Online Training To Encourage SC Women To Run For Office

With primary fever still lingering in South Carolina, one group is hoping it will inspire women to jump into Palmetto State politics.

The Southeastern Institute for Women In Politics launched a new online training program Monday that will let women prepare to run for office at their convenience.

The Columbia-based group is offering free video seminars and Q and A pages to give women detailed information on how to file for office, run a campaign and ultimately win an election. Right now three of five training topics are posted, totaling about four hours, with the final two about “getting out the vote” going up in the next couple weeks.

Despite the 2010 election of Gov. Nikki Haley, the state’s first female governor, South Carolina still ranks last for women serving in politics.

Only four women have ever served in statewide elected office and only five women have represented the state in U.S. Congress, four of whom filled vacancies after their husbands died. Currently there are no female state senators.

But Mary Anne Jacobs, the institute’s president, said South Carolina is full of highly-qualified professional women, but their biggest barrier to running for public office is not having the information and know-how.

“The institute is strong, but we can’t be everywhere at all times, and this technology allows us to meet the needs of the women in South Carolina who may even just be pondering running for public office. Any time, anywhere, they can register for free training.”

Last year the group trained more than 200 women during in-person seminars across the state, half of which said they were considering running after getting educated about the ins and outs of the process.

The new training program, created by technology company IT-oLogy and funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, also makes documents about filing dates, ethics rules and more readily accessible.

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin, who was elected in 2008 to finish out a term, and re-elected in 2010, said that being in a comfortable, supportive setting while she gathered information about running helped her commit. She said adding the online component could coax out more women who are hesitant to step into the political ring.

“To have these opportunities where you can learn maybe in the privacy of your own office or your own home where you’re thinking, ‘hmm, I’m not sure I want to tell anybody I’m thinking about this yet,’ and start to learn and go, ‘OK, I really think I can do this and I want to learn more and look at my options,’” Partin said.

She said the institute is “invaluable” not only because the training is top notch, but that panelists and seminars are conducted by female politicians and strategists with success stories to set as goals.

Jacobs said she expects 2012 to be “the perfect storm” to sweep more South Carolina women into power because reapportionment, redistricting and presidential campaigning will ignite more interest in politics, drive more people to the polls and hopefully inspire more women to get involved. Also, all of the state House and Senate sets are on the ballot, which only happens every 20 years.

Plus research from the Barbara Lee foundation during 2010 shows that voters are looking for female voices now more than ever.

“Women have an ability to relate to the constituents and women address issues differently than men. It’s not a matter of replacing men it’s a matter of preparing women. Women look at healthcare and family issues on a different level than men. It’s bringing a different level of diversity to the south Carolina state house, to the Horry county council meeting and to the schools board meetings.”

Candidates have until March 31 to file. For more information on the institute and the free web training program visit www.scelectswomen.com or call 803-741-5644.