Oct. 5 program to ask: Will 2018 be ‘Year of The Woman’?

Carly Schmitt

Carly Schmitt, assistant professor of political science at Indiana State University, will present “Where are the Women? Candidates, Officeholders and Representation” in a free public program Thursday, Oct. 5 in Greencastle.

While women make up over half of the country’s population, women hold just over 20 percent of mayoral positions, 26 percent of state legislative positions, and 19 and 21 percent, respectively, of the seats in the U.S. House and Senate.

However, research demonstrates that when women run, they win.

Thus, the underrepresentation of women lies in the lack of women on the ballot. Equal representation of women in elective office requires the activation, mobilization and recruitment of women as candidates.

In response to the 2016 election, not only have women mobilized, but a large number of organizations have emerged to encourage women to run for office and assist them in their efforts to do so.

Schmitt will share her perspective on these topics in an Oct. 5 program beginning at 7 p.m. in Watson Forum in the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media at the corner of Elm and Locust streets on the DePauw University campus.

Schmitt’s visit is sponsored by the Greencastle League of Women Voters, the DPU Women’s Center and the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies program. The presentation is open to the public.