Political event leaves some students feeling 'confused'
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News
By Kathleen Brown
More than 100 students attended the panel discussion "Electing Women in South Carolina: Why is it Important?" on March 25 in Plowden. The one-hour cultural event featuring five women involved in state and local politics was meant to educate, but some students said they left feeling confused.
"I really felt that some of the speakers were only here to advertise their businesses and organizations," said Jessica Blalock, a freshman athletic training major. "There definitely could have been more information on why we should encourage women to run for office."
The panel board consisted of Laurie Funderburk, representative from the South Carolina House District 52; Kathy Pender, Rock Hill City Council member; Elizabeth Smith, associate professor of political sceince at Furman Universityabeth Smith; Donna Dewitt, president of the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics; and Cherie Mabrey, head of the Charlotte and Rock Hill area Democratic Party.
The event was sponsored by the West Forum, a nonpartisan and nonprofit civic leadership program that encourages students to become involved in state and local politics.
According to a Winthrop press release about the event, South Carolina ranks last in regards to women's involvement in politics. Only 17 of 124 legislators are women, and no females currently serve in the S.C. Senate.
Each panelists presented her specific platform before taking questions during the 15-minute group discussion time.
The panelists gave statistics and information on women's participation in politics and the adverse effects of the low representation.
"Women choose to not run for office, not because of sexism or lack of funds, but because they believe they are not qualified," Smith said during her presentation.
She also stated that without the involvement of women in politics issues such as domestic homicide and infant mortality would remain untouched.
However, representative Funderburk disagreed.
More than 100 students attended the panel discussion "Electing Women in South Carolina: Why is it Important?" on March 25 in Plowden. The one-hour cultural event featuring five women involved in state and local politics was meant to educate, but some students said they left feeling confused.
"I really felt that some of the speakers were only here to advertise their businesses and organizations," said Jessica Blalock, a freshman athletic training major. "There definitely could have been more information on why we should encourage women to run for office."
The panel board consisted of Laurie Funderburk, representative from the South Carolina House District 52; Kathy Pender, Rock Hill City Council member; Elizabeth Smith, associate professor of political sceince at Furman Universityabeth Smith; Donna Dewitt, president of the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics; and Cherie Mabrey, head of the Charlotte and Rock Hill area Democratic Party.
The event was sponsored by the West Forum, a nonpartisan and nonprofit civic leadership program that encourages students to become involved in state and local politics.
According to a Winthrop press release about the event, South Carolina ranks last in regards to women's involvement in politics. Only 17 of 124 legislators are women, and no females currently serve in the S.C. Senate.
Each panelists presented her specific platform before taking questions during the 15-minute group discussion time.
The panelists gave statistics and information on women's participation in politics and the adverse effects of the low representation.
"Women choose to not run for office, not because of sexism or lack of funds, but because they believe they are not qualified," Smith said during her presentation.
She also stated that without the involvement of women in politics issues such as domestic homicide and infant mortality would remain untouched.
However, representative Funderburk disagreed.
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