For more than 50 years, the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus has helped elect female leaders into office, and on Thursday night, candidates from Kansas and Missouri attended a Kansas City event as they work toward another election season.
“Women hold up half the sky, as the saying goes, and when we work together, we make a difference,” said Barbara Phifer, the democratic nominee for Missouri Secretary of State.
In just seven weeks, voters will decide local, county, state, and federal races.
Both Kansas and Missouri will have 98 women on their ballots.
“We’re 50% of the population, and not even 30% of elected officials are women, and that’s something we aim to change,” said Laura Loyacono, president of the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus.
Thursday night was a room full of support; the group aimed to fundraise for the candidates as well as promote, recruit, and train them.
“Regardless of the party they’re part of, they understand there are things we can learn from each other,” said Pattie Mansur, a candidate for Missouri’s House District 25. “Everyone here is ready to support each other. It has been so exciting running at this time. I’m getting a lot of encouragement.”