When Former Congresswoman Mimi Walters (CA-45) first ran for office, she had four kids under the age of 5. She was also a stockbroker, a wife, and an active volunteer in her community.
When her own mother questioned how she would be able to juggle it all, she said, “Mom, I’m doing it anyway.” She exclaimed the common refrain, “Women have to multitask.”
“Ultimately, I was hoping that I was setting a good example for my kids, especially my girls,” Congresswoman Walters explained. “If women see other women who have walked in these shoes, that gives them the confidence that they can, too.”
WPLN Board Vice Chair Valerie Dowling speaks with former U.S. Representative Mimi Walters at the 2023 #WPLNSummit.
Congresswoman Walters’ journey and juggling act was a common theme expressed by most of the female leaders, former candidates, and elected officials who spoke at Women’s Public Leadership Network’s second annual National Summit this past weekend in San Diego.
It’s one of the top things holding women back from running for office, getting more involved in politics and organizations, pursuing certain career opportunities, and seeking other leadership roles. Women disproportionately bear the responsibility of caring for their families, their homes, and more. And they tend to feel more constrained by time and other obligations.
“You have to look at how much time you’re willing to give to be a public servant,” explained Congresswoman Walters.
Former U.S. Representative Mimi Walters chats with attendees of the 2023 #WPLNSummit.
Echoed throughout the summit was the need for support from and for their family in order to run for office, seek leadership positions, and get involved in politics. That’s why WPLN provides free childcare at every event they host and advocates for other professional organizations and businesses to do the same.
While she said she and her husband worked together as a team, Congresswoman Walters explained that still “every single day, I would call my kids in between meetings to make sure they got their homework done.”
Tamika Hamilton is a mom of 5 who ran for Congress in California. Her husband is a cop, so her need for childcare help and support was even greater.
People always say “it takes a village” to raise a family and juggle work and other obligations. But, she said when running for office, “Where is the village… why didn’t they step in?!”
Former congressional candidate Tamika Hamilton addresses the audience during the “Voter Outreach & Community Engagement” panel at the 2023 #WPLNSummit.
Sara Marie Ridley, State Strategist at Majority Strategies and WPLN National Impact Council member, said, “Women tend to be the organizers of the family. Perennial candidates are always men.”
But, Sara recognized that more and more men are stepping into these roles so women can do more with their careers, get involved in politics or organizations in their community, and run for office.
“It would be a travesty for women to not take advantage of this opportunity,” she said.
WPLN National Impact Council member and Majority Strategies State Strategist Sara Marie Ridley addresses the audience during the “Voter Outreach & Community Engagement” panel at the 2023 #WPLNSummit.
As Joel Noyes, WPLN Board Chair and Director of Government & External Affairs for Hess Corporation, said, “My wife and I work as a team. If you come to my house at 7 am, you will find me in my daughter’s bedroom brushing her hair and putting it into a ponytail.”
“There’s a big role for men to play to allow women to step into those opportunities,” Joel said.
WPLN was created to remove these barriers that hold women back from seeking public office and leadership positions. It takes asking a woman to run 7 times, on average, before she will decide to do so.
So WPLN provides tangible resources, like training and childcare, as well as mentorship and support networks to help women take that next step. After all, we can’t do it alone.
WPLN Board Chair Joel Noyes addresses the audience at the 2023 #WPLNSummit.
As Kristin Westmoreland, Vice President and Chief of Staff at API, so eloquently stated, “We’re all sitting up here because others blazed paths for us. It’s important for us to pay it forward and be intentional with how we lift up women.”
If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that we need more women at decision-making tables at all levels of government. Women are naturally better communicators, collaborators, and compromisers. We are problem-solvers who seek sensible solutions and want real results.
WPLN President Larissa Martinez co-wrote a children's book to help women candidates explain campaign life to their children.
Public service is a rewarding career that more women could really benefit from, while also contributing greatly to our communities and country. So, consider this an ask. We need more women like you to run.
As Congresswoman Walters reflected, “If I’ve left a little mark on this world to be a better place, then it was worth it.”
“We’ve all been given one life in this world, and we’ve got to make the most of it. And it’s our duty to make this a better place for future generations.”