ROCK HILL, S.C. - Five female politicians, activists and policy makers will gather March 25 at Winthrop University to talk about how to encourage more women to run for office in South Carolina.
The Palmetto State ranks last in the nation in women’s involvement in politics. Of the state’s 124 legislators, only 17 are women. There are currently no females serving in the S.C. Senate. South Carolina has not had a female U.S. senator and only one U.S. representative, though four wives filled in for their deceased husbands, according to the Center for American Women in Politics.
Speaking during the March 25 event, “Electing Women in S.C.: Why Is It Important?” are Cheri Mabrey, S.C. Democratic Party activist; Liz Smith, professor of political science at Furman University; S.C. Rep. Laurie Funderburk, D-Camden; Kathy Pender, Rock Hill City Council member; and Donna DeWitt, director of the Southeastern Institute of Women in Politics.
Sponsored by the West Forum, the 7 p.m. event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Karen Kedrowski, chair of the Department of Political Science, at 803/323-4662.