Wyoming Women Rise: Seed Money

Hi! I'm Samantha Case. I live in the wide open spaces of Wyoming. In 2016 I graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BA in Gender & Women's Studies. Then, I worked as the campaign manager for Dan Neal's campaign for state house in Wyoming. Now I'm pursuing a career at the intersection of women's rights and politics, which is where I am most effective.

With the help of others, I am starting a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in Wyoming dedicated to empowering women in Wyoming to become leaders in state and local government by encouraging women to run for public office and inspiring women to become more engaged in state and local politics.
Currently, women account for only 11% of the Wyoming Legislature, which is the worst in the nation and the worst it has been in Wyoming since the '70s.

Wyoming Women Rise will provide campaign trainings for women interested in running for office and will also host workshops for younger women in Wyoming, providing opportunities for them to become politcally engaged. Some organizations in the state encourage women to pursue leadership positions in their communities, but few (if any) provide actual trainings to prepare women to run a campaign. When women are equally represented in politics, the issues that specifically impact them receive the attention they deserve. In addition, women often bring different working styles and more varied life perspectives to the legislative arena, which only strengthens our government.

Since the organization is in its beginning phase, money is needed to help with initial startup expenses. These expenses include approximately $900 to file the Articles of Incorporation with the state and the 1023 form with the IRS in order to receive tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Another $800-$1000 will be used top pay an accountant or legal professional in the state to assist us in filing our paperwork so that it is done correctly. The remaining funds will be used to establish a website. 

The organization is currently in the process of recruiting a Board of Directors and creating a first-year budget. We are also in contact with nonprofits in the state with similar missions who may be interested in collobration efforts. 

Your contributions are essential to the success of this organization and they are beyond appreciated. I am passionate about this organization's mission, and I am committed to the work it will take to ensure that Wyoming sees greater female representation in public office in the coming years.

If you would like more information about the organization, including statistics and the organization's plan for success, please email me at [email redacted] or visit https://www.wyowomenrise.org

Thank you so much for your help and for choosing to support a much-needed organization in the state I love. 

Best,
Samantha Case