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The Women's Legislative Network of NCSL

Marilyn was elected to the House of Delegates in 1975, where she remained until 1986. In 1987 she became the Director of the Office of Federal Relations in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She moved to Governor Schaefer's Programs Office and became the Executive Assistant for Health Issues in 1987, and in 1995 she once again was elected to a fifth term in the House of Delegates where she is Deputy Majority Whip.

In a very real sense," Marilyn says, "your first political campaign begins the day you become involved in community affairs. Your work with the local PTA, school board, League of Women Voters, zoning commission, or political party will focus your interests, shape your approach to issues and problem solving, and help establish your credibility as a potential public official. The contacts you make and the friendships you form as you climb the community-service ladder

will also prove invaluable when you finally take the plunge and decide to run for public office. Along the way you will also have the opportunity to earn a reputation as someone who gets things done, keeps your word, remains loyal to the party but recognizes the need to be nonpartisan on occasion, and rewards loyal supporters."

Prescription for Nurses: Effective Political Action, published in 1990 (C.V. Mosby Company, was co-authored by Marilyn Goldwater, RN, and Mary Jane Lloyd Zusy, RN, MA. Not only for the nursing profession, this book offers valuable insight into public service, the legislative process, and Marilyn's thoughts. Some excerpts follow:

"Although the road to public office, especially for women, has changed little since I entered politics 30 years ago, today's would-be politicians are much more deliberate in their pursuit of public office. While the genesis of my political career could be described as almost accidental, today most politically ambitious - and politically successful - women carefully plot their progress from the school board to statehouse.

"Today people, particularly women, are starting earlier and aiming higher. Many of them are not willing to labor in the political vineyards as volunteers for years before they run for public office. And some may skip the school board and start with the state legislature. Regardless of the route you choose, you will need a solid base of community support to be successful. If you don't have this support, you will need a substantial amount of money. Preferably you should have both."

"Politics has often been called 'the art of the possible.' Through it we effect change. In fact most of us engage in political activities throughout our lifetimes - many times without thinking of them as political." (Marilyn cites an example from her own life).

Posted 7/25/01