For Jean Sinzdak ’96, there’s nothing quite like the moment a woman realizes she has what it takes to run for public office. Her eyes light up. Her confidence soars. Suddenly, she’s no longer just a part of the discussion; she’s a part of the process.
As director of the Program for Women Public Officials at the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), Sinzdak has these moments a few times a week. Through the Rutgers University-based program, Sinzdak connects with community leaders across the country to increase the number and impact of women in politics and to make political women’s leadership more effective.
Unlike men who are quick to jump into the political fray, Sinzdak says studies show women need a little nudge. Through Ready to Run™, a nonpartisan campaign training for women, Sinzdak and her colleagues give prospective candidates the training and, most importantly, the encouragement they need.
“A lot of women need someone to ask them to run. We say, ‘Consider this your invitation to run. We’re asking you,’” Sinzdak explains.
Sinzdak’s interest in politics started early in her career at The University of Scranton. Though she was an English major, Sinzdak also completed a Women’s Studies Concentration. The courses exposed Sinzdak to a new world of issues, making her more passionate about the role of women in politics.
Since graduation, Sinzdak has become an integral part of CAWP. In addition to leading the Ready to Run™ program, she’s worked on several successful initiatives including a campaign to increase the participation of minority women in politics.
CAWP Director Debbie Walsh describes Sinzdak as an innovative problem solver. She says Sinzdak is willing to step out of her job description to make sure the center’s boat sails smoothly.
“She’s someone who always steps up,” Walsh says. “There’s never a time when a problem arises and she doesn’t say, ‘Let’s try this. Let’s figure out a new way to do this. Let’s take on a new project.’”
Leading a program like Ready to Run™ isn’t something you learn by reading a book. The challenges Sinzdak faces force her to think on her feet and, she says, the critical thinking skills she developed at Scranton allowed her to reach her goals.
“Scranton gave me the ability to think creatively,” Sinzdak explains. “To look at problems and analyze them and come up with solutions.”
Sinzdak will get a chance to bring two of her passions together in the coming year. The Ready to Run™ program is starting a partnership with the University, and Sinzdak couldn’t be more excited. Her former professor and current Political Science Department Chair Jean Harris, Ph.D., is leading the effort to bring Ready to Run™ to Scranton. (The first Ready to Run™ program – Ready to Run Northeast Pennsylvania – will be held on campus Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.)
“It’s really come full circle for me,” Sinzdak said. “It’s a really terrific feeling because I’m so proud of this school, and I’m so proud of this program.”
