By: Amy Agarwal
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In 2016, there was a precarious optimism to the political landscape in the US. Our first Black president was completing his second term and Hillary Clinton was making history as the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party. While some suggested President Obama’s two-term tenure heralded a post-racial era for our country, Clinton’s campaign prompted questions of gender and political representation and highlighted systemic barriers that prevent women from attaining leadership positions at the highest levels. Beyond the headlines, however, real women were continuing to struggle to access decision-making spaces across the country.
IGNITE was established in 2010 with a vision of achieving gender parity in political leadership through training young women and instilling and reinforcing in them the belief that they have the capacity to lead. We recognized that young women, particularly young women of color, too often lacked the networks, resources, and institutional support necessary for gaining entry to halls of power. Initially, we focused on providing training and resources to young women, including through facilitating leadership workshops and community-building programs as well as creating a network of high school and college chapters on campuses across the country.
Building upon our early successes and learnings, we expanded our efforts in 2016 to meet the moment with the launch of the Dr. Anne Moses Fellowship program. This program reflects a deeper investment in young women and a commitment to supporting sustainable impact. Ten years later, this year-long, cohort-based leadership program continues to offer community-minded and politically ambitious young women practical leadership and organizing experience, mentorship opportunities, and supportive professional networks. Further, we provide competitive stipends to ensure this program is accessible to all—because while expertise is earned, opportunity is funded.
Since launching the program with four young women in California, Georgia, Minnesota, and New York, we have supported 160 fellows across 26 states.
Today we are not only celebrating the 10-year anniversary of our fellowship program, we are also reflecting on what we have learned and achieved. Over the past year, we conducted a longitudinal evaluation of the program, surveying former fellows to measure long-term civic impact. We surveyed 40 former fellows from multiple cohorts and across 20 states and Washington, DC, and conducted semi-structured key informant interviews with 10 of those alumnae. And, what we learned is this: the skills, confidence, and networks built during the fellowship do not fade once the program is complete—they compound over time. The data we collected provides definitive proof of the durable impact of investing in young women committed to civic and political leadership. It also offers insights to inform the future of our fellowship program.
Active Learning and Leadership
Our fellows serve as frontline leaders in our movement, supporting IGNITE chapters and activating entire communities of young people on campuses across the country. They amplify our mission and vision in their communities—including by facilitating training programs, organizing events, and participating in policy advocacy activities—while learning more about political systems and honing their own leadership skills. The data demonstrate the efficacy of this learning-by-doing approach.
A Supportive and Sustainable Sisterhood
As a nonpartisan organization operating in a highly polarized environment, IGNITE understands the importance of designing inclusive and welcoming spaces where young women and gender-diverse youth from across the political spectrum can do more than coexist. While all of our programs consciously center safe, supportive structures, our fellowship program takes connection and collaboration to new levels and effectively emphasizes the importance of representation and belonging.
The Next Generation of Political Leaders and Public Servants
The knowledge and confidence fellows gain through the program serves as a solid foundation for their transition to careers in politics and public service. Fellows surveyed consistently described the program as empowering, transformative, and deeply influential in shaping their confidence, leadership and civic engagement capabilities, and long-term aspirations.
Notably, this is particularly true for fellows who participated in earlier cohorts and have had more time to build their careers since completing the program. Therefore, we expect to see these percentages increase over time.
Former Fellow Success Stories
While our metrics are impressive, the women behind the numbers are the ones who deserve the spotlight. Across the country, IGNITE alumnae are serving as real-life policymakers and showing our future fellows what’s possible. Find below a few examples of former fellows who successfully leveraged the program as a platform to public office.
Munira Abdullahi served as the Columbus Fellow in our 2021–2022 cohort. Through the fellowship, Munira honed her organizing skills, built a strong political network, and gained the confidence she needed to launch her first political campaign. She declared her candidacy during her fellowship and was soon after sworn in as the State Representative for the 9th District of Ohio—the first Muslim woman legislator in the state. She’s currently serving her second term.
Shania Bennett served as the Philadelphia Fellow in our 2021–2022 cohort. She brought unique experience to the fellowship program as the youngest person ever elected in Philadelphia, where she served on a committee in the 48th Ward 12th Division. Today, Shania supports Philadelphia’s first female mayor, Cherelle Parker, as Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement.
Mary Black served as the Raleigh Fellow in our 2019–2020 cohort. During her fellowship, she was appointed to the Raleigh Environmental Advisory Board. Mary served on the board for two years before running for city. In 2022, she was sworn in as the youngest person to serve on the Raleigh City Council.
Tiera Moore served as the Cleveland Fellow in our 2021–2022 cohort. She joined our fellowship program with a passion for education policy and equality as well as a desire to promote youth civic engagement. During her fellowship, she was elected to the Kent City School District Board of Education. Today, Tiera serves as the school board president.
From our fellowship program to community boards, city halls, and statehouses, these stories illustrate how IGNITE is building a capable, compassionate, confident pipeline of young women political leaders.
This is crucial, as we know that representation is more than a statistic. When diverse young women see leaders who look like them serving as legislators, they no longer need to wonder if there is a place for them in the halls of power, because they already see themselves reflected in these positions.
Shaping the Next Decade of Power
Our study proves that our model is working. As we look forward to the next chapter of our fellowship program, we invite you to help us shape what leadership looks like in the next decade.
Invest in a Future Leader
We pay competitive stipends, cover travel costs for training and advocacy opportunities, and provide intensive year-long mentoring because we believe leadership training should be accessible to all, not just the privileged. This is only possible because of our generous supporters. Donate today to invest in the next generation of leaders.
Take the Next Step In Your Leadership Journey
Are you ready to hone your professional skills, enhance your confidence, mobilize your community, and find a lifelong sisterhood to support your leadership ambitions? If you are a young woman, nonbinary, or gender-expansive youth looking to level up your leadership game our fellowship program could be just what you need. Learn more about the fellowship program and join the waitlist for our next cohort.