A house RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor the work of Emerge South Carolina, and to welcome its distinguished  members and alumnae to the State House.

 

Whereas, the mission of Emerge is to increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and providing a powerful network.  Emerge is dedicated to training a diverse pool of Democratic women to run for office; and

 

Whereas, more than four thousand women have trained through Emerge to run for office since 2002, and more than four hundred seventy-five alumnae are currently serving in elected office across the United States; and

 

Whereas, fifty-two percent of Emerge alumnae have run for office or been appointed to local boards or commissions, and thirty-seven percent are women of color, which is a strong record of diversity; and

 

Whereas, in 2018, more than seven hundred women were on the ballot, and in the 2017 election, one hundred fifty-two Emerge alumnae won their elections; and

 

Whereas, Emerge South Carolina is a state affiliate of Emerge, which is the nation's premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office.  Emerge focuses on effective state and national programming that gives women the tools they need to run for office and win, as well as building an inclusive sisterhood and network of alumnae, staff, boards, and volunteers who are on the ground year round to support women; and

 

Whereas, Emerge South Carolina was founded in South Carolina in 2017 and has since trained over one hundred twenty-five women to run for office on all levels.  Alumnae represent forty-six counties in South Carolina. Notable alumnae include Representative Heather Bauer and Councilwomen Aditi Bussells, Allison Terracio, Latisha Walker, and many others who are leading their communities; and

 

Whereas, the program's trainers form an elite team of campaign consultants, advisors, and staff from all over the country, who have been involved in some of the most successful campaigns and initiatives in recent election cycles.  Participants learn from these experts and develop practical knowledge in areas such as public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, and media and messaging. Candidates meet an array of dynamic women who hold elected and appointed offices, and they become part of the supportive network of national association of Emerge alumnae, the Emerge board, and advisory council members; and

 

Whereas, the reason for the work of Emerge South Carolina is because South Carolina ranks forty-fourth in the nation for women serving in the State Legislature, for which women make up less than fifteen percent.  The State has no Democratic women serving in the United States Congress and only one Republican woman, and currently no Democrats hold a statewide office, and only two Republican women currently hold a statewide office; and

 

Whereas, Emerge South Carolina is changing the face of politics in the State through its mission for Democratic women who want to run for office, with the only in-depth, six-month, seventy-hour training program that provides aspiring female leaders with cutting edge tools and training to run for elected office and to elevate themselves in the political system,  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the work of Emerge South Carolina, and welcome its distinguished members and alumnae to the State House.

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