Oxford Mayor Chosen for Women in Government Leadership Program

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Oxford’s own Mayor Robyn Tannehill is one of 25 women nationwide who have been selected to take part in the Governing Institute’s Women in Government Leadership Program Class of 2019.

The Governing Institute invites elected women leaders from across the nation to be featured in Governing magazine, attend leadership programs to learn job-critical skills and pay it forward by mentoring the next generation of women leaders.
The 100 alumnae of the program are actively recruiting women candidates to run for office and creating initiatives to empower potential officeholders and women already serving in government.The Women in Government Leadership Program Class of 2019 includes women from 22 different states holding a variety of elected offices in state and local government.
Tannehill said she looks forward to the opportunity to learn from leaders during her time in the class.
“It is always inspiring to network with people who are making a difference in their communities and states,” Tannehill said in an interview Tuesday. “Women are making a difference across our nation and I believe it is important to find ways to support each other and encourage others to use their voices for positive change.”
Nominations were received from elected officials, academics, agency staff and Women in Government alumnae throughout the year. The honorees were selected by the Governing Institute based on career and educational accomplishments, personal recommendations, a commitment to actively participate and diversity in class membership. Each cohort includes one rising star—a young woman not yet serving in elected office, but with aspirations to run for office in the future.
“In this election year, we are gaining momentum with hundreds of women candidates on state and local ballots, including many of our Women in Government alumnae and candidates they personally recruited,” said Cathilea Robinett, president of Governing. “However, moving from 23 percent of women in elected office to gender parity will take a long-term investment including the program we have created at Governing.”
The 25 honorees will be profiled in the February 2019 issue of Governing magazine and will participate in Governing events throughout the coming year. The Class of 2019 will gather for their first leadership conference Nov. 9-10 in Palm Springs, Calif.