Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon Opens Power Rising 2026, Emphasizes Expanding Access to Leadership (Chicago, IL) – Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon helped open Power Rising 2026, a national summit focused on advancing women’s leadership and equity, as hundreds of leaders gathered in Chicago to discuss expanding opportunity and strengthening civic participation.
The event brought together nearly 500 participants from government, business, advocacy and community organizations. Attendees included prominent national figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic National Convention Chair Minyon Moore and political strategist Donna Brazile.
In her opening remarks, Gordon underscored the importance of building pathways for broader participation in leadership and public life, particularly for women and communities that have historically faced barriers.
“Power Rising represents what’s possible when leadership is shared, when access is intentional, and when communities are centered in the work,” Gordon said. “The future of our democracy depends on more than who is at the table—it depends on whether people have a real pathway to get there.”
The summit focused on how women, especially women of color, are influencing policy, driving change in their communities and shaping leadership across sectors.
Gordon tied the event’s themes to her role as Cook County Clerk and chief election authority for suburban Cook County, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect voting rights, maintain election integrity and expand access to the democratic process.
Organizers said the conference aims to foster collaboration and develop strategies to support the next generation of leaders while addressing systemic barriers to participation.
Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon Opens Power Rising 2026, Emphasizes Expanding Access to Leadership
