The Women’s Political Initiative, a four-part lecture series created to encourage women on campus to become involved in the political process, kicked off Monday night in the Ferguson Theater.
The lecture series is the result of a partnership between the Student Government Association, the Women’s Resource Center and the Honor’s College Assembly. The lecture series is designed to spark interest in politics among collegiate women.
Cathy Randall was set as the inaugural speaker, but was unable to attend the lecture Monday. A community leader and UA alumna, Randall was named as one of the University’s “31 Most Outstanding Women Graduates of the Century.”
Alabama alumna Katie Boyd Britt presented the lecture in Randall’s place.
Britt, originally from Enterprise, Ala., attended the University and majored in political science. While at the Capstone, she was a member of the Blount Undergraduate Initiative and the Blackburn Institute. She served as a Chi Omega president and as an SGA president. Following college, she served as press secretary for Sen. Shelby.
“It’s too bad you’re a girl, because you’ll go far with this,” Britt said, quoting a male friend who expressed his thoughts on her election as an Arts and Sciences Senator during Britt’s freshman year. This statement served as her initial motivation to further pursue politics.
Before her senior year, Britt had the opportunity to complete an internship under Sen. Shelby and later served as the youngest press secretary on Capitol Hill.
“I was able to go back [to the capital] because I worked hard,” she said. “All of a sudden I found myself on an elevator with Hilary Clinton and newly elected Sen. Barack Obama.” As press secretary, she said that she ensured that Sen. Shelby put his best foot forward and acted as a spokesperson and a liaison between him, his constituents, and the media.
“Don’t count yourself out because of your age,” she said. “Don’t count yourself out because of your gender. Women have a fierce determination and intensity none can rival.”
Women gained suffrage through the 19th Amendment when it was ratified in 1920. As of 1979, women only comprise three percent of Congress. In 2010, they only comprise 16 percent. It has jumped in the past decades, but it has not jumped as significantly as it could, she said.
Britt told the audience to always seize an opportunity, to become educated in the process of government, and to serve.
“Never underestimate yourself,” she said. “Just because it hasn’t been done, does not mean that it does not need to be done. There are tons of ways to make a difference. Don’t limit yourself.”
