Public Office Needs Women Leaders

Mayor Helene Schneider
Mayor Helene Schneider

Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider first ran for public office in 2003 when she realized that she wanted to be the person making the decisions, not the person asking City Council to make them. Her first position was as a city councilwoman and now she is in her second term as mayor. Although her recent run for the US Congress was unsuccessful, she was glad she did it. She knew it was going to be a tough race as the only woman among nine candidates. But she was also the only candidate to bring up the problem of sexual assault on college campuses, which she sees not just as a women’s issue, but as a central issue affecting students’ success. A woman’s role in public forums is to bring out the issues that other candidates are not talking about. The conversation brings them into the open and expresses the need for positive action—the same reason she wanted to participate in this interview.

Why More Women Don’t Run for Office

Helene stresses that having only 19% women in the US Congress creates lopsidedness in legislation and a lack of diversity that hinders good governing. She gives two basic reasons for the lack of women in office. First of all is the link between money and politics. When men run for office, the doors are opened and they are given a fundraising machine to help them win their seat. When women run, doors are opened, but the women are expected to set up their own fundraising and take it from there. Women don’t give money to other women as readily as men do to other men. The second reason is “making the perfect get in the way of the good.” She cites the current presidential race as an example. When a woman makes a mistake along the way, it is held in the forefront, creating a hurdle for her to get beyond, while all the good she has accomplished gets buried beneath the negative dialogue.

Power in Women Leaders

Helene says that no one is leader by herself. They need a group and coalition to lead. Those people play their role as part of the group, so it’s a two-way process of leadership and support with everyone working for the greater good. Girls in this country aren’t brought up that way. The competition between them actually reduces their power. Change the system to one of support and everyone becomes more powerful.
A leader creates power by recognizing the talents in others. Rather than being a task master who delegates, a really good leader harnesses the diversity of the group and supports each member’s unique strengths. Helene uses “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” as an example of how this works. Buffy always called on her friends to help and in the final episode, Buffy gave away her super powers to all of the other slayers. When you allow others to become part of the collective goal, you release the most powerful force.

More Information about Issues and Women’s Leadership

Listen to this conversation to hear Helene’s complete story about her introduction to women’s reproductive issues through her association with Planned Parenthood and concern about recruiting and retaining employees for Central California and much more. She and Dr. Nancy discuss why women make excellent leaders and how diversity affects the outcomes of community service.

 

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