Achieving gender parity in the New York City Council by 2021

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.

LAUNCHED IN 2017 BY SPEAKER MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO, COUNCIL MEMBER'S ELIZABETH CROWLEY, MARGARET CHIN & EFFECTIVE NY

As a response to the dwindling number of women in the Council, with only 11 out of a 51-member body, down from a high of 18 in 2009.

IN 2021, 36 MEMBERS OF THE NYC COUNCIL WILL BE TERM-LIMITED

This opportunity gives us 4 years to recruit, train & prepare women. The ultimate result will give us not just the necessary quantity of candidates but a quality slate of women to run and win.

Our Mission

OUR ULTIMATE AIM

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 networking.

TOO OFTEN, WOMEN WHO WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE ARE TOLD TO “WAIT THEIR TURN.”

Meanwhile, men are groomed for office by the political institutions. As a result, when open-seats arise, women candidates are less likely to have the fundraising networks, policy experience, or political relationships to create a successful candidacy.

THIS IMBALANCE HURTSPOLICY-MAKING AND PERPETUATES THE POLITICAL GLASS CEILING, WEAKENING OUR CITY.

Studies say, when women run, they win as often as men,
but they self-select out. Yet, since November’s election,
thousands of women across NYC have stepped forward,
are taking action, and voicing their ambition to run for every office possible.

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Our Approach

MENTORSHIP

21 in ’21 will pair candidates with current and former women elected officials, giving candidates support and advice.

PIPELINE

By working with the like-minded State and National organizations, 21 in ’21 will create a pipeline of qualified and diverse candidates targeting the 2021 Council open-seats.

While not all the women in our program will ultimately become candidates, we will create a hub of campaign volunteers, staff, and government operatives.

ONE-ON-ONE CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT

21 in ’21 will provide candidates with access to consultants, fundraisers, & issue experts. These sessions prepare women for the reality of planning and running a campaign, this includes understanding their district, local & city wide issues, the political landscape, fundraising, budgeting, endorsements, field work, and governing.

Supporters

Quotes

“We can and must do better to ensure that women and girls have a voice in the policies that will affect generations of New Yorkers”

— Council Member Margaret Chin

“Our initiative will arm women with the financial, structural and experiential support they need to succeed.”

— Council Member Elizabeth Crowley

“We must make sure that the diversity of our great city is reflected in all elected offices. That’s why it’s crucial to support women throughout every point of her campaign.”

— Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito