• Mission & Governance
• Services Overview
• How to Get Involved
• Standing Committees
• NCSL Foundation

• Issue Areas: A-Z
• State-Federal Relations
• NCSL Standing Committees
• News from D.C. and the States

• About State Legislatures
• Elections, Campaigns & Redistricting
• NCSL's StateConnect Directory
• Web Sites

• Online Guide to NCSL Services
• Staff Sections and Networks
• Meetings & Professional Development
• Staff Directories

• Meetings Calendar
• Online Registration
• Meetings Home Page
• Legislative Summit

• Bookstore
• State Legislatures Magazine
• NCSL's StateConnect Directory

The Women's Legislative Network of NCSL

The Women's Legislative Network of NCSL began through the initiative of Del. Pauline Menes, who served as the first chair of the loosely knit group of women legislators. How did it all come about? It happened because Pauline felt that women legislators were a group to galvanize to counteract Phyllis Shaffley's criticism of the Women's International Conference which was to be held in Houston in 1976. They met for the first time at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures, and decided to get together on an annual basis. (See history section in front of this booklet for more information.)

Pauline has been in the House of Delegates since 1996 and has seen many changes over the 34 years. During her first campaign, few of the women worked for pay outside of the home and Pauline encountered many during "door knocking." Surprised to see a woman candidate, she was often asked if she was married and had children and, if so, what her husband thought of her running for office. Some even said that they would tell their husbands she came by, and would see what he thought of her candidacy, implying that women needed the approval of their husbands to support a woman candidate.

However, Pauline's women friends and constituents were ready to volunteer to work on her election campaign. Her first and only fundraiser in her initial election was entitled "Perils of Pauline" and the ticket cost was only $6. The old silent Perils of Pauline movie was shown, accompanied with humorous dialogue written by a friend. The old time theme included a sing- a-long of tunes with lyrics about Pauline and her campaign. Popcorn and 25 cent beer was served. Enough money was raised to pay for the primary and general election activities, with the major expense being one piece of literature she used when calling on 90,000 constituents.

"How different campaigns are today," laments Pauline. "Glossy brochures, very expensive yard signs, polling data, television and radio commercials, and numerous mailings. The biggest change is the need to raise significant amounts of money to run effectively in both the Primary and the General election."

Advice to others: "Be prepared by working in your community as a volunteer to develop support and to show others how effective you can be. Go to the capital and observe the operation of the committees and legislative body as a whole. Work in an election campaign for a candidate, and try to get the candidate to be your mentor when elected. If you have a family, it is important they feel that you are all in a partnership together that includes husband and the children. A women in elective office much never lose sight of her family and their role.

Posted 7/25/01