On Saturday, Feb. 11, the University hosted “Elect Her” in the Women’s Center located in Room 107 of Hanna Hall.
The event is a training workshop geared toward women who are interested in positions in student government, politics and other leadership roles on campus. The workshop taught skills such as how to address political issues and how to create a platform, various communication strategies and balloting procedures.
Women’s Center Director Mary Kruger was pleased to see a jump in attendance from last year’s event. “Last year was our first year sponsoring the event, we had about 15 people come out, this year had nearly 30 participants.”
Not only has the number of participants increased, but the number of guest speakers and public officials have also spiked.
“Last year, we had two Bowling Green Council members speak at the event, this year, we had four guest speakers, all of which had extensive political backgrounds,” Keji Kujjo, Women’s Center graduate assistant, said.
Along with teaching women important skills to run for office and to be confident in themselves, the workshop also featured many local government officials as guest speakers including Ohio State Senator Teresa Fedor, Senator Edna Brown, Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik and Bowling Green Councilman Daniel Gordon.
Among other guest was Facilitator Tanya Johnson, who has hosted other Elect Her at universities such as Northern Iowa, Texas A&M and Tulane. Johnson has 12 years of experience working on Capitol Hill, most notably working for current Democratic Minority Whip Steny Hoyer.
“We had a diversity of issues students were passionate about brought to my attention as a result of this workshop. Many of the students brought up things such as sexual assault, race, and lack of diversity on campus.”
Johnson also added a new wrinkle to the program which was absent from last year’s seminar.
“This year, the students participated in a mock campaign simulation, where each student had to design and craft an elevator pitch about their issue of choice and go out and get ballot signatures around campus in order to support their issue,” Johnson said.
“I feel this event is beneficial to all women who are interested in running for government office because it truly teaches girls a sense of confidence in a field which is largely dominated by male counterparts,” Johnson said.
At the close of the workshop, Johnson issued a prize to the winner of the mock balloting campaign in recognition of the student’s hard work and perseverance.
The Bowling Green Women’s Center hopes to continue to host the event annually while increasing awareness of the event around campus.
For more information about the event or the BGSU Women’s Center, log onto the school website and search the events calendar, or email [email protected].
