Barbara Palmer is Professor of Political Science at Baldwin Wallace University and is the Creator and Executive Director of the Center for Women and Politics of Ohio (CWPO). The CWPO engages students, scholars, media and the public in the sharing of over 100 years of Ohio history and the remarkable stories of women who have run for public office. Professor Palmer teaches courses on American politics, civil rights and liberties, elections, and women and politics, and serves as the Director of the Legal Studies Program. She has given interviews and invited talks to a wide variety of groups across the country and internationally on American elections and the history of the integration of women into Congress. She has been interviewed by the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Minnesota Public Radio, the Voice of America, and Die Ziet (Germany). Throughout her career, collaborating with non-profit organizations, she has worked with over 500 young women from across the nation, helping inspire them to get involved in politics.
Women Want In: The Remarkable History of Women Running for Public Office and the 2020 Election
The 1992, the number of women in the US Senate tripled. From two to six. The proportion of women in the US House hit 10% of the membership. The exuberant media dubbed the election, “The Year of the Woman.” Almost thirty years later, the 2018 election was again proclaimed to be “The Year of the Woman,” with the number of women in the US Senate reaching 25, and a record increase in the US House from 83 to 102. Since the 1970s, the integration of women into Congress has been achingly slow, with average increase in the number of women in the US House hovering around two or three. However, in 2018 and now again in 2020, we have seen unprecedented numbers of women running for office. Change appears to be happening quickly, but why are there still so few women in Congress? Does this even matter? What impact did Kamala Harris have on the election? And why is Ohio lagging behind these national trends? The history of women running for public office is one of fits and starts, but full of inspiring stories.
Recorded Programs:
From Mrs. Satan to Madame Speaker: 150 Years of Ohio Women Running for Public Office
Women have been running for public office in the United States for 150 years. However, it has only been since the 1970s that we have seen any significant progress in their numbers. In addition to sharing stories of some of the early trail-blazers who ran before the passage of the 19th Amendment, we will explore how historical barriers, such as incumbency and redistricting, have shaped the electoral success of female candidates. Did the 2016 and 2018 elections finally rewrite the rules?
TO SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION , PLEASE CONTACT:
Barbara Palmer
bpalmer@bw.edu
202-413-3526
Speaker Applications
If your organization would like to book a speaker, first contact the speaker to confirm program dates, times, and whether or not the program will be offered virtually. After you have confirmed scheduling details, submit a speaker request form to Ohio Humanities at least six weeks before the presentation takes place. Upon approval, we’ll send you a program agreement packet and ask you to pay the appropriate application fee to Ohio Humanities. Groups are limited to three Speakers Bureau programs per year.
Speaker Fee Structure
Non-profit organizations with an annual budget under $150,000 pay a fee of $50.00.
Non-profit organizations with an annual budget over $150,000 pay a fee of $250.00.
Schools (including colleges or universities) and corporate or private entities pay a fee of $400.00.
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