Welcome to the May and June edition of WCPI’s Monthly Dispatch! Over the past two months, we have continued to advance bipartisan leadership and support women in public service through impactful programming and events. In May, we hosted the third session of our Legislative Directors Program and highlighted bipartisan efforts to address sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill. In June, we celebrated our 2026 Fellows at a Capitol Hill reception and recognized Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.
WCPI’s Legislative Director’s Program
In May, we hosted our third session of our Legislative Director’s program. WCPI partnered with SHRM and brought together a group of bipartisan women Legislative Directors to discuss managing a multi-generational workforce. Emily M. Dickens, J.D., SHRM’s Chief Administrative Officer shared invaluable insights on emerging workplace trends and practical strategies for empowering staff in congressional offices. Seeing these leaders connect, share strategies, and elevate their management skills is exactly why we started this program. Thank you to Emily and to all the incredible LDs who joined us!
Leadership Spotlight
Also in May, congressional leaders renewed bipartisan efforts to strengthen protections against workplace sexual harassment in Congress. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, and Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Chair of the Republican Women’s Caucus, announced a partnership to address sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill.
These efforts have received backing from both Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, demonstrating a bipartisan recognition that preventing and addressing workplace sexual misconduct must remain a priority. Together, these leaders are advancing reforms that promote accountability, strengthen workplace culture, and help ensure Congress is a safe and professional workplace for all.
2026 Fellowship Reception
On June 23, WCPI hosted a Capitol Hill reception where we celebrated our 2026 fellows and all their hard work these past 6 months. This year’s fellows, Avika Dhillon and Julia Mattingly, worked as legislative fellows for the offices of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging under Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Kim Schrier, respectively. We were joined by Grace Hart, Education Policy Adviser for the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, each of whom spoke about their respective fellows, as well as former fellows, family, friends and fellowship sponsors.
Our heartfelt thanks to our 2026 sponsors: Novartis, PepsiCo, Kahn Education Foundation, and the North America Taiwanese Women’s Association. We also thank the many individual donors to the Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy. WCPI is proud to carry on the legacy of Susan Scanlan, who started the fellowship program as President of the Women’s Research and Education Institute in 1980.
Applications for the Class of 2027 Fellows are now open. Click here to learn more and share this opportunity with your networks! Applications are due July 10 at 5pm EDT.
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to recognize the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Women account for nearly two-thirds of all cases and are more likely to serve as caregivers for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. This month, organizations across the country, including HealthyWomen, have worked to raise awareness about the disease’s disproportionate impact on women and the importance of early detection, research, and caregiver support. WCPI is proud to amplify HealthyWomen’s This is ALZ campaign, which is helping reshape how people understand the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Senator Susan Collins, a founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, recently introduced the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act to expand access to dementia screening and early detection. Representative Maxine Waters, Co-Chair of the Task Force, has also continued to champion caregivers through the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act. Together, HealthyWomen and bipartisan women leaders in Congress are helping advance awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on women, families, and caregivers.
With Gratitude to Krista and Alyssa!
This month, WCPI said goodbye to two valued members of our team, Krista Selnau Camarda and Alyssa Innis. We are grateful for their dedication, hard work, and many contributions to WCPI. Their efforts have made a lasting impact on our organization, and we wish them both every success and happiness in their future endeavors.
Thank you!
As always, if your office or organization is interested in partnering with WCPI, hosting an event, or suggesting topics for future briefings, we’re just a message away!