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Current and Former Politicians Want More Women in Power

By Kerri Provost

March 20, 2013

To encourage younger generations of women to embrace feminism, Susan Bysiewicz suggested adults “be an example and not afraid to speak up when you see inequalities.”

That’s some real talk right there.

Last week, during Boob B-Rollgate, there was such an opportunity, but according to State Senator Beth Bye, the media squandered this chance to take a strong stance. Not a shocker, given how Bysiewicz described the appearance of the Capitol press room: almost all white, middle-aged men, and, Christine Stuart. Bye, herself, does a daily count while watching Morning Joe– how many male vs. female guests. The results are too predictable to bother typing up.

Here in Hartford, opportunities seem to have presented themselves in local politics, as the panelists were asked by an audience member if it would be “appropriate to ask” male candidates to step aside. More specifically, the question was referring to how the Hartford Town Democratic Committee did not endorse a single female candidate in 2011. First Bysiewicz suggested that the concerned individual “go to the voters,” but later said, “I’d be embarrassed to be a Democrat in the city of Hartford” at a time when women with political experience, like rJo Winch, do not get endorsed by the DTC.

“It’s important that people stand up to the party,” she said.

Evelyn Mantilla, former State Representative, and Marilyn Rossetti, former Hartford City Councilwoman, were also part of the “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” panel which primarily discussed elected public service. Christine Stuart, Editor of CTNewsJunkie, moderated the discussion. Veronica Airey-Wilson — former City Councilwoman — kicked off the event by reading a proclamation issued by Mayor Segarra and City Council, honoring Ann Uccello, Hartford’s first female mayor.

On March 27th, the Hartford Public Library will launch a series called “Women on the Move.” The library’s Facebook page says this series is “designed to illuminate the lives and history of women through film, discussions, books and author talks” on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6pm in the Center for Contemporary Culture.