In Virginia, Kimberly Pope Adams believes training is key for women aspiring to lead politically. With encouragement from state Senator Danica Roem, she attended a rigorous program by Emerge, aimed at empowering Democratic women candidates. After narrowly losing her first election, she’s campaigning again this November. The data supports her resolve: Democratic women are rising in numbers, now making up a near-equal portion in state legislatures compared to men. Initiatives like Emerge have trained thousands of women, but Republican women face greater barriers with only 21.3% representation in legislatures. Advocates believe diverse leadership is crucial for impactful policymaking.