It\u2019s election season and early voting is available in most states.\u00a0 As I continue my life\u2019s work to mentor women and guide each to achieve her own personal \u201cHigh Heeled Success,\u201d I\u2019m hearing about more and more women running for office and engaging in the political process.\u00a0 This inspires me!<\/p>\n
This year is the 97th<\/sup> anniversary of Women\u2019s Suffrage \u2013 women\u2019s right to vote in the United States of America.\u00a0 Women, it has not been that long, which is why it\u2019s no surprise that women hold roughly 20 percent of elected positions at the federal, state and local levels.\u00a0 And now, women are running for public office in record numbers.<\/p>\n Politics and women in public office is a mirror of the workplace and the rest of society.\u00a0 There is definitely a gender bias when women run for office.\u00a0 Women are not asked as frequently as men if they would consider taking on the challenge.\u00a0 Women tend to think they\u2019re not qualified enough, which is a problem men rarely have.\u00a0 It\u2019s harder for women to raise the funds needed to run a campaign.\u00a0 These issues are the same, whether we\u2019re talking about politics or the workplace.<\/p>\n Just as you face challenges in the workplace, you will experience similar challenges as you take on the political process.\u00a0 Remember, however, the risks are worth the rewards.\u00a0 At any given time, reassess your risk for seeking a political appointment or running for election.\u00a0 In other words, what do you have to lose?<\/p>\n Please don\u2019t be afraid of rocking the boat.\u00a0 Remember, the women rocking the boat nearly 100 years ago were the ones who earned us the right to vote in this country.\u00a0 When you stand up for yourself in traditionally male-dominated groups, you run the risk of being perceived as overbearing or nasty.\u00a0 As long as you assess your risk and think it all through, you\u2019ll be in good shape.<\/p>\n I also encourage you to support each other in political endeavors.\u00a0 Men certainly support each other and help each other all the time.\u00a0 Just like in the workplace, we need to do also do that in the political realm.<\/p>\n For example, help amplify other women and lift them up.\u00a0 When another woman puts an idea out there by writing an op-ed or communicating with a political group, join the conversation and share your thoughts.\u00a0 Just by responding, you validate her and make sure our place at the table doesn\u2019t get lost.<\/p>\n Just like in the workplace, you need to call out blatant sexism in the political arena.\u00a0 Women will be judged by different standards when they are running for office or succeeding in the workplace.\u00a0 Be aware of it and don\u2019t be afraid to speak up.<\/p>\n Being aware of these challenges is important, yet you still need to be both collaborative and competitive at the same time.\u00a0 We can\u2019t get anything done without learning how to do both.<\/p>\n To all the women running for office right now, I\u2019m inspired by you and I\u2019m proud of you.\u00a0 In some ways, you\u2019re taking on the most difficult glass ceiling to break.\u00a0 I\u2019m with you.\u00a0 Now, don\u2019t forget to vote on November 7 and let your voice be heard!<\/p>\n