21 in '21 seeks to elect, at least, 21 women to the New York City Council's body of 51 members by 2021. Women are significantly underrepresented within government.

The 21 in '21 nonpartisan effort will prepare women candidates to run for City Council through support, training, and networking.

Our Objective

Despite being a majority of the voting population, women are underrepresented at all levels of government. This imbalance hurts policy-making and perpetuates the political glass ceiling, weakening our city. 

With an ultimate goal of true gender parity, 21 in ‘21 aims to elect at least 21 women to the NYC Council by 2021, through fundraising support, political training, issue education, and access to empowering networks.

Studies show when women run they win as often as men. The problem is many potential female candidates pass on the opportunity because of societal hurdles. However, since the 2016 election, thousands of women across NYC have stepped forward, taking action, and voicing their ambition to run for office.

Why 2021?

21 in ’21 was launched in 2017 by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Members Elizabeth Crowley, Margaret Chin & Effective NY.

The initiative is a response to the dwindling number of women in the Council. As of 2018, only 11 out of the Council’s 51-member’s are women, down from a high of 18 in 2009. 

Women who have the experience and want to run for office, are too often told they must"wait their turn"

Men are more often groomed for office by political institutions. As a result, when open sets arise, women candidates are less likely to have the fundraising networks, policy experience or political relationships to create a successful campaign.

In 2021, 35 Members of the NYC Council will be Term-Limited.

This opportunity is giving us the time to recruit, train & prepare women so they can run and win. By engaging early and aggressively, we are not only be able to field more women candidates than ever, but are cultivating these candidates to win.