Political scientists call it the role-model effect: seeing people like us in elected office helps us recognize that we belong there, too. Inspired by Jennie Sweet-Cushman’s research and our work with nurses, midwives, and nurse legislators, Healing Politics created See It to Be It.

An important part of our mission is to inspire, motivate, recruit, and train nurses & midwives to run for elected office at every level. The nurses & midwives featured here began their careers as many of us did: at the bedside, in the operating room, in clinics, and making home visits. Their paths to public service differ, but each demonstrates how nursing and midwifery prepare us to lead.

They did it. You can, too.

See it. Believe it. Be it.