Iowa has never elected a woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. Nor has the state ever elected a woman to serve as governor. But Ready to Run Iowa is a program that seeks to change that.

Ready to Run Campaign Training for Women was originally a workshop developed at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in 1998. Iowa State’s Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics joined the Ready to Run National Training Network in 2007.

The Ready to Run Iowa 2011 workshop will focus on developing fundraising, leadership and media skills, as well as provding tips for those running for or being appointed to public office.

Speakers will include Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and former Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson. Ready to Run Iowa is designed for anyone interested in running for all levels of public office or getting more involved in politics.

After each census, Iowa goes through a process of redistricting, in which congressional districts and state legislative districts are redrawn according to population shifts. Redistricting makes it easier to challenge incumbents, and also creates open districts that have no incumbents. Therefore, the 2011 election will present new opportunities for women to run for office.

Dianne Bystrom director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, said Ready to Run Iowa is about more than politics.

“The skills we teach are what women need to know,” said Bystrom.

The director also said that the workshop helps to develop skills that can be applied to any field, be it politics or business.

The next Ready to Run Iowa workshop will be held June 10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Scheman Building. Though Ready to Run is targeted at women, men are welcome to register. Registration costs $75 for those who register before June 3, and $100 for those who register after June 3. Students who register early can be reimbursed $50 of the registration fee. Registration forms are available from the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics website.