Female Politicians Inspire Students

RALEIGH - Women ruled the night as students at Peace College, an all-girls school in Raleigh, gathered Monday night to hear female political candidates express their views of government in North Carolina.

Thirteen women, both political incumbents and first-year office seekers, shared their political experiences with about 30 Peace College students and encouraged each of the students to advance themselves and their gender in state government.

"This is a good way for our students and other women in the community to understand what it is like to be a woman candidate," said Melissa Allen, Peace College media relations manager. "Women are still in the minority, and we are trying to focus on their advancement."

The candidates shared with the mostly female audience how they each have contributed to breaking gender barriers in N.C. government.

N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said she was the first woman to hold a statewide office in North Carolina.

"I have transformed the secretary of state office by making more information available to every citizen of the state," Marshall said. "We serve more citizens online than by mail, phone or walk-in."

Marshall said she implemented the agency's Web site to inform a wide range of the state's citizens, especially women.

But the candidates said they do not want special treatment in North Carolina because of their gender.

"I never want to get something because I am female," said Republican candidate Nancy Brown, who is running for an N.C. House seat in Wake County. "I expect to get something because I am qualified."

Many of the women candidates voiced ways to eliminate pay inequity between men and women in the same jobs.

"You have to confront discrimination when it happens," said Wake County Commissioner Yevonne Brannon, a Democrat.

Despite the challenges facing female political candidates, some women in the audience said they were inspired by the speakers.

"I feel more inspired as a woman knowing that they all have a good idea of what we want and what we are about," said Peace College junior Allison Moore of Wendell.

"We all have to expect changes."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.

RALEIGH - Women ruled the night as students at Peace College, an all-girls school in Raleigh, gathered Monday night to hear female political candidates express their views of government in North Carolina.

Thirteen women, both political incumbents and first-year office seekers, shared their political experiences with about 30 Peace College students and encouraged each of the students to advance themselves and their gender in state government.

"This is a good way for our students and other women in the community to understand what it is like to be a woman candidate," said Melissa Allen, Peace College media relations manager. "Women are still in the minority, and we are trying to focus on their advancement."

The candidates shared with the mostly female audience how they each have contributed to breaking gender barriers in N.C. government.

N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said she was the first woman to hold a statewide office in North Carolina.

"I have transformed the secretary of state office by making more information available to every citizen of the state," Marshall said. "We serve more citizens online than by mail, phone or walk-in."

Marshall said she implemented the agency's Web site to inform a wide range of the state's citizens, especially women.

But the candidates said they do not want special treatment in North Carolina because of their gender.

"I never want to get something because I am female," said Republican candidate Nancy Brown, who is running for an N.C. House seat in Wake County. "I expect to get something because I am qualified."

Many of the women candidates voiced ways to eliminate pay inequity between men and women in the same jobs.

"You have to confront discrimination when it happens," said Wake County Commissioner Yevonne Brannon, a Democrat.

Despite the challenges facing female political candidates, some women in the audience said they were inspired by the speakers.

"I feel more inspired as a woman knowing that they all have a good idea of what we want and what we are about," said Peace College junior Allison Moore of Wendell.

"We all have to expect changes."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.