Join the effort to elect more North Dakota women to office

This piece ran in the Fargo Forum on August 26th, 2011.
By Amy Jacobson, WEW Chair

Forty years ago, the United States Congress declared August 26th “Women’s Equality Day.” This day commemorates the women who fought for the right to vote but also serves as a “symbol of the continued fight for equal rights”.  Well if women can vote and hold public office, what else is left to fight for, you might ask. A little review of our state’s history can paint that picture.

There is No Such Thing as a 'Typical' Candidate

Women Electing Women (WEW) seeks female candidates who are:

• Passionate
• Smart, bright and capable
• Approachable, accessible and friendly
• Hardworking
• Confident
• Open minded

And who value:

• Equality
• Hardwork
• Inclusiveness
• Integrity

Startling Statistics for Women's Leadership in North Dakota

•  1 woman holds state-wide office in North Dakota.
• 15% of the North Dakota Legislature is women.
• Women hold less that 1% of County Commission seats across North Dakota
• 0% of Fargo City Commissioners are women.
• 0% of West Fargo City Commissioners are women.
• 40% of Fargo Park Board are women.
• 60% of West Fargo Park Board are women.
• 72% of the West Fargo School Board are women.
• 44% of the Fargo School Board are women.