See Jane Run: How Women Politicians Matter for Young People

The definitive analysis of how the presence of women politicians affects young people.

From Kamala Harris to Nikki Haley, women in public life are widely expected to inspire young people, especially girls, to follow in their footsteps. See Jane Run provides the definitive analysis of women politicians as role models. With wide-ranging data and attention to gender, race, and party, David E. Campbell and Christina Wolbrecht find that women in politics help convince young people, regardless of gender, that women are capable of political leadership. For young women, women role models enhance faith in democracy and inspire political engagement, including running for office themselves. As role models, women politicians help ensure a more inclusive democracy.

David E. Campbell is the Packey J. Dee Professor of American Democracy at the University of Notre Dame. His research explains how, when, and why people get involved in politics. His previous books include Secular Surge, Seeking the Promised Land, and American Grace. His research has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal, among other outlets. Christina Wolbrecht is professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, where she teaches and writes about women/gender, political parties, and political development. She is the author or coauthor of A Century of Votes for Women, Counting Women’s Ballots, and The Politics of Women’s Rights. She has contributed expertise to outlets such as Newsweek, Washington Post, and Slate.com.