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Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 14:34:03 PM EDT
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If ever there was a time for women to take the spotlight in South Carolina politics, this is it. Between Rusty Depass' faux paux and Mark Sanford's zipper, you need to make a run for it ladies and start running things in the Palmetto State. According to the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics:
- South Carolina ranks 50th - last - in the nation in terms of women in public office. In the 2007-2008 Legislature, there are two women State Senators and 13 women members of the House of Representatives, meaning just 8.8% of the Legislature is female.
- Only one woman, Elizabeth Patterson (D), has ever been elected to Congress in her own right. She served in the US House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993.
- Only three women in South Carolina history have been elected to statewide office: Lt. Governor Nancy Stevenson (1979-1982), Superintendent of Education Barbara Nielsen (1991-1999), and Superintendent of Education Inez Tennebaum (1999-2007).
- Just two women are presidents of private colleges or universities, and women make up only 19% of the Boards of Trustees of public institutions.
Currently, there are zero female lawmakers in the South Carolina State Senate. If you still don't want to run, you can also work on someone's campaign. Either way, you are needed. Aside from contacting your county and state parties, the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics is a good place to start. The organization supports women on both sides of the aisle running for office, and they offer candidate workshops. Also, the Center for Women has a campaign workshop coming up just for you: |
| Atlas :: Run, Women, Run! |
Women in Political Office
A full-day workshop for women who want to run for elected office or plan to be part of a campaign. Learn from women who are part of the political establishment and those who have successfully run for office. South Carolina needs more women in political office! This is your chance to explore the process and learn from women who have run.
Workshops Include:
•Fundamentals of Running a Campaign (including fundraising)
•Pathways to Politics: Judgeships, Boards & Commissions
•Working with Your Political Party
•Using the Internet & Technology to Your Political Advantage
•Speaking from Experience: Hear How Four Women Raced & Won!
Registration Required: $50 for members of sponsored organizations | $85 others. Go to http://www.facebook.com/l/;www... or call (843) 763-7333.
Sponsored by: Center for Partnerships to Improve Education, College of Charleston, Center for Women, Junior League of Charleston, League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area, and SC Women's Connection/Clemson Extension Service
Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Education Building, College of Charleston, 25 St. Phillip Street
Other resouces for future candidates and campaign staffers: The Women's Campaign School at Yale Emily's List: Campaign Corp Camp Wellstone |
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