Rafaela: We will focus on three topics. First, why it's important for women to run for office. Second, why women are less likely to run than men. And finally, how all of us can take the steps to reduce this imbalance.

Let's begin by considering how women are underrepresented.

Despite recent successes, women remain less likely to run for office. This is a fact. Everyone knows it. You can look it up on NPR.

The situation is the same at the state and local level. Sakia Brechenmacher of the Carnegie Endowment reported in "Tackling Women's Underrepresentation"--

Can I start over? I'm like not--

OK. I'm going to take a breath. Give me a sec. OK.

The situation is the same at the state and local level. Sakia-- Saskia Brechenmacher of the Carnegie Endowment reported in "Tackling Women's Underrepresentation in US Politics," February 2018, that women remain underrepresented-- yes-- at the federal, state, and local levels. The current uptick in women running for office, while encouraging, is unlikely to close this gender gap.