The Hyatt Regency was packed with potential Wednesday evening at Running Start’s Women To Watch Awards. Future leaders flocked to the eighth annual event for the non-profit, an organization founded in 2007 to address the political ambition gap and inspire young women to lead.
“Of all state and federal level elected offices, less than one in four are held by women,” said Running Start Founder and President Susannah
Wellford. “We know that a key part of solving this disparity is inspiration and training early in life to plant the seed of political leadership.”
And the seeds were sprouting! Brittany Amano, 16, of Hawaii, has already started two nonprofits and raised over $596,000 to empower social change. Amano was on hand Wednesday and recognized as Running Start’s Emerging Young Leader from a group of five finalists (between the ages of 14 and 25) who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their communities and were chosen in a nation-wide contest.
Also making an appearance… Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, who received the Making History Award. Earlier that day at a young leaders’ luncheon, Davuluri commented on how humbled she was to hear all that these young women, who dream of leading in politics one day, 
have already accomplished — and shared that she hasn’t ruled out politics for her own future.
Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) were honored with the Trailblazer Award on behalf of the women of the U.S. Senate for their role in ending the government shutdown last year.
One event bringing together a young powerhouse, a national iconic figure and two primetime policymakers… Running Start sure shows how a woman’s place is in the House — and definitely in the Senate!
