POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
Hunt is active in Democratic politics, focusing on increasing diverse representation. Her passion for mental health reform and advocacy inspired her foray into politics. During Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, she co-chaired "Serious Women, Serious Issues, Serious Money" — widely considered the first time such diverse women came together to provide major financial backing for a national political campaign. Most recently she convened Unconventional Women, a six-hour program featuring more than 20 female political leaders for an audience of 3000 in Denver, concurrent with the Democratic National Convention. Following that, she created (with Katherine Archuleta) Women’s Voting Circles, a program that engaged more than 1200 activists who brought 10,000 of the least likely to vote women to the polls to vote for President Obama. She continues to gather current or potential office holders for substantive discussions with experts and supporters.
During Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 1992, Swanee Hunt co-chaired "Serious Women, Serious Issues, Serious Money," a ground-breaking initiative that brought together women from all walks of life to generate major financial backing for a national political campaign. Since then, she has remained very active in the Democratic Party, supporting candidates at all levels. During the 2004 election, Hunt was national co-chair of Dick Gephardt’s 2004 presidential bid and subsequently active in John Kerry’s campaign.
Inspiring Women to Political Leadership
Articles:
Snowe Retires, Highlights Lack of Women in Congress, Gridlock
Voice of Russia - March 1, 2012
Ambassador Swanee Hunt discusses Senator Olympia Snowe's retirement and the value of electing more women to Congress.
Political Parity Launches Year of Women Campaign
MS. Magazine - January 23, 2012
Political Parity held a press conference on January 19th to announce the initiative chaired by Swanee Hunt and Kerry Healey. Healey dubbed the campaign a "grand experiment".
Ending the 'hot or not' factor for Nikki Haley and female candidates
by Swanee Hunt and Kerry Healey, The Christian Science Monitor - October 27, 2010
Sexist attitudes in the media toward female candidates don't just hurt women, they hurt all of us – lowering public discourse and damaging political representation. It's time to push back.
Women Start Your Campaigns
by Swanee Hunt and Kerry Healey, The Boston Globe - January 28,2010
Swanee Hunt and former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey co-author an op-ed about women in politics.
Western women can come to the rescue of the world
by Victor Chan, Vancouver Sun - January 25,2010
The Zeitgeist Has Appeared, and She's Smart
by Swanee
Hunt, Huffington Post - March 17, 2009
The Zeitgeist - the spirit of our age and our society - is changing for the better and forever!
A Structure to Match the Vision
by Swanee
Hunt, Huffington Post - January 14, 2009
It's no surprise that Senator Clinton's nomination by President-elect Obama was greeted by most women with elation. But having a strong showing of women in high places is distinct from addressing the concerns of women as a group.
Swanee Hunt eyes next step after Bennet gets Senate nod
by
Tom Locke, The Flume - January 8, 2009
Profile of Swanee Hunt's political activities and plans after Governor Ritter's appointment of Michael Bennet to the US Senate
Eighteen
Million Cracks in the Presidential Glass Ceiling
by Swanee
Hunt, Huffington Post - August 4, 2008
Op-ed on Hillary Clinton losing the Democratic ticket and the need to support Barack Obama.
Swanee Hunt interviewed in "Women Still Vying for Leadership Spots"
by Michel Martin, Tell Me More, NPR - May 28, 2008
Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics, Ellen Moran, executive director of Emily's List, and Hunt are interviewed as advocates who promote women as political leaders on NPR's Tell Me More.
Interview with Russia Today
Russia Today - March 1, 2008
Swanee Hunt spoke to Russia Today about women in Russian and American politics and why women are effective politicians.
Divided We Stand
by Swanee Hunt, Scripps Howard News Service - November 10, 2004
Women
Rock the Boat and Vote
by Swanee Hunt, Boston Herald - July 30, 2004
Tribute article by Swanee Hunt about Ann Lewis and her work on training women leaders to build democracies, strong economies and peace.
Black
Voting Power
by Swanee Hunt, Scripps Howard News Service - March 10, 2004
Ron Bell founder of “Dunk the Vote,” mobilizing minorities in the Boston area to vote. Bell hosts basketball tournaments in low-income areas and where participants learn to vote during game breaks.
A Call to Civic Action
by Swanee Hunt, Scripps Howard News Service - September 3, 2003
Article emphasizing the need for citizens to educate themselves on candidates and vote as the U.S. has ranked 103rd out of 131 democracies in voter participation in national elections since World War II