‘Why not women?’

In 1920, when Suffragettes took to streets across America, U.S. women were finally given full voting rights under the 19th Amendment.

Later, when Betty Friedan published “The Feminine Mystique” in 1963, millions of women were prompted to look for fulfillment outside the confines of the term “homemaker.”

Then, as corporate America began to flourish, women left the home setting behind and flocked to the company setting.

There have been countless milestones since the 1920s, Katherine Aiken said. The University of Idaho emeritus professor of history of women and labor credits Hillary Rodham Clinton’s influential career path, the Clarence Thomas trials, President Donald Trump’s rise to power and social action like the #METOO movement.

From U.S. Senate to the state legislator and city councils to PTA presidents, women, nationally, are becoming part of a growing trend — filling political offices around the country.

In the U.S., 22 women hold seats in the Senate and 83 women hold seats in the House of Representatives. At the state level, women make up 25 percent of all state legislatures. Idaho women hold just over 30 percent of the state legislature.

Those numbers, however, could change in 2018. A record number of women are running for office in 2018, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. An unprecedented 575 women have declared to run for Congress and governorship, and even more are running for offices everywhere between.

 

Local beginnings

This growth does not stop at Idaho. The trend of women seeking office is on the rise in the state and on the Palouse.

But, the road to political leadership is not always easy for women in a historically conservative state, Aiken said.

“Idaho politics provide a tough landscape for women to travel,” Aiken said.

The hyperlocal level, Aiken said, is where many women break through, earning a spot among the political rankings to begin a long climb.

Aiken said it came as a shock that a majority of women were elected to Moscow City Council.

“This is Moscow in 2018 and it was a slightly unusual occurrence,” Aiken said. “This is very indicative of what a tough climate all this is.”

For many, climbing the political ladder begins in hometowns and for first-time female politicians — politicians like Brandy Sullivan.

Sullivan, a recently elected Moscow City Council member and one of the four women on the seven-person council, said her first steps in the political arena were small. The local business owner has stayed local with her politics.

“At this point, I’d say I’m proud that I stepped outside of my comfort zone to run for office,” Sullivan said. “It’s a reminder that some of the most interesting and fulfilling experiences in life come from pursuing a challenge that’s not comfortable.”

Comfort and ease, are not attributes Aiken would connect to politics, especially for women. She said Idaho politics proves that point well.

“Gracie Pfost — the first congressional member to represent Idaho — said ‘Any women in politics has to have the skin of a rhinoceros,’” Aiken said. “I think that’s indicative of what Idaho is for women.”

For Caroline Nilsson Troy, finding that thick skin took some time. The 5th District Idaho State Representative from Genesee, Idaho, now in her second term, said uncertainty fueled by male dominance in Idaho’s political sphere initially slowed her ability to her confidence.

“We have to work really hard to prove ourselves. We have to be really good 100 percent of the time,” Troy said. “Just finally, I’m feeling confident in my own right.”

Gina Taruscio, a Moscow City Council Member since 2016, said she sees women on the local level realizing how necessary their involvement is in relation to national politics.

“Women on the local and national level are figuring out that we can do this, too,” Taruscio said. “It has been a male-dominated sport for too long, and we are getting tired of it.”

Taruscio’s political beginnings started on the Palouse. It’s local politics, she said, that helps create the greatest representation in government.

Idaho has never elected a female U.S. Senator or female governor, Aiken said. These larger state positions, she said, are harder to gain when women often begin at lower levels than men.

Paulette Jordan, a North Idaho native and former Idaho State Representative, is looking to change those numbers by running for governor this year.

“Those are hard numbers to get up, but it only takes one person,” Aiken said.

Although she has seen strong growth in female political participation and engagement, Jordan said the state has a long trajectory toward full parity.

“The more that our state’s children – both boys and girls – see women occupying positions of

leadership and affecting change in Idaho, the more likely the next generation will be to elect

women into our highest offices,” Jordan said.

Before Jordan pushed forward with her campaign on the democratic ticket, she said she was

hesitant. After a conversation with her grandfather — a leader in the Coeur d’Alene tribe and one

of her closest mentors — Jordan said she felt confident enough to run.

It was a daunting task, she said. But one she was excited to take on.

“He told me I needed to run for governor — not just to represent our people in the Coeur d’Alene tribe, but to defend all Idahoans,” Jordan said.

Although the most recent national trends show women running for national political offices, rather than local, Troy said it is important to begin where women are most comfortable and climb from there.

“This is easier to do on a smaller scale than on a larger scale right off the bat,” Troy said. “It is very challenging to be in the political arena these days, but it is such a rewarding experience.”

Changing the political landscape

Regardless of party, Aiken said, Idaho’s small-town feel, but expansive geography can make it difficult for women to campaign, especially without the resources many of their male counterparts have.

“Idaho is a small enough state in population, that everyone can know everyone,” Aiken said. “You really have to pay attention to people in very local areas. Those aren’t always easy to reach.”

Vocalizing platforms and interests throughout Idaho presents a difficult challenge, Aiken said. But, Kelley Packer, a 28th District Republican Idaho State Representative running for lieutenant governor, said campaigning and growing a political presence is a challenge Idaho women are well-prepared to take on.

 

“We as women are finally encouraging and empowering other women to run,” Packer said. “We bring great perspective and insight, so we are finally reaching out an engaging.”

Female politicians often represent policies and stances that diverge from male interests, Aiken said. Policies on healthcare, safety and education are just a few stances Aiken said women most often champion.

These platforms, Aiken said, lend to a more progressive dialect, even in an overwhelmingly conservative state like Idaho.

“All of those policies fit traditionally within the female realm, and all of them have a progressive element to them,” Aiken said. “Even more conservative female politicians engage in this sort of dialogue.”

Packer said female politicians bring a different perspective to a table that is largely filled with men.

In her time as a representative, Packer said she knows how important it is to push through the “boys club” that can easily form in any male-dominated group. But, it is views from both men and women that broaden the discussion on Idaho and national politics.

“Women bring more empathy and understanding. They also bring a stronger desire to seek solutions to the major issues that continue to plague our State,” Packer said.

One of the most influential ways to bring women into Idaho politics to broaden that discussion Packer said, is to inspire and encourage them.

“The bulk of women in this political environment look to us,” Packer said. “It’s sink or swim sometimes, and you have to swim for everyone involved.”

Anne Zabala, the youngest female member of the Moscow City Council, said women are more open to voicing their opinions when they know they are motivated by other women — supported by other women.

“Regardless of our differences and the varying degrees to which we face hardship as women, our challenges are universal—and one of my biggest motivators for getting out of bed in the morning is holding out a hand behind me to support other women,” Zabala said. “I try to live by this value every day.”

Women helping women

Aiken said large and small political roles for women begin with women.

Hillary Clinton became the first woman to run for president on a major party ticket. Gracie Pfost became Idaho’s first congressional member. Anne Zabala became one of Moscow’s youngest female city council members. Paulette Jordan is running for the chance to become Idaho’s first female governor.

“It takes more than a first to really get us there,” Aiken said. “Firsts are important. But we need enough women in office that it doesn’t seem so unusual.”

Kathryn Bonzo, a member of the Moscow City Council, said many women have asked about the struggles and triumphs of being a female politician in Idaho. Bonzo said public servitude should be treated like any other endeavor, especially for prospective female politicians, “It has to ring true to you.”

“Dedicate yourself to the ideas and the people,” Bonzo said.

Aiken said the dedication to strengthening female voter registration since Trump took office has prompted females to begin thinking about entering politics.

Just as the last several years have produced more fervent engagement, Aiken said she believes more women will pursue political office in the long-term — beginning at the local level and working outward.

“With more women in office after this year, others will do things early in their lives and careers to prepare them for a place in politics,” Aiken said. “Women will find themselves more focused, more intent on the kinds of things that put a person into office.”

Troy said her career in politics began with women and has progressed because of women.

“Our sisters went ahead of us and paved the way,” Troy said. “When I first began, the line for the men’s restroom was longer than the line for the women’s restroom. I truly believe we are beginning to flip that now.”

In order to help change the lineup of women in politics, Troy said young women should seek advice from anyone and everyone they trust from the state house to the grocery store.

“If we work with one another, there is no way we can’t be a stronger voice,” Troy said.

For Packer, that stronger, communal female voice should come without hesitation.

“Rather than questioning why we shouldn’t run for office or be the leader in the room, we should ask ‘Why not you? Why not me?’” Packer said. “Why not women?”