I can’t lie. I was just a little bit excited about attending Campaign College at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, since the institution is my alma mater. Instead of showing my school pride by regularly watching ESPN basketball, I had the opportunity through Campaign College to engage women on the campus in all the opportunities of student government leadership.
Campaign College at UConn was made possible through the dedication of the folks from the UConn Women’s Center, student liaison Nisha Wali, and members of AAUW of Connecticut. Plus, the Women’s Center organized a planning committee to build support across the community.
Denise Nappier
Connecticut’s state treasurer, Denise L. Nappier opened the training in the morning. An outstanding role model, Nappier was the first African American in the country elected to that office. She said the greatest barrier in her initial campaign was the misperception of her abilities. Nappier, who said that didn’t make much sense to her, pointedly asked the audience, “Who balances the books in your household?”
Participants also heard from State Rep. Mae Flexer and East Haven Mayor April Capone-Almon, two of the youngest women political leaders in Connecticut, who reiterated the points I made in my presentation about why women don’t run for political office. Rep. Flexer, who had always worked “behind the scenes” in politics, did not think of running until she worked at the state capitol and saw men her age considering political office.
Connecticut state Rep. Mae Flexer
Mayor Capone-Almon referred to an oft-heard assertion that women are not qualified to run for political office and assured the students, “If you care about your town, and you want to do the right thing, you are qualified to run.”
Regrouping after luncheon roundtable discussions, participants also heard from three former women UConn executive officers: Amy Woodward Favrerau (UConn class of 1999), Julia Simons (class of 2004), and Liz Ehrhardt Gandza (class of 1999). Each shared lessons learned from their roles in student government and indicated that many of the skills from their UConn positions, such as consensus building, transfer to the workplace after college. Liz, in particular, felt her student experience prepared her for any boss she ever will have.
April Capone-Almon, mayor of East Haven, Connecticut.
Participants learned the rules of running for office, the daily responsibilities of student government officers, and how to create campaign messages. Braving the cold, they also headed outside to solicit votes from fellow students.
Amy Holland won the most votes during the campaign simulation exercise.
Campaign College speakers Amy Woodward Favrerau, Julia Simons, and Liz Ehrhardt Gandza.
Thanks to UConn for making me proud! We look forward to many of these young women pursuing student government offices. Go Huskies!
AAUW Dialog 