Who we are
August 2007

A history of WiLL

Check out the WiLL brochure for full information! Download and print WiLL brochure

WiLL Pacesetters are women state legislators whom WiLL has recognized as leaders and visionaries.

WiLL State Directors do the work of keeping WiLL vital and relevant to state legislators on local, state, and federal levels.

WiLL Trailblazers are retired women state legislators who mentor current legislators, encourage women to run for office, and serve as a resource for women candidates.

---

What We Do

WiLL is a powerful voice with members in all 50 states, who represent millions of constituents.

WiLL seeks to:

---

Brief History of WiLL

Since 1991, WiLL (the Women Legislators’ Lobby) has grown to include one in every three women legislators in its membership from all 50 states. We equip members with timely materials on the impact of federal policy and the federal budget on state programs. And we provide simple, effective ways to influence federal decision-making to benefit constituents.

Since 1993, WiLL has hosted biennial policy conferences in Washington which bring together state and federal legislators, executive branch members, policy experts, and community leaders. These national conferences occur every two years. Our next meeting will take place in September 2007.

Our training workshops, policy briefings, and professional development programs help legislators to become more effective at home and to strengthen working relationships with their Congressional colleagues. Throughout the year various training opportunities are offered in state capitals around the country, in Washington, and via teleconferencing.

Legislators in all states are struggling to deal with the shift in responsibilities and programs from the federal to the state level. To excel in meeting constituent needs and balancing state budgets, legislators cannot afford to be in the dark about the federal budgets, policies and programs. We provide hard facts and real answers about what happens in Washington.

Our action updates, sample op-eds, press releases, conferences and issue workshops keep legislators “in the loop” on major national policy debates. We provide invaluable networking opportunities for legislators to exchange ideas and legislation, including the chance to link up with women activists at the state and local level. Through WiLL, legislators in state after state have accessed and educated their Congressional members on crucial issues.

WiLL has members at both the state and federal levels. Former WiLL members have become governors and members of the U.S. Congress. In the 110th Congress, 37 women are affiliated with WAND/WiLL, and we are confident that the future will bring even more women to Capitol Hill.

With each ensuing year, we at WiLL know that we are shaping the future not only of the voices and perspective of state policies and state legislatures, but of federal policy as well, as more women are elected to the US House and Senate.

Trailblazers
In 2003, we founded Trailblazers, a network of former women legislators whose contacts and influence continue to have an impact on national priorities and foreign policy issues. Membership in the Trailblazers arm of WiLL currently exceeds 300 women.