Politicking While Female: The Political Life of Women

More women ran for political office in the 2018 mid-term elections than at any other time in history. Indeed, record numbers of women were vying for seats on a variety of legislative bodies such as school boards, city councils, state legislatures, and congress as well as executive offices such as gubernatorial and mayoral seats. The 2018 mid-term elections drastically altered women’s political representation. The Spring 2019 Breaux Symposium will trace the barriers facing women in political leadership starting from the socialization of young children through the experiences women face winning and serving in elected office. Young girls are discouraged from thinking of themselves as leaders and these socialization processes turn women away from considering political careers. We will talk about the forces that motivate women to run for political office in spite of these negative socialization processes. We will also trace the gendered obstacles facing women, including women of color, pursuing political power including the role of voter and media bias. Finally, we highlight the benefits accrued from electing more women to positions of political power, and identify strategies designed to overcome these obstacles.

About the Breaux Symposium

The annual John Breaux Symposium pushes the boundaries of debate around an aspect of media, politics and public policy. The Symposium aims to harness the expertise and perspectives of individuals hailing from a variety of fields and backgrounds. Past Symposia have hosted scholars, journalists, corporate executives, and political and civic leaders. Through keynote speakers, panels and presentations, the intent of the Symposium is to discuss the public’s knowledge about some aspect of our democracy and identify possible actions to increase public awareness and constructive debate.

Schedule

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Politicking While Female: The Political Life of Women

The 2018 midterm elections drastically altered women’s political representation. This panel of academics will trace the barriers facing women in political leadership starting from the socialization of young children through the experiences women face winning and serving in elected office.

(Moderator) Dr. Nichole Bauer, Assistant Professor of Political Communication in the Department of Political Science & the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University

Dr. Monica Schneider, Associate Professor, College of Arts & Science, Department of Political Science, Miami University

Dr. Mary-Kate Lizotte, Associate Professor, Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Social Sciences, Augusta University

Dr. Rosalyn Cooperman, Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, Political Science and International Affairs, University of Mary Washington

Dr. Jennie Sweet-Cushman, Assistant Professor/Assistant Director Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, Chatham University

Dr. Wendy Smooth, Associate Professor, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies and Courtesy Appointments with Political Science and the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, Ohio State University

Dr. Danielle Lemi, Postdoctoral Fellow in Latino Public Policy, Southern Methodist University, John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies, Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences

Dr. Anna Mahoney, Director of Research, Administrative Assistant Professor of Women’s Political Leadership, Newcomb College Institute, Tulane University

Dr. Tessa Ditonto, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Iowa State University

10:45 – 11:45

Outside the Lines: Contributing to Politics Without Running for Office

You don’t have to run for office to be a participant in politics. Women have played instrumental roles in the inner workings of the political process. This panel will explore the vital role women play in successful campaigns.

(Moderator) Kelly Bingel, Founder at Mustang Government Strategies

Cassie Alsfeld, President, Shoreline Strategies

Neri Martinez, Executive Director, Future Majority Project, Republican State Leadership Committee

Terri Broussard Williams, Founder, MovementMakerTribe, CEO, Williams Strategies

Anna Gatlin Schilling, Vice President, National Engagement and Strategic Communications at Strada Education Network

Dr. Mary-Kate Lizotte, Associate Professor, Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Social Sciences, Augusta University

Dr. Anna Mahoney, Director of Research, Administrative Assistant Professor of Women’s Political Leadership, Newcomb College Institute, Tulane University

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

Lunch

12:45 – 1:45

Approaches to Campaign Strategy and Media Management

Reaching audiences as a female candidate can be challenging. From media coverage to voter bias, women running for office often have to be hyper aware of their presentation. In this panel, we will investigate the ways in which campaigns adjust their strategies and media plans when their candidates are women.

(Moderator) Julie Stokes, Louisiana House of Representatives, District 79

Matt Paul, Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Linh Nguyen, Special Projects Director, Beto for Texas

Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni, Director of Public Affairs, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry

Erika Green, Baton Rouge Councilwoman, District 5

Bradley Williams, Senior Digital Manager, Color of Change PAC

Dr. Tessa Ditonto, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Iowa State University

Dr. Danielle Lemi, Postdoctoral Fellow in Latino Public Policy, Southern Methodist University, John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies, Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences

2:00 – 3:00

The Basics: How to Start a Campaign (And Raise the Money to Do It)

Starting a political campaign can be an intimidating process. Seasoned professionals will discuss the ins and outs of platform creation, campaign strategy, and fundraising.

(Moderator) Melanie Oubre, Executive Director, Emerge Louisiana

Laura Cox Kaplan, Republican CoChair, Running Start, Creator & Host, She Said/She Said Podcast

Tasha Cole, Democratic CoChair, Running Start, Vice President of Development, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

LaTanja Silvester, Co-Founder, Les Femmes PAC

Dr. Rosalyn Cooperman, Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, Political Science and International Affairs, University of Mary Washington

Dr. Jennie Sweet-Cushman, Assistant Professor/Assistant Director Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, Chatham University

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

The Gendered Political Environment: How Louisiana’s Ethics Board Childcare Debacle Exemplifies the Challenges to Politicking While Female

The Louisiana Ethics Board came under fire recently when it denied a female candidate the right to use campaign funds for childcare during campaign events. After initially denying the candidate’s request, the Board reversed their ruling. This panel will investigate how the Board’s decision exemplifies the way that gender expectations play out in institutions that affect women running for office.

(Moderator) Summer Steib, Women’s Center Director, Louisiana State University

Dr. Nichole Bauer, Assistant Professor of Political Communication in the Department of Political Science & the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University

Yigal Bander, Attorney, Manasseh, Gill, Knipe, Bélanger

Franz Borghardt, Attorney, Borghardt Law Firm

Senator Beth Mizell, Louisiana State Senator, District 12

Dr. Wendy Smooth, Associate Professor, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies and Courtesy Appointments with Political Science and the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, Ohio State University

Mary-Patricia Wray, Owner, Top Drawer Strategies, LLC

4:30 – 5:30

Keynote Session

(Moderator) Abigale Nguyen, LSU Junior, Mass Communication with a concentration in Political Communication, Minor: History

Nan Hayworth, M.D., Former U.S. Congresswoman (R – NY)

Jackie Clarkson, Louisiana’s Honorary Consul General for Lithuania (D – LA)

NOTE

**Potential Delays due to Construction on Dalrymple:

The city-parish plans to begin road repairs on Dalrymple Drive Tuesday, March 12, from State St. to Broussard St., weather permitting. The repairs are expected to take approximately two weeks.

The road will not be closed, but heavy delays are anticipated during peak travel times as traffic will be directed around the work area. The LSU community may want to consider using an alternate route when driving to and from campus. Pedestrians and bicyclists may also be impacted by the rough surface during the construction.

Directions to Parking at Union Square Garage

From I-10 West, take exit 156B onto Dalrymple Drive towards LSU. Turn right onto Dalrymple Drive. Continue on Dalrymple until the roundabout, then take the first exit to stay on Dalrymple Drive. Turn left onto East Campus Drive. The entrance to the Union Square Garage will be on your right just past Veterans Drive.

From I-10 East, take exit 155A and keep left to Highland Road. Turn left onto Veterans Drive. Turn right onto East Campus Drive. The entrance to the Union Square Garage will be on your right just past Raphael Semmes Road.

Parking

Paid visitor parking in the Union Square garage is available for $1.50/hour.

Walking directions - Union Square Garage to Journalism Building

Exit the Union Square Garage, then turn left on East Campus Drive. At the first intersection, turn left on Veterans Drive. Walk straight, passing the LSU Union on your left and going through the Quad. Continue straight through the Quad and the Journalism building will be across the street from Lockett Hall.