Collection:LPB

Genre: Public Affairs, Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2012-05-23

Duration: 00:58:10

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Women legislators

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Sanford, Shauna Host
• Blanco, Kathleen Interviewee
• Cross, Pearson Interviewee
• Mount, Willie Interviewee
• Landry, Nancy Interviewee
• Broome, Sharon Weston Interviewee
• Blacher, Daryl Speaker
• Nelson, Susan Speaker
• Jones, Harriet Speaker
• Williams, Keesha Speaker
• Guillory, Vivian Speaker
• Ryan, Emily Speaker
• Dominique, Alexis Speaker
• Barfield, Marilyn Speaker
• Griggs, Mary Speaker
• Smith, Bridgette Speaker
• Jackson, Katrina Panelist
• Hodges, Valarie Panelist
• Smith, Pat Panelist
• Badeaux, Laura Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from May 23, 2012, features Shauna Sanford leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the underrepresentation of women in the Louisiana Legislature. A background report, including interviews with former Governor Kathleen Blanco, Dr. Pearson Cross of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, former State Senator Willie Mount, State Representative Nancy Landry, and State Senator Sharon Weston Broome, precedes the discussion. The audience members discuss: whether they are interested in running for office; the public scrutiny faced by female politicians; the differences in the political ambitions of men and women; the lack of confidence in many women; and family obligations. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are State Representatives Katrina Jackson, Valarie Hodges, and Pat Smith and Dr. Laura Badeaux of the Louisiana Center for Women and Government at Nicholls State University. They discuss: what inspired them to run for office; the realities of serving in the Legislature; why there are fewer women legislators from the Republican Party than the Democratic Party; the issue of fundraising; family obligations; the qualities that women bring to the political process; all issues being “women’s issues”; and strategies for encouraging young women to become involved in the political process. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Shauna Sanford