Our Program
DemocraShe offers an online training program designed to build self-confidence, practice self-advocacy, cultivate collaboration, nurture ambition, and make political candidacy concrete and accessible.
Critically, DemocraShe arms our Future Candidates with not just the skills to become transformational leaders, but the strategies needed to counter the external barriers and internal negative narratives that so often prevent women from fulfilling their potential.
Our Future Candidates participate in project-based workshops with female elected officials, community leaders, activists, artists, and educators, focusing on developing the skills they will need to navigate candidacy and become inspiring, world-changing leaders.
Access
Access is the heart of DemocraShe – access to resources, to community, and to a political future for those who have been under-represented in politics. The DemocraShe program is completely free, and available to female-identifying students nationwide, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or immigration status. As an online program, DemocraShe ensures access to girls in all 50 states, and does not require any travel, gas money, or physical mobility. Additionally, DemocraShe recruits a diverse variety of potential participants by working with community leaders, teachers and guidance counselors nationwide, particularly in schools and programs working with students under-represented in the political sphere, to nominate promising candidates.
Approach
DemocraShe’s curriculum focuses on “the whole girl,” drawing upon social work and psychology to foster self-reflection and self-expression, and to build the confidence and resilience young women will need to navigate any challenges they may face.
The whole girl” perspective is key: for young women to stay in the candidacy pipeline, they must have access not only to tools specific for a political career, but also to the confidence and skills to manage difficult situations and emotions that arise while pursuing a candidacy. Too often young women "talk themselves out" of their dreams because of structurally reinforced “imposter syndrome,” etc, and to create women candidates we have to equip young women not only with practical tools but tools to effectively internally combat these false narratives.
The DemocraShe approach is also deeply inspired by the principle “lift as you climb,” maintaining a focus on collaboration, community building, and inclusive, thoughtful leadership.
Relationship Building
DemocraShe also nurtures relationship-building skills through connections and collaborations within each cohort. It is unique in providing each Future Candidate with a Mentor to act as a confidante, cheerleader, and guide for the duration of the program. Our Mentors are female-identifying adults who can speak from their own experiences and provide assistance and support as our Future Candidates participate in our program and take on ambitious projects within their own communities.
DemocraShe also offers participants the opportunity to connect with adult mentors from various related fields along with the esteemed professionals who guide the workshops, and to network with other young people entering politics who will form the next generation of political leaders. Additionally, an alumni program keeps the young woman connected to their cohort as well as future cohorts, and creates an important network that supports their ambition into the future.
If you are an adult who would be interested in mentoring our brilliant Future Candidates, click here for more information.