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Book Review – If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons From Bold Women, Amb. Nikki Haley

By Natalie Newman, League of Our Own Washington Intern and University of Washington student

 

We all know women who are amazing, productive, strong, courageous, and most of all, can get stuff done! All true, these thoughts are expressed by former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley in her latest book If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons From Bold Women.

Haley takes the reader through ten brilliant and impressive stories of women in leadership, motherhood, adolescence, professional life, and more. I admire their encouraging attitudes and accomplishments. The women commended in the book are some of Haley’s most treasured inspirations, and for good reason.

Reading what each woman endured during her time of leadership moved me in a unique way. As a young female college student, I see how our world, at times, underestimates the strength and abilities of women and tries to push them aside. It has, unfortunately, been a part of the political realm for far too long. Haley lets us know it is no use sitting back and watching it happen – instead she leads by example, following her mom’s advice, “Don’t complain about it. Do something about it.”

Haley’s accomplishments and perseverance have been an incredible inspiration to many, and in a similar way, League of Our Own Washington works to fulfill the same mission by helping smart, dedicated, tenacious women achieve their goals of running for public office and serving their community.

Haley shares that among the most important things we can do is “push through the fear.” When you say and do as you think, stand up for what you believe in, and take each challenge as a new opportunity, the chances of being pushed aside quickly diminish. Claudette Colvin, Virginia Hall, and Amelia Earhart, are just a few of the women who took big, daunting steps toward a common goal: proving that anything is possible when you have the drive, audacity, and passion to get it done.

If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons From Bold Women is for everyone!

If you’re a woman who dreams big, we invite you to get involved in League of Our Own Washington. We work every day to empower women to run for public office by training, mentoring and coaching women leaders with the help they need to be successful candidates and effective leaders.

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About League of Our Own Washington

League of Our Own Washington is a non-profit 501 (c) (4) organization dedicated to finding talented women who believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and free markets to run for office. We provide them with the tools, resources, training, and mentorship they need to be successful candidates and effective leaders.

While women make up 51% of the population in America, they account for only 31% of state legislative seats held across the country. Decades of research have shown that women govern differently and that difference matters. We are changing the status quo by building a statewide network of talented women who would make excellent elected officials (Prospects), men and women to find and recruit them (Scouts), successful women and men who can serve as mentors and provide guidance to them (Coaches), and others to support them through social media, volunteering, hosting events, and more (Fans).

As an organization, we are dedicated to building up and empowering people who want to make a difference, and that extends to our team of staff. We pride ourselves on our culture of positivity and learning. We look forward to welcoming a new intern to our team as we work hard to reach our goals.

 

About the Internship

Location: Remote, with possibility of some in-person opportunities

Term: Minimum 3-month commitment with potential opportunity to extend.

Equipment: Must provide own computer and reliable internet connection

Hours: Minimum 10 hours per week. More hours available upon mutual agreement.

Compensation: Unpaid, expenses covered

Reports to: Executive Director (E.D.)

 

Role

League of Our Own Washington is recruiting sophomores, juniors, and seniors in college and recent graduates who are interested in helping to recruit and train women to run for public office. The League is looking for an intern with strong written and verbal communication, attention to detail, organizational skills, and—most of all—a passion for our mission! Some of the roles and responsibilities include:

• Drafting emails and other communications materials
• Creating engaging social media content that supports our brand and increases awareness
• Testing systems and programs and providing feedback and recommendations
• Conducting important research and up-to-date analysis to ensure informed team decisions
• Regularly updating our database
• Other tasks to help support our mission as assigned by the Executive Director

A successful candidate will be someone who enjoys civic and political affairs, has a “can-do” attitude, is a fast learner, and can complete projects under short deadlines.

We prefer college students who are studying political science, communication, journalism, or other relevant subjects and have experience in a political office or campaigning. However, all majors are accepted and encouraged to apply.

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League Spotlight: Deanna Martinez

 

Deanna Martinez is a League of Our Own Washington prospect and a newly elected member of the Moses Lake City Council. In honor of Women’s History Month and the 2022 theme, Providing Healing, Promoting Hope, we asked Deanna about her career in nursing and how it has helped to shape her as a public servant. 

 

Tell us about your professional background.

I’ve been a Registered Nurse for 33 years. I graduated from my local college, Big Bend Community College, with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). I currently work at Othello Community Hospital (OCH), the same hospital I was born in and worked at as a student nurse and brand-new RN. With a family to raise, I left the acute care (hospital) setting and night shift to work in various clinics and private practices. The daytime hours and weekends off were more conducive to family life. Several years ago, I returned to what I consider to be my professional home, OCH. 

 

 

How has your career shaped your views? 

Nursing is a holistic approach to caring for a patient and his or her family. I see many of the issues that affect families, businesses, local and state government with that same holistic viewpoint. 

 

 

Was this a factor in your decision to run for public office?

In part, yes. Our local government lacked the experience and views of a more diverse council. 

 

 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from working as an RN that you carry into public service? 

We all count: the young, the old, young families, older generations, different ethnic groups. For me, they are the stakeholders, and they need a voice to champion for them. 

 

 

The topic for Women’s History Month is “Women providing healing, promoting hope.” Do you think women are uniquely suited to providing healing and promoting hope? 

Historically, women are the healers. I think, we’re designed that way. We care for our families, partners, and communities. We are resilient and, in that way, we offer hope to people we know and the groups and organizations that we’re involved with. 

 

 

What advice do you have for women who are considering running for office? 

First, believe you are capable. 

Second, ask yourself (and answer) why you want to run for office and write it down.  Expect that your reason(s) why will evolve as you get more comfortable with the idea of running. If you’re not already, start attending meetings for the seat you’re running for. Research the issues.

Third, contact League of Our Own.  It’s a great organization. League of our Own provides training and support for your campaign.

Fourth, believe you are capable. You are a rockstar!

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Over the past year, League of Our Own Washington’s growth has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. Each week, men and women who share our passion for empowering women to run for office are joining our ranks: Prospects with a heart for public service, Scouts with far reaching networks and connections, Coaches with impressive expertise, and Fans who dedicate time and resources for the cause. Alas, the time has come to grow our team at League headquarters as well!

After a thorough and extensive search, we have added two amazing women to our team: Luanne Van Werven and Shannon Boldizsar!

 

Luanne Van Werven is the League’s Prospect Development Manager. Luanne is a lifelong Washingtonian, and the former State Representative from the 42nd Legislative District. She is passionate about encouraging women to participate in the political and legislative process, and comes with decades of political, legislative, and community experience. Luanne has the knowledge needed to train and mentor prospects into strong candidates for public office.

 

 

 

 

 

Shannon Boldizsar is in charge of the Coach and Fan Engagement services. Shannon is a Seattle native, as well as the founder and owner of Lakemont Public Affairs. Her background in public affairs strategy, community engagement, local/state legislative policy and government relations will help empower women to succeed at League of Our Own Washington. She’ll make sure that our Coaches and Fans feel appreciated, engaged, and loved.

 

 

 

 

Luanne and Shannon each bring a unique perspective and passion to the team– and they have already jumped in with both feet to take our mission to the next level! League of Our Own Washington is fortunate to have them, and Washingtonians everywhere are fortunate to have them as we work together to change the status quo in this state.

Welcome Luanne and Shannon!

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First, I want to tell you how honored I am to be joining League of Our Own Washington as Executive Director! We are going to do big things in this state, and the work starts now.

Allow me to take a moment to tell you a bit about myself: Originally from Alaska, I moved to Washington State in 2009. I met my husband, Blake, at school at Central Washington University. After graduating with a degree in Political Science in 2012, I worked on Michael Baumgartner’s U.S. Senate Campaign. Shortly after that campaign ended, I joined the team at the Washington State Republican Party where I served as Finance Director for 5 years and Executive Director for 3 years. Blake and I are currently licensed foster parents living in Duvall. When I am not catching up on the latest headlines, I am spending time with our little boy, taking our golden retriever on runs, and cheering on Seattle sports teams.

From the first moment I heard about League of Our Own many months ago, I knew it was something that could make a real difference in Washington State. With a decade of experience in state politics, I have seen firsthand what works and, more frequently, what doesn’t work when it comes to candidate recruitment.

Many organizations approach candidate recruitment as a small piece of a larger mission. Often, candidate recruitment is a season, not a 24/7/365 operation. Candidate recruitment is done passively instead of proactively. When great candidates run for office but don’t win (the first time), there is no infrastructure in place to keep them engaged and motivated to stay involved. That’s where League of Our Own is revamping the way we conduct candidate recruitment in Washington State. The League is fully dedicated to finding talented women to run for office and providing them the tools, resources, training and mentorship they need to be successful candidates and effective leaders.

Furthermore, as a wife, mother, and professional, I feel passionately about empowering women to take their seat at the political table. We all know that men and women think, and therefore govern, differently. While studies show that men tend to be more ambitious, assertive, and decisive, women tend to be more compassionate and empathetic and are better at working out compromises. That is certainly something I’d like to see more of in government.

Over the last few months, I have had the pleasure of discussing League of Our Own with friends, family, and professional colleagues, and the excitement is tangible. Thanks to the energy and support of all of you, we are going to do big things for women and politics in Washington State. If you’ve already signed up for a role with the League, I will be reaching out to you personally. If you want to help or have ideas, suggestions, etc., I would love to connect with you.

I look forward to partnering with you to find talented women to run for office and provide them with what they need to be successful candidates and effective leaders. Let’s do this, Washington!

Kaitlin Vintertun
Executive Director
League of Our Own Washington

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Today is an exciting day for Washington state.  Today we are launching League of Our Own Washington. 

League of Our Own Washington is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to finding talented women to run for office and providing them with the tools, resources, training, and mentorship they need to be successful candidates and effective leaders.  We recruit and train all women who prioritize free markets, individual rights, and fiscal responsibility.

I am excited about League of Our Own Washington because it’s a program that never stops. We take a long-term approach. What do I mean by that?  As an example, a scout may identify a prospect who has great potential but is not ready to run in the current cycle. With coaching, mentoring, and training she could be a stellar candidate, ready to run a few years down the road.  It is also a program that keeps good candidates engaged even if they lose the first time.

It is a 365 day a year program and it will take all of us for it to succeed.  I welcome you to participate as a prospect with eyes on elected office, a scout to find potential and talented women, or as a coach to help develop the next wave of great women leaders in Washington state.

This can’t happen without you.  I encourage you to sign up before the end of 2020.  There are local races next year that are wonderful opportunities for women to run and serve.

Let’s hit the ground running on January 1^st with you signed up and ready to make this program successful!

Sally Poliak

Chair of the Board

League of Our Own Washington

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