On April 14, our AAUW branch hosted a successful Women in Politics event, a conversation among the four women candidates who are vying to be the first  woman to represent Vermont in the US House of Representatives. Below is a screenshot taken during this extraordinary Zoom event:

Top: Sianay Chase Clifford, former Congressional aide;  Julie Mackaman, moderator
Middle: Becca Balint, State Senator& President Pro Tem; Molly Gray, Lieutenant Governor
Bottom: Keisha Ram Hinsdale, State Senator

Unlike the typical forum on the campaign trail, one in which candidates debate one another and challenge each other’s positions, our event was a refreshing opportunity for viewers to get to know the candidates and for the candidates to learn more about one another.

Many times during the event, candidates thanked us for the opportunity to have a conversation with one another as women, not as opponents.  As they shared their backgrounds and the experiences that led them into politics, they laughed with each other and they thanked us for hosting the event. Our amazing moderator, Julie, asked them questions such as these: Do you have any thoughts about what a woman from Vermont would bring to the US House of Representatives? Tell us about any mentors you had who helped you enter politics?

It takes a village to prepare for and execute an event like this. I want to thank Jackie Marro for taking the initiative to contact all four candidates and invite them to participate, Kathy Wagenknecht, for originating the idea and coordinating with the campaigns, and to the Program Committee Contact, Sheila Mackaman, for helping with many details. Also,  we are grateful that Julie Haupt stepped up to handle the technology with me assisting. And finally, thanks to the many members who distributed the  poster I created: First, to Althea Church, for coordinating the distribution of posters and for sending them to various libraries in Vermont; thanks also to Judy Murphy, Carolyn Webb, Suzanne Kirkpatrick, Jennifer Kern, and Mary Feidner for placing them in various locations around town.

If you would like to view the entire event, click on the arrow in the middle of  the screen below: