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Dear Editor:
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I find it interesting that after women secured the legal vote 100 years ago, the State of Indiana has never elected a female governor and has never elected a female United States Senator.
While it is true that we have had at least three females as Lt. Governors, we are now among a shrinking number of states which has never elected a female to that position. The same holds true for the office of U.S. Senator.
Although we do have U.S. Representative Susan Brooks as a District representative, we need to do more to encourage and support women of all political parties to seek higher office and represent our state both here and in D.C. In fact, if you look at the diversity in our local legislature, you will not find much.
As our demographics shift and as women become more involved in running businesses, universities and communities, I believe it is time to put away long-held prejudices (yes, I said that) and realize that we ARE all “in this together.” Only by equal representation of men and women without prejudicial regard for ethnicity, color, religion and gender can we move forward in a world that is vastly different than the one in which Congress passed the bill which led to the right of women to vote on June 4, 1919 and was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920.
Hoosiers can do better, in my opinion, and I encourage all women who have the interest in serving our state and the public, which deserves the best representation possible, to strongly consider how you can serve Indiana as we move forward in the 21st century.
Sharon McMahon
Noblesville