On September 30th, Congresswoman Shontel Brown spoke to fifty-five young women from Lakewood High School on the importance of female political representation. At a time when women in power are at the forefront of political discourse, the League of Women Voters, in collaboration with Lakewood High School government teachers Ron Lewis and Lauren Flynn alongside Lakewood City Council member Cindy Strebig, knew the value of a conversation with young voices. Together, Lewis and Strebig brought a panel of locally and nationally elected women and women working “behind the scenes” to emphasize the various places women can fit in politics. Opening panelists on the state and locally elected level included Ohio Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio, Lakewood City Council President Sarah Kepple, and Vice President of Cuyahoga County Council Cheryl Stephens. Women on the “behind the scenes” panel included President of Burges & Burges Vanessa Tay Iosue and Senior Legislative Aide at Ohio Senate Mia Barnes. Councilwoman Strebig addressed the eager young women, who were selected specifically for their political interests stating,”When women work together we bring out the best in each other. If you can see her, you can be her.”
The women on the panels shared their struggles of being able to step into their power and take the initiative to run for their political positions. Unlike the young women attending the seminar, they lacked such close role models to look up to. At the time, very few women held positions of political power beyond just supporting other campaigns. Instead of looking up to someone else, these women were inspired by a realization that they too could do the same job—perhaps even better.
“Do it. Do it. Do it,” said Antonio. “Don’t hesitate. Don’t worry that you’re not skilled enough, that you don’t have enough, women always question themselves. A man gets up in the morning, looks in the mirror, and says, ‘I look good.’ A woman gets up in the morning and says, ‘I look okay, but if I did a few more things, and if I learned some more things I could probably run for office.”‘ Antonio and other panelists highlighted the importance of these young women believing in themselves, and that they would have the most success if they didn’t allow anybody to convince them otherwise.
Students selected to attend the Women in Politics Seminar were chosen for their drive to better themselves and their community. Freshman student Charlaice McDonald, moved by the support she had seen, stated, “I think this is a really good opportunity for anybody, even if you don’t want to do [politics] because of the encouragement from other women…it’s always helpful.”
This sentiment was shared by the other students within the crowd, many being politically active themselves. The city of Lakewood offers a wide variety of ways to get involved with the community. Programs like Lakewood Youth Council and the League of Women Voters provide high school students with principle experiences in policy and community. Senior Shannon Katzenberger, a member of Lakewood Youth Council, stated, “It’s just like having the determination to find these opportunities or make those opportunities for yourself.” These groups provide students who have the drive the perfect place to be involved in political positions similar to the ones the panelists are a part of each day.
United States Representative Shontel Brown (OH-11) never expected or even set out to achieve the career she has today. Her career in politics began as a city council member of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. After three successful and productive years in her position, she was elected to the Cuyahoga County Council. Later, in the race for her seat in Congress, Brown felt she was below the other running candidates.
The power of this statement resonated with the young women in the crowd. It meant that even if someone did not have the assumed credentials to be in a local or national political realm, they could achieve it with character and hard work. Brown shared the story of how she reached her title and the challenges she faced. She lacked some of the same degrees, finances, and support that others had. She emphasized that “The work is the reward” and “The degree is just validation for the rest of the world.” True character is what allows a public servant to serve their purpose, something each student present was selected for having.
Brown tells the girls, “Go at it the hardest you can so nobody can ever say you’re slipping…if you have your facts together the feelings people feel about you will not matter.” She explains that facts last forever—if you work hard at everything you care about, it will work for you.
Everything Brown shared with these young women sparked a change in expression and emotion. AP Government teacher Ron Lewis confided, “There was a moment when Congresswoman Brown was speaking, and I was just looking at the audience, and I thought never in my teaching career have I had that many people paying attention that closely.” This energy was visible throughout the room from corner to corner. The seminar between Brown and her audience had gone so well that she pushed to stay for another fifteen minutes to keep the questions going.
For the fifty-five young women in the room, seeing the successful women on the panels and receiving encouragement was impactful in many ways. They were encouraged to become more involved in their community and empowered to take action and better the lives of the people around them. Brown leaves them with a final reminder that “Diversity is our strength, but unity is our power.”
