Our Mission
The Women’s Congressional Policy Institute’s (WCPI) mission is to build a community of bipartisan women policymakers and trusted partners to advance issues of importance to women, develop the next generation of women leaders in public policy, and foster a more effective and representative democracy.
Our Vision
We envision a Congress where women’s leadership and bipartisan policymaking drive solutions that improve the lives of women and girls.
Our Guiding Principles
WCPI is committed to core values that, along with our mission, guide our work and shape the culture of our organization.
- Bipartisanship: We are committed to encouraging collaboration on policy priorities that span the partisan divide to foster solutions for women and girls.
- Leadership: We support and cultivate bipartisan women leaders on Capitol Hill and in public policy.
- Trust: We are trusted conveners with a track record of providing a platform for bipartisan connection, dialogue, and learning.
- Inclusion: We embrace diversity of thought, background, and experience and seek to ensure that those who are underrepresented in public policy decision-making have access to opportunities to legislate.
Our History
Established in 1995 after the House of Representatives voted to eliminate the staff and funding for all caucus organizations, including the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus (formerly the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues), WCPI fills a critical role in the policy and advocacy community. As a 501(c)(3) organization, WCPI does not lobby or take positions on legislation or policy.
Over the years, WCPI, formerly known as Women’s Policy, Inc., has worked to strengthen and expand the capacity of the Women’s Caucus through its briefings and meetings for women Members of Congress and their staff, both to bring them closer together across party lines and to encourage bipartisan policy priorities to advance issues of interest to women and their families.
WCPI has worked more recently to build and expand the pipeline of young women leaders, through its congressional fellowship program, internship program, and special events, such as Take Our Daughters to Congress Day. “Joint Session,” WCPI’s bicameral, bipartisan program for women chiefs of staff, committee staff directors, and senior leadership staff provides, opportunities for networking and professional development among senior women leaders on Capitol Hill. These efforts together can contribute to improving the functioning of Congress as an institution.
To learn more about WCPI, click here to see our recently released 2025 Annual Report.