For Immediate Release 212-261-4497 / lcassell@thewhitehouseproject.org
DEBATE BOOT CAMP TO TAKE MILE HIGH CITY BY STORM
Two-Day Training Teaches Women Candidates Essential Debate Skills
Denver– This Thursday and Friday, The White House Project, in partnership with the Latina Initiative, will hold their 2nd annual Debate Boot Camp in the Mile High City, equipping 35 women candidates and campaign spokeswomen with the necessary tools to effectively debate the issues this election season. The participants will benefit from a full day of workshops and trainings that will help to advance women’s political leadership throughout Colorado.
The innovative two-day conference is part of The White House Project’s Vote, Run, Lead program, a national initiative which has been instrumental in propelling a diverse group of women into positions of political leadership. Since its creation in 2005, the program has trained more than 5,000 women to become political leaders, including Colorado State Representative Diane Primavera, Jefferson County Commissioner Kathy Hartman, and Centennial Mayor Pro-Tem Rebecca McClellan.
“Women remain our country’s greatest untapped natural resource,” said Marie C. Wilson, President of The White House Project. “Debate Boot Camp is an unparalleled opportunity for women to learn how to expertly discuss and defend the issues which matter most to them and their communities.”
During the conference, Denver Debate Boot Camp participants will work closely with communications experts to refine their stump speeches, mine for stories, and simulate actual debate forums.
“Debate Boot Camp is an excellent vehicle for preparing women candidates for the rigors of campaigning,” said Faith Winter, Westminster City Councilmember and The White House Project’s Training and Outreach Director. “It is essential for women to be an integral part of the political arena – and these trainings allow women candidates to articulate their visions to voters as viable political candidates.”
Denver Debate Boot Camp is one of several initiatives that The White House Project and the Latina Initiative have brought to Colorado in 2008. This year, the organization’s Colorado office has trained over 250 women through their Go Lead and Go Run trainings. Additional Debate Boot Camps are scheduled this year for Michigan, Georgia, and Minnesota.
Denver Debate Boot Camp, in partnership with the Latina Initiative, will take place from August 14th - 15th at the Women’s College of the University of Denver.
The White House Project, a national, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization, works to advance a richly diverse, critical mass of women into leadership positions, up to and including the U.S. Presidency. For more information, please visit: http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org.
###
