women ( USOW ) is a 501( c )3 non profit organization that provides a megaphone to lift up the individuals and organizations doing important work for the gender equality movement. USOW amplifies important issues through traditional and digital media platforms, hosts large-scale convenings, and organizes women locally to advocate for change. Launched in 2016 with a Summit co-hosted with the Obama Administration's White House Council on Women and Girls,
the United State of Women brings together experts, advocates, grassroots organizers, and business leaders to raise the voices of those working on all the important pieces of gender equality. USOW is taking action today to change tomorrow.
For more information on the United State of Women's Galvanize Program, visit
unitedstateofwomen.org/galvanize and follow @USOWomen .