The push for more balanced representation of women in public policy has been moving ahead, but statistics show there is still room for progress. The Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life is working to be the forefront of the push for progress. The organization supports and educates women to run a successful campaign.
The institute held a two-evening campaign training program titled “Pipeline to Local Office” on Jan. 26 and Jan. 28 in the JC Penney Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The workshop was designed for women interested in running for municipal offices and volunteering with a campaign. Topics included how to target likely voters, developing skills for successful speaking and learning how to fundraise successfully. Speakers were present to share their experience and insights of the political campaign process.
Manager of the Sue Shear Institute, Dayna Stocks explained the important role women play in public policy, and the need for more women to enter leadership positions and the campaign trails. “Women have a lot to offer to the political process, we need more women to run, we need them to bring their voices and their perspectives,” Stocks said.
Sue Shear was a Clayton woman in her 50s when she decided to run for an open seat in the Missouri legislature in 1972. She is seen as a pioneer who defied the odds against her. The Missouri Board of Curators voted to name the institute after her in recognition of her service. “The goal of the institute is to make women’s voices heard so the policy of which we live under is representative of everyone’s ideas,” Rhiannon Reynolds, administrative aid to the institute, said.
Men exceedingly outnumber women in all levels of public policy, and this is a trend the institute is working to change. Women held 17 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate and 75 of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. Stocks explained how the incumbency effect had made it more difficult for woman to take offices in Congress. “Historically, positions have been held by men and when someone is in office for several years it’s unlikely for a woman to challenge and defeat the incumbent,” Stocks said.
Founded in 1996, the Sue Shear Institute uses education to help women overcome inner and external barriers so that they can fully participate in public policy. “The institute is bi-partisan; we don’t support democrats or republicans,” Reynolds said. Past participants who went on to become elected officials include Stacey Newman, State Representative ‘09 and Donna Jones, St. Louis School Board ‘06 along with dozens of others.
The institute offers many opportunities for students to take advantage of. The 21st Century Leadership Training Academy is a week long program held at the Pierre Laclede Honors College on the UM-St. Louis campus. “Every single day I spent at the 21st Century Leadership academy made me stronger and wiser in so many ways,” Lily Stomboly, former leadership academy participant, said. Scholarships are available from the institute and applications can be found by contacting the Sue Shear Institute or visiting their website at www.umsl.edu/~iwpl.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.