Ignite

IGNITE is a national, nonpartisan political leadership organization mobilizing young women with sustained community-based training and mentorship to propel them into civic and political leadership.

Since 2010 we have provided thousands of trainings and conferences to 40,000+ middle and high school students, college students, and community members. We provide young women with the tools, networks, and mentorship to become voters, activists, candidates, campaign staffers, community organizers, and policymakers. IGNITE originated in the Bay Area through the efforts of founder Dr. Anne Moses, who recognized that thoughtful, diverse young women were completely left out of the nation’s policy-making and governing process, to the detriment of their communities. To effectively solve community problems, those with lived experience must have the power to make necessary change. Moses and current IGNITE CEO Sara Guillermo tested, refined, and delivered IGNITE programming initially in Oakland Title 1 schools, expanding to 2 and 4-year colleges regionally and then statewide. In 2011, building on initial IGNITE success, we expanded nationally, replicating this model’s success before including advocacy work.

Today our program model includes trainings, bootcamps, conferences, and advocacy days for high school and 2 and 4-year college aged women and beyond, to become leaders eager to take civic and political action. We recruit across race, religion, political affiliation, and socio-economic status, fostering in participants the tools to own their political power. We connect their lived experiences to those of electeds who have overcome similar barriers, to show them their value as civic and political leaders. We train them in skills transferable from the local school board to state commission seats to the board room, so they can become the community organizers, doctors, lawyers, heads of business, and change-makers driving communities, states, and the USA toward equity.

IGNITE success is clear in the young women who have transitioned from our programming to community leadership. Those like alumna and current IGNITE Legislative Advocacy Director, Jocelyn Yow, who met IGNITE CEO Sara Guillermo at age 19 when she was a student transferring into UC Berkeley. Jocelyn expressed interest in running for office in her local community, but she was met with resistance. At 24, with Sara’s mentorship, Jocelyn became the youngest woman of color to serve as a California mayor. Jocelyn now inspires women as young as 11 to champion change in their communities, regardless of personal background.

For 14+ years we’ve trained young women as voters, activists, advocates, policymakers, and civic leaders. One hundred and fifty alumni have run for office; 21 have been elected and 48 Dr. Anne Moses Fellows serve in policy-related jobs and internships. IGNITE outcomes as indicators of success include: increased voting, political efficacy, political action, and political ambition from attending IGNITE programming. We measure impact in post-event, year-end, and large annual programmatic surveys. Participant feedback and engagement deeply informs our community-centric approach. We hold town halls, giving participants the opportunity to provide real-time input into ways we can meet the current moment.

IGNITE participants involve voters at a rate 40% higher, are 33% more likely to discuss political topics with their networks, and are 31% more likely to join in a protest or rally than their peers. 40% of Fellow-alumni serve in policy-related jobs. 77% of participants said they are certain to vote in the next election versus 35% of Gen Z women nationally. They show a 90% better understanding of the importance of community civic engagement, a 90% better understanding of how to lead/create community change, and 75% made connections with those (electeds, peers, presenters) who will further their goals. 75% feel more inspired to get involved in policy making and 85% believe they’ve learned skills they will apply in their future. 90% better understand how our government works, and 60% have spent more time volunteering on campaigns and elections.

IGNITE focuses on putting power into the hands of young women who represent the diversity of Orange County. Their lived experience uniquely positions them as experts who must be at decision-making tables. Yet, we know that barriers of gender, race, disability, and class often impede young women’s ambitions and prevent them from pursuing political careers. IGNITE creates spaces for young women to become the architects of change, while introducing them to electeds from their own communities who’ve overcome similar barriers, and who help them understand the value of young women’s voices in the political and policy making process.

IGNITE is shifting our democracy to an equitable civic arena spanning race, gender, and lived experience. Our legislative advocacy work places power in the hands of those traditionally left out of the policy-making process, to the detriment of their communities. Our bootcamps train young women to work with legislators, crafting and championing legislation. IGNITE the Capitol events bring participants from across the state to their legislative seat to meet their representatives, giving them the skills and experience to fight for issues that matter to them.

We address issues of concern to Gen Z young women. IGNITE’s 2023 research shows their key issues nationally include: mass shootings, climate change, racial inequity, mental health crises, and abortion access. Failure of electeds to resolve these issues is activating young women to channel their energy toward state and local change. We train and equip them for this challenge.

Women’s representation in politics is lacking: 28% of Congressional seats, 12 gubernatorial seats, 32.7% of state legislative seats, and 32% of municipal offices are held by women. Leadership is out of touch on issues Gen Z cares about due to both an age and a racial/ethnic gap between the two groups: 89% of Congress are aged 43-90 with similar gaps at state/local levels; 75% identify as White/Non-Hispanic, an ethnic group representing only 59% of the U.S. population.

We train participants to lead today, and well into the future, for a democracy that works for those historically left behind.

IGNITE originated in the Bay Area, and is active throughout California – in Los Angeles, across Orange County, through the Inland Empire, in San Diego, and in much of the greater Bay Area.

"This is a critical moment to engage, support and inspire young people, and especially young women of color, to embrace their political ambition and leadership potential. Your investment in IGNITE's work in Orange County will help us continue to build a strong, diverse pipeline of civic and political leaders for generations to come." - Sara Guillermo, CEO, IGNITE

"As Co-Chairs of IGNITE's Board of Directors, we believe, deeply, that women belong in all places where decisions are made, and that young women represent the future of this country. We support the next generation of political leaders on their journey into politics and believe this effort starts at the local level. To build a pipeline of highly qualified and motivated women who can grow into state and national office positions, young women in Orange County and across California must be empowered to lead in their own communities."
- Sharon Harris and Anne Morriss, Co-Chairs, IGNITE Board of Directors