R.I. female leaders express need for women in office
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LINCOLN, R.I. -- Rhode Island's female leaders -- 27 elected officials in all -- Democrats, independents, one Republican, town office holders, a tribal council member, state representatives, and the lieutenant governor gathered in Lincoln Thursday night for a message that was part "You go, girl," and part rallying call. "We need more women in politics and government and we need to support each other," Deborah L. Perry, YWCA Northern Rhode Island executive director, said to the more than 130 women at the Women's History Month observance. Keynote speaker Victoria A Budson, founder and executive director of the Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School, said that at 17 percent, the United States lags behind Rwanda, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as many European nations, in the percentage of women in national elected office. Budson called on all those present to seek elected office or support others who do so, and cited the research of Brown University political science professor Jennifer Lawless, which Budson said shows that when women run, they are elected as often as men. Budson said women should seek office not simply because of equality, but because of the bread-and-butter issues they prioritize that appeal to female as well as male voters. "This is a matter of, who is at the table defines the reality that is looked at," Budson said. Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, the state's top-ranking female elected official, underscored the need for more women to become involved in the political process in Rhode Island. "You thought I would be here talking about health care, but I'm here talking about supporting women running for office," Roberts said. "Without more women in politics and government, someone else will always be speaking for us, if anyone speaks up at all," Perry said in a news release Friday morning. "Last night's event was a rally call for women to come together, support one another, and become part of the political process." The event was emceed by Reza Clifton and included a performance by spoken word artist Hannah Claire Resseger and presentations by Sandy Riojas. The event at Kirkbrae Country Club brought together a network of women advocating for the advancement of women in Rhode Island. It was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island, the Center for Women and Enterprise and the Rhode Island Commission on Women. Rhode Island's female elected office holders in attendance: Mia Ackerman, Cumberland Town Council 
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These events are so important. Women are 51% of our population and yet have only 17% representation. Perry is right - women do need to participate politically in all aspects of government - locally and nationally.
Thank you to all our current female elected officials. Thank you to all women who have run for office in the past. Thank you to all women who have served. Thank you to all women in all their ways of participation including in obtaining the right to vote. We have such a short history and Women's History Month celebrates you!
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This was a great event that honored the women who make things happen in Rhode Island. We need to continually work to make sure that more women are represented at all levels of government- thank you to the courageous women who have stepped up to have a voice!
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Hopefully events like this will inspire other women to get involved. Starting is the most important thing. Sitting on a school board or city council in your own community, or a state government board or commission, allows you to get your feet wet gradually, so you can build you confidence.
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Hopefully events like this will inspire other women to get involved. Starting is the most important thing. Sitting on a school board or city council in your own community, or a state government board or commission, allows you to get your feet wet gradually, so you can build you confidence.
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Sorry I could not be there to share such a wonderful and very important evening. Thanks to all the special women who have made “History” happen for us, we celebrate your success.
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Sorry I could not be there to share such a wonderful and very important evening. Thanks to all the special women who have made “History” happen for us, we celebrate your success.
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I am extremely glad to have attended such a wonderful event. I am inspired to get more women involved in all areas that impact us. Being the leader of a female specific organization gives me an opportunity to educate female staff, Big and Little Sisters and community members on important issues for women. Thank you to all the extraordinary women of Rhode Island who are leading the way in public office and by example!
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I am extremely glad to have attended such a wonderful event. I am inspired to get more women involved in all areas that impact us. Being the leader of a female specific organization gives me an opportunity to educate female staff, Big and Little Sisters and community members on important issues for women. Thank you to all the extraordinary women of Rhode Island who are leading the way in public office and by example!
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I am extremely glad to have attended such a wonderful event. I am inspired to get more women involved in all areas that impact us. Being the leader of a female specific organization gives me an opportunity to educate female staff, Big and Little Sisters and community members, on important issues for women. Thank you to all the extraordinary women of Rhode Island who are leading the way in public office and by example!
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RI needs to create gender balance in all public forums. The General Assembly and the parties are great with words and have yet to be achieve balance initiatives in action. I trust they will meet the challenge for gender neautrality and balance. Quadriple your efforts and we will accomplish this goal.
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