Who we are
At 95 in 35, our mission is to support and empower women in Connecticut to run for office, lead with confidence, and transform our state’s political landscape. We are committed to building a powerful network of pro-equality, pro-choice women dedicated to achieving gender equity in state government by the year 2035—when women will hold the majority in our state legislature.
We believe that when women lead, our communities thrive. Yet too often, women are working behind the scenes—overlooked, undervalued, and underrepresented. Barriers like lack of political mentorship, campaign support, and entrenched “old boys club” networks prevent women from stepping into the spotlight. We’re here to change that.
95 in 35 provides women with the tools, training, and sisterhood they need to launch strong campaigns, lead effectively, and support one another. By recruiting and elevating women into elected and campaign leadership roles at the municipal and state levels, we are building the bench of future leaders that Connecticut so urgently needs.
This is about more than representation—it’s about reshaping the system. Together, we are creating a future where women don’t just have a seat at the table—they build the table.
Jacqueline Kozin
Jacqueline Kozin is a recognized leader in women's rights and a seasoned political strategist with a distinguished record of public service. The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors from Ukraine and the first in her family to graduate college, she has spent her career working to advance progressive values, support democracy, and uplift women at every level of civic life.
A former Deputy Secretary of the State, Kozin has held senior roles throughout Connecticut state government, including Director of Intergovernmental and Community Affairs in the Office of the State Comptroller, and Special Advisor and Chief of Government Affairs at the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority.
She has worked on and led multiple successful campaigns—including serving as Deputy Campaign Manager for Governor Ned Lamont’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign and Campaign Manager for State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in Connecticut.
Kozin has also worked on the political party side of politics as Executive Director of the Connecticut Democratic Party, when she led the organization through the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, Kozin has held numerous leadership positions dedicated to gender equity. She was the Founder and Co-Chair of Ella’s List, Founder and Co-Chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party’s Women’s Caucus, Co-President of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Organization for Women (CT NOW), member of the board of National Organization for Women (NOW) and NOW PAC.
An organizer at heart, one of Kozin’s greatest career highlights was coordinating over 60 buses from Connecticut to Washington, D.C. for the Women’s March in 2017.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Albertus Magnus College and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.
She serves her community as a member of the East Hartford Democratic Town Committee and a commissioner of the East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Art.
Co-Founder & Chair
Eliza Massaro
Eliza Massaro is a seasoned leader, political strategist, and community advocate dedicated to building stronger, more representative government at every level. After a successful 27-year career in sales and management, where she honed her skills in leadership, strategy, and communications, Eliza transitioned into politics with a clear mission: to make a lasting impact.
In 2018, she joined the Avon, Connecticut Democratic Town Committee (DTC), bringing her business acumen and passion for public service into the political arena. In 2021, Eliza was elected Chairwoman of the Avon DTC, where she continues to spearhead local campaigns, mentor new leaders, and advocate for Democratic values in her community.
Recognizing the urgent need for more women in elected office, Eliza founded 818 Political, a consulting firm focused on recruiting, empowering, and electing qualified Democratic women at all levels of government. Through 818 Political, she provides strategic guidance, hands-on campaign management, and leadership development to candidates ready to step forward and lead.
Eliza holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Trinity College, Hartford and is a graduate of The Campaign School at Yale, an experience that further sharpened her political skills and cemented her commitment to creating pathways to leadership for women.
Today, whether through her work at 818 Political or her service as Chairwoman of the Avon DTC, Eliza remains deeply committed to building a future where every community is represented—and every voice is heard.
Co-Founder & Treasurer