by Julie Mackaman

Vermont is the only state that has never elected a woman to Congress, but that may change in November 2022. Four Vermont women have already declared their candidacy for Vermont’s sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives being vacated by Representative Peter Welch.

We invite you to “A Woman’s Journey into Politics,” a free Zoom event sponsored by the Bennington Branch of the American Association of University Women. The four women candidates will take a break from the campaign trail to share their reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing women candidates in politics today:

What is it like to be a woman running for office today? In a moderated conversation, each woman will be asked to draw on her personal experience to answer that question, from when and how she entered politics to her decision to run for a seat which, if she wins, would make her the first woman from Vermont in Congress.

Sample discussion topics include the role of mentorship in their political careers, an example of where their perspective as women has informed a policy position, and advice they might offer other women considering entering electoral politics. As candidates for a national position, they will be asked for their thoughts on what Vermont might bring to the national dialog and national trends for women in politics. Time at the end will be reserved for a few questions from the virtual audience.

The Bennington Branch of AAUW does not endorse candidates, but it does support legislation that opens up and safeguards opportunities for women, and in past election years has presented a Candidates Forum to air the political views and legislative positions of local candidates (women and men, Republicans and Democrats) running for the Vermont legislature.

To send a question the candidates, email it to AAUWBennvt@gmail.com with Question for Candidates in the subject line.