Friday: November 21, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Fe Bland Forum Auditorium SBCC West Campus, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
Presented by: Lois Phillips
In the US, women constitute 51% of the population yet hold just 24 of 100 seats in the Senate and 29.2% of 435 seats in the House of Representatives. When women are excluded from executive decision-making in state and federal governments, diverse perspectives and crucial policy priorities are overlooked. Research confirms that certain social attitudes and psychological obstacles make it more difficult for women than men to engage in politics as candidates. These challenges not only hinder women's political participation and representation, but also have broader consequences for democracy and society. In this presentation, Lois Phillips and her guest panel* will offer an overview of the history of women in politics and will review research identifying the current policy areas that women care about versus those that men do.