In observance of Constitution Day on September 15, Harris-Stowe State University hosted a panel discussion about women in politics, featuring four local elected officials: St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson, St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer (20th Ward) and St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby (District 1).
“Do you believe this is the year of the woman in politics?” asked moderator Terry Daily-Davis, assistant dean of Arts and Sciences and chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harris Stowe.
“Every year is the year of the woman,” Thompson quickly answered. She said woman have always been in a position of leadership “that really started in the family and in the home.”
Thompson, who has served as president of the National Bar Association, said she grew up in a family where men respected women’s opinions.
“I don’t feel like just because we have a female running for president – who is a nominee now for a major political party – that it makes it ‘the year of the woman,’” Thompson said. “Every year that I live is year of the woman.”
Spencer agreed with the general point, but said the Clinton candidacy is important.
“I am not neutral,” Spencer said. “Yes, every year is year of the woman, but this year in particular we are going to elect our first female president.”
The general election, when Clinton faces Republican nominee Donald Trump, is Tuesday, November 8. The deadline to register to vote is October 12.
Clinton isn’t the only woman to be celebrated in U.S. politics this year. In April, Loretta Lynch became the first African-American woman and second woman to serve as U.S. attorney general. First Lady Michelle Obama was listed in Forbes as one of the 20 most powerful women in politics and in the world.
Erby is the first black woman to be elected to the St. Louis County Council. She said most of her colleagues on the council have a law background, but she does not.
“At first I thought it would be a real problem, because you’re dealing with legislation and contracts, but I really haven’t found it to be a real problem,” Erby said. The council, as well as other elected bodies, has staff lawyers who can explain legislation to elected officials. Erby said that she does not even have an undergraduate college degree, and neither did Charlie Dooley, the first black St. Louis County executive.
“I watched him,” Erby said of Dooley, “and used to think, ‘How does he know about all this stuff?’ but you learn.” Erby said it’s essential to “surround yourself with people who know what you don’t know.”
Jones advised students who are looking to pursue politics to find a mentor. Jones said she has served as a mentor to several people, including Cora Faith Walker, who recently won the Democratic nomination for a state House seat in Ferguson.
“Find a mentor, someone who can guide you through the process and help you open doors,” Jones said. “It’s one of the most joyous parts of my job, shepherding people as they run through the process.”
When the four panelists were asked to give advice to women inquiring about getting involved in politics, almost simultaneously, the four women answered, “Do it.”
Tierra Wilson, 21, a Harris-Stowe student in attendance, said the panel enlightened and encouraged her. She was surprised that not having a background in law would not hinder her from pursuing a future in politics.
“This really just enlightened me,” Wilson said, “that there’s room for more women in politics.”
This story is published as part of a partnership between The St. Louis American and The Huffington Post
