Elect Her–Alabama Women Win participants are now armed with the tools they need to be campus leaders!
Last weekend at University of Alabama’s Elect Her – Campus Women Win training, women gathered to build their network and resources. Elect Her is a training program that encourages and trains young women to run for student government. This is the second year UA has hosted Elect Her and some of the students returned from last year.
“The training this year was very informational, and I really appreciated the supportive network that we established,” said Sydney Page, sophomore and SGA Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. This year was Page’s second time to attend Elect Her and she worked to encourage students to run for SGA.
“Last year through Elect Her, I gained two people who helped me on my campaign and I did have the most votes out of my college or any senator elected, which was the first time that had happened in about 20 years. Particularly for myself being an African American female.” Page plans to seek reelection for her SGA Senate seat this year.
Throughout the day, students discussed the unique challenges they face to run for SGA at UA. They were inspired by speakers and exercises to realize that despite the odds they can run for SGA.
“If not me than who?” asked Kelly Horwitz, Tuscaloosa School Board Member. She shared her journey to elected office with the women at Elect Her. Ms. Horwitz moved to Tuscaloosa from Los Angeles. She described how even though being in a new community she was able to build her network and find a position and district that she could truly represent.
The training worked to inspire women to understand that their voice is greatly needed in SGA at the University of Alabama. Currently the legislative branch of UA , the Senate, has about a 50/50 male to female ratio; however, they only have one Latino and two African American students.
Sydney Page offers some advice to her fellow students: “It can be done. We need to have more women, more diverse groups, more people from different social backgrounds on campus to come into SGA and make it truly representative of the students here at this University.” Page was one of the winners of the campaign simulation exercise.
Kacy Simon was another student who will most likely run for office someday. She said, “Your network is really important. Make sure you have strong people behind you like your family and friends before you go into something.”
Whether you’re from Alabama or out of state, greek or non-greek, a woman or a member of another minority group, you can and should run for SGA at the University of Alabama. It is only when people have the courage to take risks that change is truly possible.
This post was written by She Should Run Programs Director Julie Daniels
AAUW Dialog 
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