Women’s History and Local Government
March is Women’s History Month, so I’d like to recognize the contributions of women in local government and civic engagement.
When most people think of women in politics, they tend to focus on national figures. But, as I always preach, real change starts locally, and women have been leading the way in their communities long before we were guaranteed the right to vote in 1920. (More on the 19th amendment in a later post).
Take Susanna Madora Salter. In 1887, she was the first woman elected as mayor in the U.S. thirty three years before women were guaranteed the vote nationwide! Her victory in Argonia, Kansas paved the way for women to lead in towns and cities across the country. And here is a fun fact: She did not even set out to run for office. In fact, she was unaware she was on the ballot at all. Her name had been placed on a slate of candidates as a stunt by a group of men thinking they would secure a high-profile and embarrassing loss that would humiliate women and discourage them from participation in politics. Whether or not her win was deliberate or a mistake is still up for debate.
Regardless, a hundred and thirty eight years later, women make up just 32% of mayors in U.S. cities. Obviously, there is still work to do because women in decision-making positions can greatly affect citizen engagement and public policy outcomes. The data on gender representation at the local level suggest that women tend to favor more human-centered policies on school boards, are seen as better communicators than their male counterparts, interact with constituents more often, and are thought to be more collaborative with their colleagues. Citizens participate in more public meetings presided over by women mayors than men mayors, and public meetings are recognized to be more inclusive and welcoming to all with women mayors. Women are seen as including citizens in the decision-making process more often. Women mayors also increase women’s municipal employment and funding for social services.
So how can we increase representation? Here are a few ways.
Support and mentor women in leadership- Encourage young girls and women to get involved in local government.
Vote in local elections- When elected, women tend to vote for policies that positively impact women, children, and communities. So, support good canddiates.
Learn about effective mayors who lead with compassion and get results.
Tishaura Jones is the mayor of St. Louis. Jones has been recognized for her proactive approach to reducing violent crime. Under her leadership, the city reported a 21% decrease in homicides and a 50% reduction in youth violence between 2022 and 2023.
In 2021, Michelle Wu became the first woman and person of color elected as mayor of Boston. Her tenure has been marked by initiatives aimed at combating climate change, improving public transportation, and promoting affordable housing.
And Esther Manheimer has served as the mayor of Asheville, North Carolina for over a decade. Last year, Asheville faced significant challenges due to Hurricane Helene, which caused unprecedented damage in the region. Mayor Manheimer exemplifies resilience and dedication, guiding her city through both challenges and achievements.
Women have always been at the heart of civic engagement. Let’s keep the momentum going, not just in March, but all year long.
