This Elected Woman is Leveraging Kindness as a Policy Framework

This Elected Woman is Leveraging Kindness as a Policy Framework

Welcome to Elected Women Across America, a podcast brought to you by the National Foundation for Women Legislators and featuring elected women with common goals to exchange legislative ideas and reach across the aisle. Hosted by Brenna Kehew Sculley, this podcast provides a direct line to the leaders that the organization empowers.  In this episode, Brenna connects with one of our recent NFWL Women of Excellence Award winners: Lakewood, California Mayor Cassandra Chase. An educator, social impact leader, and entrepreneur, Mayor Chase shares her journey from a local Girl Scout to becoming her city's chief. She dives into her unique mayoral framework—the "Year of Kindness, Care, and Civic Action"—and how practicing joy has evolved from a personal philosophy to a policy framework.  Plus! We are joined in the studio by NFWL’s very own Executive Director Renee Dabbs for another Leadership Academy session—this time on tackling burnout in practical ways. At NFWL, we'll continue these conversations throughout the summer, featured on our podcast and in our Leadership Academy sessions. You can find the schedule for those sessions on our website here [https://womenlegislators.org/2026-cliftonstrengths-webinars/].  Submissions for the Women of Excellence Awards are open throughout the year! Hear a highlight from NFWL's own Anna Hale of our Women of Excellence so far and head to our website to nominate an elected woman who inspires you and help us continue to elevate these essential voices. For more information and resources from the National Foundation for Women Legislators, you can visit us at www.womenlegislators.org. For more information and resources from the National Foundation for Women Legislators, you can visit us at www.womenlegislators.org [https://www.womenlegislators.org/]. Subscribe to “Elected Women Across America” on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1699102541 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elected-women-across-america/id1699102541] Follow “Elected Women Across America” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N [https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N] Follow “Elected Women” on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/ [https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/]

This Elected Woman is Giving Back to the Senior Village that Raised Her

Welcome to Elected Women Across America, a podcast brought to you by the National Foundation for Women Legislators and featuring elected women with common goals to exchange legislative ideas and reach across the aisle. Hosted by Brenna Kehew Sculley, this podcast provides a direct line to the leaders that the organization empowers. In this episode, Brenna sits down with Councilwoman Toyia Tucker of Columbus, Georgia. An Air Force veteran who was raised by a village of educators and military leaders, Councilwoman Tucker shares why her primary focus in office is giving back to the senior community that raised her. Representing one of Georgia’s  largest cities, she details her hands-on approach to local leadership and explores how to tackle the hard choices of local governance with empathy, ensuring seniors can navigate inflation and age in place with the dignity they deserve. Submissions for the Women of Excellence Awards are open throughout the year! Tune in to hear Communications Coordinator Anna Hale highlight some of our 2026 Award winners. Head to our website [https://womenlegislators.org/women-of-exellence/] to nominate an elected woman who inspires you. For more information and resources from the National Foundation for Women Legislators, you can visit us at www.womenlegislators.org. For more information and resources from the National Foundation for Women Legislators, you can visit us at www.womenlegislators.org [https://www.womenlegislators.org/]. Subscribe to “Elected Women Across America” on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1699102541 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elected-women-across-america/id1699102541] Follow “Elected Women Across America” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N [https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N] Follow “Elected Women” on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/ [https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/]

This Elected Women is Bringing Fireside Chats Back for Her Constituents

Welcome to Elected Women Across America, a podcast brought to you by the National Foundation for Women Legislators and featuring elected women with common goals to exchange legislative ideas and reach across the aisle. Hosted by Brenna Kehew Sculley, this podcast provides a direct line to the leaders that the organization empowers. In this episode, Brenna sits down with Colorado State Representative Sheila Lieder. A "JeffCo mom" and longtime labor advocate who transitioned from a 38-year telecom career to the State House, Representative Lieder shares her unique approach to staying accessible by hosting literal fireside chats with her community ahead of a diverse legislative lineup for 2026. As Vice Chair of Health and Human Services, she digs into her diverse 2026 legislative lineup, including protecting retirees through portable homestead exemptions, expanding preventative healthcare for chronic kidney disease, and fighting for consumer data privacy.  Plus! We turn to Renee Dabbs, our resident CliftonStrengths expert and interim Executive Director, for a Leadership Academy check-in. Tune in to hear how you can take this time to reconnect with your strengths and continue to grow as legislative session slows down. Check out NFWL's Leadership Academy page [https://womenlegislators.org/nfwl-leadership-academy/] for more resources and access the schedule for this summer's leadership webinars! Submissions for the Women of Excellence Awards are open throughout the year! Head to our website [https://womenlegislators.org/women-of-exellence/] to nominate an elected woman who inspires you. For more information and resources from the National Foundation for Women Legislators, you can visit us at www.womenlegislators.org [https://www.womenlegislators.org/]. Subscribe to “Elected Women Across America” on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1699102541 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elected-women-across-america/id1699102541] Follow “Elected Women Across America” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N [https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N] Follow “Elected Women” on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/ [https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/]

This Elected Woman Ran on Educating and Empowering Her Constituents

Welcome to Elected Women Across America, a podcast brought to you by the National Foundation for Women Legislators and featuring elected women with common goals to exchange legislative ideas and reach across the aisle. Hosted by Brenna Kehew Sculley, this podcast provides a direct line to the leaders that the organization empowers. In this episode, Brenna sits down with two dynamic Delaware leaders dedicated to community unity. We first hear from Mayor Tabitha Gott of Smyrna on how she is celebrating her community roots ahead of the nation's 250th birthday celebration, and bringing the "hometown" spirit back to her constituents with new resources across youth groups, fire departments, and local businesses. We then hear from Councilwoman Michelle Harlee, whose mission to "educate and empower" her constituents through legislation formed her campaign for council. Councilwoman Harlee shares her vision for 2026 and what she's bringing to her communities in need.  This week kicks off Period Poverty Awareness Week (May 11-17)! Hear from Jennifer Herrera, Executive Director of PERIOD., as she digs into the organization's mission to eradicate period poverty and stigma through education, service, and advocacy. Tune in to hear how you can help close the period poverty gap in your own communities as elected women.  Submissions for the Women of Excellence Awards are now open! This award was created to identify elected women who have worked tirelessly, often breaking down barriers, to serve their communities. We'll be featuring select Women of Excellence in our podcast episodes. You can recognize your colleagues here [https://www.womenlegislators.org]. For more information and resources from the National Foundation for Women Legislators, you can visit us at www.womenlegislators.org [https://www.womenlegislators.org/]. Subscribe to “Elected Women Across America” on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1699102541 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elected-women-across-america/id1699102541] Follow “Elected Women Across America” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N [https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N] Follow “Elected Women” on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/ [https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/]

This Elected Woman is Building Consensus from Her State's Minority Party

Welcome to Elected Women Across America, a podcast brought to you by the National Foundation for Women Legislators and featuring elected women with common goals to exchange legislative ideas and reach across the aisle. Hosted by Brenna Kehew Sculley, this podcast provides a direct line to the leaders that the organization empowers. IIn this episode, Brenna sits down with Florida State Representative Yvonne Hinson. An educator and entrepreneur, Representative Hinson has a mission to combat gun violence through local community alliances and strong constituent services. She digs in to what's on her agenda for her final legislative term and the devoted village of extended family members that inspire her work today. Plus! Do you know how to use your strengths to their full potential? NFWL empowers elected women through our Leadership Academy, and we'll continue to feature a special leadership segment with our interim Executive Director and Clifton Strengths certified coach Renee Dabbs. Tune in now for more valuable opportunities for growth, leadership development, and lasting success! You can learn more about NFWL's Leadership Academy and resources here [https://womenlegislators.org/nfwl-leadership-academy/].  Submissions for the Women of Excellence Awards are now open! The Elected Women of Excellence Award was created to identify elected women who have worked tirelessly, often breaking down barriers and overcoming obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, to serve their communities. These pacesetters have engendered an environment where women can now serve in public office and fight for the issues they are passionate about. You can recognize your colleagues here. [https://womenlegislators.org/women-of-exellence/]  For more information and resources from the National Foundation for Women Legislators, you can visit us at www.womenlegislators.org [https://www.womenlegislators.org/]. Subscribe to “Elected Women Across America” on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1699102541 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elected-women-across-america/id1699102541] Follow “Elected Women Across America” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N [https://open.spotify.com/show/7drASscWr3MVxzNi5hRN0N] Follow “Elected Women” on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/ [https://www.instagram.com/electedwomen/]