Washington was the first state in the country to elect women to serve in its three highest political offices at the same time, and women still hold both U.S. Senate seats and the governorship to this day. Western Washington University is taking that statewide enthusiasm for women’s leadership and bringing it to their campus.
The Associated Students (AS) at WWU recognized a lack of women within their own student government, so they applied to host Elect Her–Campus Women Win. During our lunch, state Rep. Kristine Lytton told her story about running for office. Lytton admitted that “it wasn’t easy campaigning against three other men for my position.” She also addressed the personal harassment she has encountered and told the students just to wake up every morning and say, “I can do it!”
After lunch, AS held a panel to discuss the upcoming student government elections. Western graduate and past board member Kayla Britt, sole woman AS board member Alisha Beck, and AS Elections Coordinator Remy Levin provided a step-by-step guide to the elections process. Beck shared that “the board became my family and, being the only woman, these guys became my brothers.” But she says she certainly wants more women to run to join her!
Anne Martens, a communications professional who works for Fuse and the Win/Win Network, joined the group in the afternoon to lead a discussion about campaign speeches. Martens provided the basics, encouraging students to use their skills and make memorable points to potential voters. She told the women that “having a catchy tagline isn’t everything.” Martens described how you need to make sure your 15-second speech makes a statement about what you stand for, not just what sounds good.
The day ended with a campaign simulation, when the students held a mock election. The winner was Maria del Rosario Corona Horta. She is very passionate about immigration issues and undocumented students’ rights to pursue higher education. I wouldn’t be surprised if Horta’s name is on the ballot for this year’s AS elections.
In addition to its student government, the university has a unique organizational structure with the Women’s Center, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Alliance, and the Veterans’ Outreach Center, all of which are led by students with no professional staff. Western may only have one woman on the board right now, but this spring I foresee a number of women running for positions!
The Elect Her – WWU Women Win was sponsored by the Mooneen Lecce Giving Circle. The Mooneen Lecce Giving Circle provides support for programs that advance equity for women and girls. The members of the circle donate in memory of longtime AAUW member from California who died in 2002.
This post was written by NASPA Assistant Director of Educational Programs and Foundation Coordinator Danielle Howard.
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