The US ranks 84th in the world for women's political involvement

[FayeforCure]

Women hold only 17% of the seats in Congress.

Less than 25% of state-elected legislators and officials are women.

Of our 50 governors, only 6 are women.

Here in Jax women are making "giant leaps"?

Hoping we have our first woman mayor soon.........Maybe even get our first female State governor: Go Alex, Go Paula!!!

Women step to the forefront in First Coast leadership
Submitted by Abel Harding on Sun, 12/20/2009 - 00:33.

In 1992, after the female membership of the U.S. Senate tripled from two to six, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., reacted somewhat negatively to the oft-repeated phrase, “Year of the Woman.”

“Calling 1992 the 'Year of the Woman,’ ” Mikulski told members of the press corps, “makes it sound like the 'Year of the Caribou’ or the 'Year of the Asparagus.’ We’re not a fad, fancy, or a year.”

Mikulski was right, of course. The election of 1992 merely laid the foundation for the heightened role that women have come to play in the nation’s capital. Eighteen years later, 2010 is  shaping up to be just that kind of milestone year in Jacksonville.

For the first time in Jacksonville’s history, women will chair the boards of three of the city’s four independent agencies â€" JEA, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce will also be headed by a woman, and a Jacksonville woman will chair the Florida Transportation Commission.

Now, to be sure, none of these women are new to public service. All have previously served on boards or commissions, but this is the first time (other than a brief period when women held a one-seat majority on the City Council) that women have held such consequential positions around the city.

“We’ve all been diligently working in these fields,” said Marty Lanahan, who recently took over as chair of the Florida Transportation Commission, which serves as the citizen’s oversight board for the Florida Department of Transportation. “This is simply a product of hard work.”

Lanahan, the North Florida area executive for Regions Financial Corp., has a resume that reads like a public service catalogue. She’s served on JEA’s board, the Cultural Council and the Florida Theatre, among numerous others.

Cynthia Austin, an attorney in private practice who chairs  JEA, says she’s excited to see more women in positions of prominence.

“The inclusion of women is not really a thought anymore,” Austin said. “Instead, officials ask, 'Who is best equipped to handle this role?’ Fortunately, there are plenty of women with the ability to step forward.”

Deborah Pass-Durham, who chairs the board of JAA, says any perception of a glass ceiling no longer holds true. The mother of a 3-month old, Durham says finding balance is always a challenge, but that her public service commitments energize her.

Attorney Ava Parker has had years of experience with the Public Service Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation. She recently  took the chair for JTA.

“Leadership,” Parker said, “has an obligation to ensure that public boards represent the populace that they serve, and as women, we can add a valuable perspective.”

Kelly Madden, the incoming chairwoman of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, certainly faces challenges in her new role. Madden, a regional president of Wachovia, a Wells Fargo company , says economic development and retaining the Jacksonville Jaguars are her top concerns for the coming year.

“We have got to retain every job we can in this region and create new opportunities,” Madden said. “Keeping the Jaguars here is a big part of that mission.”

Coincidentally, the coming year will also feature at least one woman vying for the city’s top job. Audrey Moran, a former assistant state attorney, became the first candidate to file for the March 2011 mayor’s race. Her candidacy marks the first time in Jacksonville history that a woman has emerged in the top tier of mayoral candidates.

One thing is for sure: All of these women have worked hard to get where they are. And that’s a point that Pass-Durham made clear.

“The achievements of this group,” she said, “stand on their merit alone, whether male or female.”

It’s a perfectly valid point, but it’s worth recognizing that this isn’t your grandmother’s Jacksonville.

Progress is a marvelous thing.



abel.harding@jacksonville.com

(904) 359-4184

Follow me on Twitter @AbelHarding

http://jacksonville.com/interact/blog/abel_harding/2009-12-20/women_step_to_the_forefront_in_first_coast_leadership

Are we ready for more progress?

[Jason]

Does it really matter?  If a woman is more qualified than a man then let's go for it.

Honestly, sex has no bearing on my vote, only qualifications and capabilities do.

[reednavy]

Look at Houston, they elected an openly gay woman as mayor.

[Bostech]

Women should not be voted just because they are women,but based on some kind of qualification...good at lying,promising things,connections with mafia etc.

[Ocklawaha]

Definitely ready for a woman for mayor!

YEP! As long as it's someone who knows the difference between sensible commuter rail and high speed rat trains. I wouldn't hurt to have a progressive view on mass transit and critical eye toward BRT.

You know we're 84Th, because middle age white men, like Lakelander, have held them back!

OCKLAWAHA

[Sportmotor]

We run into the problem we are actually fighting (ironically enough) the 'old ways'.

Old traditional voting and politics are still to strong in this country that's why its such a bastard of a fight to change things for equality. For everyone regardless of who you are.

Religion is to strong in politics even tho there is suppose to be a separation of church and state, there isn't. That is one of the biggest problems I see in this country.

[FayeforCure]

We run into the problem we are actually fighting (ironically enough) the 'old ways'.

Old traditional voting and politics are still to strong in this country that's why its such a bastard of a fight to change things for equality. For everyone regardless of who you are.

Religion is to strong in politics even tho there is suppose to be a separation of church and state, there isn't. That is one of the biggest problems I see in this country.

I agree. The GOP's turn to the right in recent years hasn't helped:



http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/11/republicans-far-behind-on-women.html


The US used to be quite advanced, but we've fallen far behind even third world countries on women in leadership!

Here is an older chart that still shows the US in 70th place, vs our current 85th ranking:

[mtraininjax]

Abel - You have yet to cover basket weaving as a sport for the Olympics. Your involvement at the TU seems very planned by others. Your readers would like some new harder hitting topics than these softballs. Perhaps 2010 will bring you a set.

[BridgeTroll]

I agree Faye... It is time for women to step it up.

[Sportmotor]

atleast if a women was presedent now, our troops could wage war the way it needs to be done and without being politcally correct...atleast once a month XD

[buckethead]

Women don't need to be politically active. They have husbands for that.

[Sportmotor]

Buckethead in 2010'

[FayeforCure]

I agree Faye... It is time for women to step it up.

BT, we finally agree on something!

[Ocklawaha]

That's all it is BT, someone has to step up, no barriers exist... NONE! Quite simply grow a pair, get in the fight, and FIGHT it out. (oop's there I go, pissing Faye off again!)

OCKLAWAHA
middle aged, male, WASP

[Dog Walker]

I think you almost have to be a testosterone jazzed, pain junkie to run for public office now.  Most women have too much sense.