1

ELLEN STORY

EASTHAMPTON - They make up half the population, but women account for only 17 percent of the elected officials in Congress.

While women are making strides in the political world - both the speaker of the house and secretary of state are women - there is a need for a larger female influence in Washington, D.C., and at the state level, according to organizers of the Leadership Institute for Political Impact, a new program that starts accepting applications from area women this weekend.

The institute is being put together by the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit in Easthampton that works for social and economic equity for women.

The institute will seek to give women in the four-county area access to workshops, mentors and seminars, with the goal of providing tools for participants to become civic leaders, community organizers advocates and politicians.

"Perhaps more than ever before, the issues of our society require the engagement of increased numbers of women representing our diverse communities," said Carla Oleska, chief executive officer of the Women's Fund, in a statement. "When women enter the political decision-making process, the perspective broadens and the conversation changes."

State Rep. Ellen S. Story, D-Amherst, said one of the biggest challenges to women in politics is that women often don't think of themselves as legislative leaders.

"They don't think of themselves in those roles. That's not how they picture themselves. It's certainly not something I considered when I was young," said Story, who became a state representative in 1992.

Story said women often find it difficult, at first, to solicit funds for their campaigns. They also tend to run for office to address a particular issue, like the environment or health care, as opposed to running to become a political leader.

A kickoff event for the institute will be held this weekend at Holyoke Community College and will feature keynote speaker Jennifer Lawless, director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University in Washington, D.C. Also on hand will be two panels of elected officials that include Ann Hamilton, the first female member of Greenfield's former Board of Selectmen, and current Greenfield Town Councilor Danielle Letourneau.

Following the event, applications for the 12-month institute will be available through the Women's Fund Web site, www.womensfund.net.

Story said the climate for women in politics is favorable. "Women tend to win as much as men do. They win in the same percentage," Story said. "The problem is they don't run."

Story applauded the institute's creation, adding that it should help to encourage women and counter stereotypes about women in politics.

The number of women in elected office has grown significantly in the last three decades, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

In 1979, women made up 3 percent of Congress members and 10 percent of state legislatures.

This year, women constitute 17 percent of Congress and 24 percent of state legislatures.

Story said that since Massachusetts was founded in the 1600s, only 165 women have been elected to the state Legislature.

Recorder reporter Mackenzie Issler contributed to this article.