Running and Winning: Pathways to Public Service for Young Women

The League of Women of Huntington Voters presented a comprehensive workshop entitled “Running and Winning” to 42 young high school women on April 3^rd at the Dolan Center in Huntington. The program was designed to introduce the students to politics and public service as viable career choices through dialogues and discussions with elected public officials from Huntington and Suffolk County. Students from Commack High School, Half Hollow High School East, Huntington High and North Babylon High School participated.  The public officials included Sarah Anker, Suffolk County Legislator, Ester Bivona, Huntington Receiver of Taxes, Marlene Budd, Suffolk County Court Judge, Tracey Edwards, Huntington Town Board Member, Amelia Brogan, Cold Spring Harbor Board of Education, Carol Mackenzie, Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge, Jo-Ann Raia, Huntington Town Clerk, Toni Tepe, Chairman, Huntington Town Republican Committee and Susan Berland, Huntington Town Board Member. Each public official introduced herself and explained the functions of her office.

Groups of four to five high school students interviewed two different public officials. .Sara Anker asked students “will you run for public office?” The students expressed hesitation and Legislator Anker replied, “Why not! You can do it. I did.” “ I would like to make a difference in peoples’ lives,” said one student.

Each group presented a “virtual candidate.” with a history, campaign speech, logo and bumper sticker. The young women demonstrated they had opened their minds to public service and its many possibilities for women.