Michelle Bekkering is the National Engagement Director for the US Global Leadership Coalition. Prior to joining the Coalition, she was nominated by the president and unanimously confirmed by the senate as Assistant Administrator of the US Agency for International Development. Michelle is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and equality, and she was the leading architect of the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, a US government initiative whose goal is to economically empower 50 million women by 2025. She served 12 years at the IRI (International Republican Institute). During her tenure there, she provided leadership on democracy, rights, and governance initiatives in DC and abroad, including serving as the IRI’s country director based in Indonesia. She also served on the Congressional Advisory Council of the US House of Representatives, House Democracy partnership program. Michelle is a native of Iowa, and she lives with her husband and their daughter in Washington, DC.

Today, Michelle joins me to talk about her journey of finding her field in the world of politics. She notes that all politics is local and shares the story of how her mother and grandmother taught her about the importance of politics. She explains why women need to be involved in peace negotiations, discusses voter turnout, and shares stories of women around the world. We also discuss the need to get women talking about politics.

“When you have nothing else to lose, you have everything to gain.”

- Michelle Bekkering

This Week on Political Contessa:
Getting women talking about policy
How the women before her taught Michelle the importance of politics
Why women need to be involved in peace negotiations
Why empowering women means empowering the community
The experiences of different women across the world
Voter turnout

Resources Mentioned:
pocketbookproject.org
Jennifer Nassour on Twitter
team@pocketbookproject.org

Welcome to Political Contessa.

I’m Jennifer Nassour, and this show is here to support your interest in center-right politics, policy, and breaking news.

Listen in and discover how to awaken your inner ideal candidate and, if you’re ready, learn how you can jump in and change the world as a runner or a supporter.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts

Don’t Forget to Pick Up My Quick Guide!

If you’ve ever considered running, or you know a woman who should, I’ve got something just for you: my quick guide called Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.

To get these tips and learn about all new podcast episodes and ways to get involved, head over to politicalcontessa.com.

Michelle Bekkering is the National Engagement Director for the US Global Leadership Coalition. Prior to joining the Coalition, she was nominated by the president and unanimously confirmed by the senate as Assistant Administrator of the US Agency for International Development. Michelle is a passionate advocate for women&rsquo;s empowerment and equality, and she was the leading architect of the White House-led Women&rsquo;s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, a US government initiative whose goal is to economically empower 50 million women by 2025. She served 12 years at the IRI (International Republican Institute). During her tenure there, she provided leadership on democracy, rights, and governance initiatives in DC and abroad, including serving as the IRI&rsquo;s country director based in Indonesia. She also served on the Congressional Advisory Council of the US House of Representatives, House Democracy partnership program. Michelle is a native of Iowa, and she lives with her husband and their daughter in Washington, DC.
Today, Michelle joins me to talk about her journey of finding her field in the world of politics. She notes that all politics is local and shares the story of how her mother and grandmother taught her about the importance of politics. She explains why women need to be involved in peace negotiations, discusses voter turnout, and shares stories of women around the world. We also discuss the need to get women talking about politics.
&ldquo;When you have nothing else to lose, you have everything to gain.&rdquo;
- Michelle Bekkering
This Week on Political Contessa:
<ul>
<li>Getting women talking about policy</li>
<li>How the women before her taught Michelle the importance of politics</li>
<li>Why women need to be involved in peace negotiations</li>
<li>Why empowering women means empowering the community</li>
<li>The experiences of different women across the world</li>
<li>Voter turnout</li>
</ul>
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://pocketbookproject.org">pocketbookproject.org</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/jennifernassour">Jennifer Nassour on Twitter</a></li>
<li><a href="mailto:team@pocketbookproject.org">team@pocketbookproject.org</a></li>
</ul>
Welcome to Political Contessa.
I&rsquo;m Jennifer Nassour, and this show is here to support your interest in center-right politics, policy, and breaking news.
Listen in and discover how to awaken your inner ideal candidate and, if you&rsquo;re ready, learn how you can jump in and change the world as a runner or a supporter.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6ImzVp6n3MBUcMBP8jsZhu">Spotify</a> I <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=656529">Stitcher</a> I <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-contessa/id1588917810">Apple Podcasts</a> I <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-political-contessa-87658237/">iHeart Radio</a> I <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Political-Contessa-p1531739/">TuneIn</a> I <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvZGFlMDZlNGItMGQ0YS00YmZjLTljZGEtYWRhMjAwZmFjMjNlL2Y5ODQwODQzLWIyNjUtNDI0Mi05MWFiLWFkYWYwMGFlODZmOC9jYzc1YWM1MS1hZGU1LTQwYmEtYmY5My1hZGFmMDBiMmM5NjMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M%3d">Google Podcasts</a>
Don&rsquo;t Forget to Pick Up My Quick Guide!
If you&rsquo;ve ever considered running, or you know a woman who should, I&rsquo;ve got something just for you: my quick guide called Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you&rsquo;re ready to enter the political arena.
To get these tips and learn about all new podcast episodes and ways to get involved, head over to <a href="http://politicalcontessa.com">politicalcontessa.com</a>.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.  My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.  I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.  Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Political Contessa

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.

Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

I’m Jennifer. I’m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.
Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
I&rsquo;m Jennifer. I&rsquo;m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I&rsquo;m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I&rsquo;m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>

Today, Michelle joins me to talk about her journey of finding her field in the world of politics.

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