Empowering Connecticut’s Future:

Women in Government program ignites a bold new era of leadership

On a warm July morning in Prospect, Connecticut, more than 200 municipal leaders gathered at The Aria for the second annual Women in Government Summit, hosted by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM). The event brought together a vibrant cross-section of the state’s public servants - mayors, first selectwomen, city council members, department heads, town staff, and emerging professionals - for a full day of training, connection, and celebration. The energy in the room reflected a shared sense of purpose: to elevate and empower women across all levels of municipal leadership.

The Summit is a signature event of CCM’s Women in Government Program, launched in 2024 as a strategic initiative to build leadership pipelines, expand access to professional development, and amplify the voices of women in Connecticut’s cities and towns. While the Summit offers a powerful moment of community and momentum, it is part of a broader and sustained effort to strengthen gender equity in local government.

A Vision for Equity and Leadership

At the heart of the Women in Government initiative is a clear mission: to ensure that more women not only enter public service, but are supported as they rise through the ranks into leadership positions. While women make up an increasing percentage of municipal workforces across Connecticut, there is still a strong need to increase female representation in executive, elected, and policy-making roles.

The initiative is addressing these gaps by building intentional structures around mentorship, visibility, and networking; resources that have long been available, but have not always been tailored to the needs of women in government.

Through regular workshops, peer mentoring circles, speaker series, and resource sharing, CCM’s program works to create spaces where women can connect, learn, and lead together. These opportunities not only support individual career growth, but also strengthen institutional knowledge and collaboration across towns and cities.

The Role of the Advisory Board

Guiding the program’s growth is the Women in Government Advisory Board, a diverse group of women leaders from across Connecticut’s municipalities. The Advisory Board brings together seasoned public servants and emerging voices to shape the initiative’s strategy, programming, and priorities. Their leadership ensures that the program remains grounded in real-world experiences and responsive to the evolving needs of women in local government.

Equity, access, and empowerment are key foundational values that inform every aspect of the program. Whether organizing statewide training or developing networking functions, the Advisory Board is focused on creating opportunities that reflect the diversity of Connecticut’s municipalities and the full range of public service pathways. Prospect

Building Toward a More Inclusive Future

The Women in Government Program is more than a series of events, it is a longterm investment in the future of local leadership. By providing practical insights, useful tools, and shared spaces for collaboration, CCM is helping to close opportunity gaps and elevate the contributions of women in government across the state.

At a time when municipal challenges are growing more complex and communities are demanding more inclusive representation, the need for strong, diverse leadership has never been greater. The Women in Gov- ernment initiative meets this moment with clarity and purpose.

By continuing to support women’s professional development, create space for mentorship, and foster pathways to leadership, CCM is helping ensure that Connecticut’s municipal governments are reflective ofand responsive to - the people they serve.

With each new group of participants, each new Summit, and each new community touched by this work, the Women in Government Program is not only helping build individual careers, it is shaping a stronger, more equitable future for all of Connecticut.