Welcome to the July edition of WCPI’s Monthly Dispatch! This month, WCPI continued to bring together bipartisan leaders and partners to advance conversations on women’s leadership and issues affecting women and families. As Congress enters its August recess, WCPI’s Monthly Dispatch will also take a short recess and return in September!
July Leadership Roundtable
This month, WCPI hosted a Leadership Roundtable at the U.S. Capitol, bringing together a small group of donors for a breakfast discussion with two bipartisan House chiefs of staff—Brooke Bennett with Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Christina Mahoney with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). The Leadership Roundtables are one of the ways WCPI convenes bipartisan policymakers, congressional staff, and leaders from the public policy community.
The discussion offered attendees an opportunity to hear about leadership on Capitol Hill, the importance of bipartisan collaboration, and the role that networking plays in developing the next generation of congressional staff. These candid discussions reflect WCPI’s commitment to fostering connections across the congressional ecosystem to strengthen the pipeline of women leaders and create opportunities for learning, collaboration, and engagement.
Leadership Spotlight
In the U.S. House of Representatives, women make up 43% of chiefs of staff, the highest level of representation to date. Brooke Bennett and Christina Mahoney are just two of those chiefs, and they’ve both made it a priority to invest in mentoring younger female Hill staff. Learn more about each of them and their leadership philosophy below!
Brooke Bennett has served as Chief of Staff to House Financial Services Committee Chairman, French Hill (R-AR), since his election in 2014. She started her career in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2005 as an investigative counsel on the House Oversight Committee, focused on national security. From 2009 until 2014, she served as Legislative Director for two Members of Congress. She prioritizes staff development and institution building. Brooke founded a mentoring program for GOP female Chiefs of Staff and previously ran the monthly House GOP Breakfast Club. She also started several bipartisan initiatives for House Chiefs of Staff, including the first-of-its-kind listserv for all House Chiefs and a Chief of Staff book club.
“I’ve always said that one of women’s key superpower is convening— bringing people together to build trusted relationships and create the connections that drive progress on Capitol Hill, strengthen institutions, and grow future leaders. That’s exactly what WCPI fosters in its work on Capitol Hill. WCPI is uniquely important because it provides a forum for those relationships to flourish – opening doors to collaboration, mentorship, and professional development that will help ensure more women have a seat at the table.” — A. Brooke Bennett, Chief of Staff to Rep. French Hill
Christina Mahoney is Chief of Staff for Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II from Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. She also advises the Congressman on agriculture policy and foreign policy for his position on the Helsinki Commission and as Co-Chair of the Congressional Serbian Caucus. Christina has twenty years of congressional experience and has also worked on trade, energy, and transportation and infrastructure issues. Christina began her career on Capitol Hill in the office of Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). She is a member of the Women’s Congressional Staff Association and board member of the Women’s Congressional Golf Association.
“Strong institutions are built by people who invest in one another. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how mentorship, collaboration, and a commitment to public service create opportunities for the next generation of women leaders. Organizations like WCPI help cultivate those pathways, empowering women to expand their impact, strengthen their communities, and lead with confidence.” — Christina Mahoney, Chief of Staff to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II
Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize the contributions, leadership, and experiences of people with disabilities while reaffirming the importance of creating a more accessible society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in four U.S. adults (approximately 28%) lives with a disability, yet people with disabilities remain underrepresented in elected office and continue to face barriers to political participation and leadership. Women and girls with disabilities often face unique barriers to education, employment, health care, and civic participation. At WCPI, we believe that effective public policy is strengthened when every voice is represented, and we remain committed to advancing conversations that promote accessibility and opportunities for women of all abilities.
Highwater Mark for Women in the Senate
Darline Graham Nordone, sister of late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, was sworn in on July 14, 2026, to serve the remainder of her brother’s term in the U.S. Senate through January 3, 2027. On July 20, she announced that she will run for a full six-year term during this year’s midterm elections. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11.
With the swearing-in of Sen. Darline Graham, 27 women are now serving simultaneously in the United States Senate—the highest number in U.S. history. Her appointment also marks the first time in Senate history that a sibling has been sworn in to replace a senator who died in office, and she is also the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
More Paid Leave for More Americans Act
On July 16, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the bipartisan More Paid Leave for More American’s Act (S.5017). This legislation is designed to expand access to paid family and medical leave nationwide and is the Senate companion to H.R. 3089, introduced by Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) in April 2025.
The bill would establish a competitive Department of Labor grant program to help states develop paid leave programs and create an interstate network to coordinate paid leave benefits across participating states. As women continue to navigate the demands of work and caregiving, access to paid leave remains a critical component of women’s economic opportunity and family well-being. The legislation prioritizes support for states that do not currently offer paid leave programs, with the goal of increasing access for working families.
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.
Warmly,
Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat