Martina CruzResearch Fellow

A Research Partnership between the Center for Women

in Politics and Public Policy at the Women’s Pipeline for Change

Political Motivations of

Women of Color Leaders:

Existing Challenges

Research Question

Women who are well-known and play an influential role in their community have important qualities that are necessary in policymaking bodies.

Yet many respected women of color leaders don’t pursue elective office.

▸ Why don’t they run for political office?

Research Design

▸ Interviewed 10 women of color active in their communities who have not been elected to political office

▸ Population included:▸ Five women from Lawrence▸ Five women from other Massachusetts cities

▸ Boston, Brockton, and Springfield

Women of Color Leaders 

▸ Women of color leaders ▸ Uniquely positioned and possess relevant skills and

knowledge to address specific needs in their communities

▸ Have strong commitment to promoting social justice and addressing injustices in their communities

▸ Major motivator for considering political office

▸ Family is a source of knowledge and provides important experiences for making decisions

▸ Politics provides an important opportunity for:▸ Women to serve as role models in their families ▸ Exposure of children to strong models of leadership

and community engagement

Community Activism and Values

▸ Community involvement ▸ Often started at young age ▸ Became a central part of their lives and

identity▸ Perception of stronger impact as a community

activist than as a public official

▸ Values▸ Integrity, honesty, respect very important▸ First-hand experience with corruption and

dishonesty in political sphere▸ Concern about compromising values in politics

Campaign Resources

▸ Financial resources▸ Underlying need to feel confident about capacity to

raise funds▸ Own knowledge of resources and networks▸ Solid campaign team

▸ Team of politically experienced advisors▸ Network of knowledgeable and experienced

women▸ Campaign workers and volunteers

▸ Committed individuals to help with campaign needs to following encouragement to enter race

Ensuring Support and Resources

Martina Cruz summarized the importance of providing specific kinds of supports for women of color running for office:

“…look for ways to facilitate those resources and information about where a woman who wants to run can go to learn or get trained…It’s important to realize you need people to develop a campaign. We need a way to facilitate the way in which you get to build that team.…Create mechanisms that help connect women who want to run with other women who have had experience in the political arena.”

Recommendations

▸ Increased Supports for Women▸ Need additional and improved resources on how to run▸ Make this information available in the community

▸ Involvement of Young Women▸ Think about the “pipeline” as starting with girls, not

just adults▸ Recognize that early exposure to politics may increase

the likelihood that they will stay involved

▸ Network of Women to Support Each Other▸ Create mechanisms that help connect women who

want to run with other women with experience in the political arena

For more information about Martina’s study, including video

clips, photos, and summaries, please go to:

Martina Cruz's ProjectSome Spanish content is available on Martina’s webpage.

Or visit: www.umb/pipeline