Center for American Women and Politics


The Center for American Women and Politics is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Established in 1971, it is nationally and internationally recognized as the leading source of scholarly research and current data about U.S. women's political participation. Its mission is "to promote greater knowledge and understanding about women's participation in politics and government and to enhance women's influence and leadership in public life.
The Center provides current numbers and historical data about women in U.S. politics, including information about candidates and officeholders. It also reports information about gender patterns in voting, including gender gaps and the women's vote.
CAWP offers education and outreach programs including:
CAWP's research addresses emerging questions about American women's political participation. Areas of interest include candidate recruitment, candidates and campaigns, civic and political activism, the impact of women public officials, political parties, women and term limits, women political appointees, women of color in politics, and women voters and the gender gap.