Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC)?
We are a multi-partisan, multi-racial grassroots organization with caucuses in 38 states. Those members have input in our endorsement and policy decisions through their elected regional representatives. Local and state caucuses hold regular public meetings, policy forums and endorse candidates locally. There is no other national women's political organization that has a membership structure such as this one.
Who is the Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus?
We are a chapter of the NWPC. The Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC) is a grassroots, multi-partisan organization of members throughout the state dedicated to increasing the number of women in elected and appointed office by identifying, recruiting, training and supporting pro-choice women candidates. MWPC is an expert resource for women in Minnesota and women candidates supporting women’s issues. Our goal is equality and
equal representation at all levels of government. The MWPC also sponsors candidate debates, issue forums, and lobbies for women’s issues at the State Legislature.
What is the MWPC Education Council?
The MWPC Education Council is the affiliated 501(c)(3) of the Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus. The Education Council focuses on political education and empowerment of women across Minnesota. The MWPC Education Council sponsors E-Women Win, the internet and email network supporting political education and empowerment of women statewide. The MWPC Education Council also sponsors the Diversity Outreach Project (HyperLink) a program funded by the Minnesota Women’s Foundation and Otto Bremer Foundation designed to increase the participation of women of color in the political process.
Why are women the key to the political process?
In 1998, there were 7 million more women registered to vote than men, and they turned out to vote in higher numbers. Why do we believe that parental consent and notification laws should not be passed? In an ideal world, every young woman would feel free to discuss an unintended pregnancy with her parents. Some young women are afraid to talk to their parents because they have become pregnant through rape or incest, others fear a parent's reaction. Imposing parental consent laws forces a young woman to appear before a judge making a traumatic situation even more painful. Most young women do consult at least one parent before seeking an abortion. Young women should have the same right to control their reproductive choice as adult women. It's a contradiction to tell a young woman who is old enough to become pregnant and bear a child that she is not mature enough to choose to terminate an unplanned or even tragic pregnancy.
What does MWPC offer candidates?
We conduct basic training for candidates, campaign workers and volunteers and for women who just want to learn more about the political process. We offer both basic and advanced training. We recruit women at the local level and provide campaign and leadership training for women. The Caucus offers leadership training and specialized campaign training.
Why do we only endorse women?
This is important because women govern differently than men. Studies by the Center for American Women in Politics show that elected women, regardless of their party or ideological affiliation, place a higher value and spend more time on issues impacting children and families. When both women and men were polled about the issues that matter most to them - education, health care, Social Security, and childcare were stated as high priorities. Women have always led the fight for these societal needs. Research shows that women run for different reasons and serve in public office very differently from men. Women are far more likely to run because they want to make people's lives better and to support and propose legislation for those reasons.
