NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Neenah City Council has been predominantly women for the past few years. And, with the recent election, one more woman will be added as a member.
“There’s a lot of respect between all of the council members,” said Jane Lang, the 3rd district alderman for Neenah.
Lang has been on Neenah’s City Council for 5 years. Of the 9 council members, 7 are now women.
She tells Fox 11…
“When it’s brought to your attention, it’s kind of like ‘oh yeah, we are the majority on the city council now’, so its kind of exciting and fun to think that women have come this far.”
Neenah Mayor Dean Kaufert tells FOX 11 different representation brings in new perspectives.
“They can bring compassion and empathy, and yet they’re tough, they want to make this community better.”
Other local governments that are predominantly women include Platteville, Verona and the Village of Shorewood.
However, according to the most recent Women’s Council report, in 2015, women held only 23% of elected seats overall.
A study by UW-Extension reports some women wouldn’t run for office because they felt they needed more education and confidence.
But Christine Lidbury, Executive Director of WI Women’s Council tells FOX 11 that could be different now.
“I think younger women have grown up with the idea that women can do anything and have that more personal agency about feeling, they understand their value and they understand their community and are ready as anybody to run for office.”
She added that diverse representation is needed, but women wouldn’t want to be judged by the fact that they’re women” but what they bring to the table on the issues and perspectives like everyone else.”
The Women’s Council also reported in 2015, school board seats were held by 40% of women.
