I've run for public office twice. The first time it was for a seat on our local school board, and the second time for county supervisor. Both times I was rewarded by eighteen year old girls.

When I ran for school board my daughter had a friend who asked me why? I told her that I felt that it was part of being a citizen of the US to run for office or help our community in some way. She asked what was needed to run. I told her that she needed to be eighteen and registered to vote in the district. She laughed and said that if that was all, she could run. I said, Yes, and you should. I told her that she was closer to the students than any of the other people running and could really help them.

She thought about it, and filed the next day. There were people who looked at her and said no way, but she met the criteria. Neither she nor I won the seat, but we did get votes, and those who were on the board began to listen more closely to what young people had to say. It seems I inspired her and I'm glad.

Later I ran for county supervisor, and it became a circus. When I filed I was the only one running, then on the last day twelve others signed up, and of course I was the only woman. During the next three months I was interviewed by TV and radio stations and local newspapers. And I attended six debates. The winner was the one who only attended one debate. You may be able to imagine what it was like with eleven or twelve men and me, the lone woman.

Even though I did not win, the best thing happened at one of the debates. It was hosted by the GATE (gifted students) program of a local high school. They wrote all the questions and ran the debate. It was one of the best debates I had ever seen or been part of. At the end we, the candidates, were shaking hands and meeting the folks in the audience. A young girl introduced herself to me as a senior interested in politics. She said I had inspired her because she was not sure whether or not it would be alright for her to run for public office. I told her that she not only could, she should, and I hoped she would.

What we do in public is important, and there are young people watching us closely. I feel privileged to have been an inspiration to two such young women.

Learn more about this author, Marling Mcreynolds.
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