State Sen. Ellie Kinnaird and Carrboro Alderman Randee Haven-O'Donnell offered advice to young women aspiring to political office at Duke's first Women in Politics Conference this weekend.
Martha Reeves, a visiting professor in women's studies and sociology, organized the conference, hosted in the East Duke Building Friday and Saturday, which focused on encouraging local young women to participate in politics and seek more leadership roles.
Approximately 25 women from Duke and neighboring North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, Bennett College for Women and Peace College, as well as young professionals, came to the conference wanting to learn more about the different routes for finding a place in politics.
"We want to run for political office, but we just don't know how," said NCCU senior Patricia Oliver, who aspires to run for North Carolina Senate.
Barbara Ferris, founder and president of the International Women's Democracy Center in Washington, D.C., led a workshop that focused on campaigning, network and coalition building, voter outreach, candidate presentation and media relations.
Only six women are currently in the North Carolina Senate, and Ferris and Reeves said they hope to make representation between the sexes even by the year 2020.
"Here at Duke, we have lots of women who are potential leaders but tend to think a little small in terms of what their capabilities are," Reeves said. "I wanted to put this workshop on to encourage young women that they are just as prepared as men and give them the confidence so that they can shoot for bigger leadership positions."
The goal of the workshop was to give each participant "the tools and skills to effectively engage in leadership positions," Ferris said.
"What I found most useful is the information that [Ferris] is sharing with us and the encouraging words that we can be successful, can run an effective campaign and can be effective in leadership positions," said NCCU senior Shaundrelle Watson.
The workshops also focused on female political figures such as Sen. Hillary Clinton.
When asked about Clinton's portrayal in the media, Ferris noted that there was a difference in media treatment for President-elect Barack Obama and Clinton.
"There was a difference in reporting, where the reporters zoomed in on ridiculous things instead of the issues," Ferris said.
In an interview, Kinnaird said she was not convinced that Clinton would be the best secretary of state.
"I feel that she could have been more effective had she remained in the Senate where she could have worked her health care plan," Kinnaird said. "She could have done so much and been so influential had she stayed, and she could have been ready to go for the presidency."
The status of a second Women in Politics conference is up in the air and will depend on student interest, Reeves said.
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