The Manufacturing Institute, the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, has announced a partnership between the Institute’s STEP Women’s Initiative and POLITICO’s Women Rule for a series of upcoming events to highlight the opportunities for women in manufacturing. Powered by POLITICO, Women Rule seeks to create opportunities for women to advance their leadership skills, knowledge and network through carefully tailored programming, events and insightful content.

Now in its 7th year, the STEP Women’s Initiative aims to close the gender gap in manufacturing and works to foster a 21st-century manufacturing workforce by honoring and promoting the role of women in the manufacturing industry. The Institute does this through recognition, research and leader-ship, as well as by empowering STEP alumnae to pay it forward by mentoring and inspiring the next generation. On Thursday, the Institute honored 130 of the best female leaders in the manufacturing industry at its marquee event, the annual 2019 STEP Ahead Awards program at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

“We are thrilled to partner with POLITICO’s Women Rule to educate and excite more women and girls about careers in manufacturing,” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Women Rule is a great program that connects and empowers women, encouraging leadership across all levels and careers. Our partnership—during the STEP Ahead Awards and beyond—will combine our two initiatives, highlighting the achievements of exceptional women in manufacturing and inspir-ing more to join them.”

The new partnership with POLITICO, which will feature multiple events and a podcast to be re-leased on April 17, brings together two of the nation’s preeminent programs focused exclusively on empowering a growing community of successful and influential women.

Join the Women Rule and STEP Women’s Initiative conversation with the hashtags #STEPAhead, #MFGWomen and #RuleWithUS.

For more information, visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.