Little Silver, NJ - On May 2, seven Red Bank Regional students joined sixty other female high school juniors from eleven area high schools attending a special political workshop spearheaded by the Greater Red Bank Area League of Women Voters (GRBA-LWV). The program entitled Running and Winning, took place at centrally located Monmouth Regional High School. Co-sponsoring the day-long event with GRBA-LWV was the Red Bank Chapter of Hadassah, Northern Monmouth County Branch—American Association of University Women, the Junior League of Monmouth County, the State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of New Jersey and the Monmouth County Regional Chapter of the Women’s Political Caucus. Members of the aforementioned organizations, interested businesses and individuals, as well as some government officials were donors to the event.

The Greater Red Bank Area League of Women Voters, The Red Bank Chapter of Hadassah, Northern Monmouth County Branch—American Association of University Women, the Junior League of Monmouth County, the State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of New Jersey and the Monmouth County Regional Chapter of the Women’s Political Caucus

GRBA-LWV president Bobbie Goldstein comments on the purpose of the event, “Running and Winning was conceived to excite and inspire young women in high school about politics. While the League of Women Voters was founded at the time of women’s suffrage over eighty years ago, females who make up 51% of American society, today occupy less then 25% of their state legislatures and only 16% of the Congress. Our aim is to substantially improve those percentages.”

As in its first year, the encore of this popular program was met with unmitigated raves by the young participants, their chaperones and the 17 women in government who were invited to mentor the young women. RBR’s attendees included Amy Berkowitz; Meaghan Collins; Mary Rose Dwyer; Adriana Medina; Hayley Moss Natifa Smith; and Jennifer Palacios. They were chaperoned by RBR guidance counselor Sue Rechel.

RBR representatives at the Running and Winning Forum to promote women’s activism in politics include: Amy Berkowitz; Hayley Moss, Natifa Smith; Adriana Medina, Meaghan Collins; Mary Rose Dwyer Jennifer Palacios and RBR guidance counselor Sue Rechel.

The students and their chaperones arrived at Monmouth Regional’s auditorium foyer bright and early where they picked up their information-rich registration packets and were treated to a continental breakfast courtesy of the Gourmet Picnic in Fair Haven. The girls were then individually photographed by the Monmouth Regional High School Photography Club members and were sub-divided into 15 tables of four participants. Each group was gently guided by an adult facilitator from one of the sponsoring volunteer organizations. For the first ninety minutes, the students were given the opportunity to interview three elected female representatives from local to state government, The teacher chaperones were also active participants in the event, meeting as separate groups with the women in government and facilitators.

RBR counselor Sue Rechel commented, “I enjoyed meeting with my peers and discussing issues with the women in government, they were a very impressive group and I am sure the students were impressed with their accomplishments.”

Rosemarie Peters, the county surrogate told a group of students that her inspiration to first run for public office over 20 years ago came from her involvement with the League of Women Voters. She described her political ascent from Middletown, New Jersey with it’s over 500 municipalities. committee member to rotating deputy mayor and mayor before seeking higher office. She described the different forms of local government that exists in the state of New

The students were fascinated to learn about the personal and professional lives of these admirable women and view the human side of their choices.

RBR student Hayley Moss remarked, “All of these women are great role models. They are not just mayors or senators, but mothers, wives, business owners, and all are well educated.”

Highlands Mayor and former Monmouth County Freeholder Anna Little described her busy life in balancing three children, a law practice and political office.

Highlands Mayor Anna Little discusses her views on women in office with a group of ladies at the recent Running and Winning forum. Pictured with Mayor Little is Sam Sipler of Shore Regional High School. Senator Beck is pictured in the background addressing another group of high school juniors.

She told the ladies, “I have all the restaurants on speed dial, the laundry all goes out and there is no shame.” She added that a very supportive husband makes it all work as he “gets the messages right and keeps the calendar straight.”

She also shared her view on local and federal government believing that an elected official’s allegiance to their constituency should supersede allegiance to their political party. She explained that, as a strong believer in term limits, she was responsible for the recent rotation of power among freeholders at the country level. On the federal level, as a specialist in immigrant law, she believes that is one issue the federal government cannot afford to ignore much longer.

Mrs. Little encouraged the girls to reach for government office stating, “Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back. We can multitask.”

She believes that more elected officials should take on young people as office staff to give them the experience and confidence to seek political office.

RBR student Amy Berkowitz, who came to the workshop with a keen interest in politics, found the program immensely helpful stating, “Not only was it interesting to speak to the women in politics, but I even spoke to the women who work behind the scenes of the political show. Rhoda Chodosh, who worked on the Kim Guadagno’s campaign for Sheriff, told me some ways I could get involved in local politics. That was a real benefit of the workshop.”

For the balance of the program, the girls were given a summary of the elements of a political campaign. Employing this information, they were asked to develop a position on whether or not to support legislative restrictions on the Internet for the protection of young people. An extensive list of the pros and cons that this revolutionary invention has brought to young people was provided. This augmented their already abundant knowledge of this medium, which greatly facilitates but can also harm lives.  Each student assumed various roles of the campaign including candidate, speech writer, campaign manager and publicist. Working through a lunch, courtesy of Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, thoughtful discussion ensued as the students developed their own position on the issue, created a slogan, a promotional poster and a speech, which each candidate gave at an assembly of the entire group.

GRBALWV member Zena Gurman wears the sentiment of the day, “Democracy is NOT a Spectator Sport” during the Running and Winning Forum, a joint venture of numerous political female associations in Monmouth County and spearheaded by the League of Women Voters.

With great poise and acumen the candidates presented their positions to “pretend” Internet concerned constituents in a stump speech for their re-election to the House of Representatives.  Their various slogans were flashed on the giant auditorium screen while their clever and colorful posters were displayed on the stage. The great majority argued for no legislative restriction stressing instead, personal and parental responsibility with slogans that included: Caution –“Responsibility Required,” “You Assess their Access,” “Cut Internet Restriction; Past Freedom” and “Secure Sites Not Teen’s Rights.” Several did campaign for some oversight, primarily through school educational and awareness programs including—“The Internet is Overrated, therefore, get Educated,” and “Mysafe.com.”

RBR student and political active teenager Meaghan Collins, whose group was in the minority opinion, commented, “It is nice to think that everyone will take responsibility and monitor their children’s sites, but it just won’t work that way and people are being victimized by what occurs on the Internet.”

GRBA-LWV Presidents told the ladies, “You have done a fabulous job and we are overwhelmed… If you were not leaders when you arrived, you became leaders today.”

She asked them to become ambassadors to their schools and communities and help implement the educational awareness and responsibility they spoke about. She told them that they were given the tools (in their packets) and connections to make this happen.

In mentioning the inspirational women in government they met she challenged them,

“These women have agreed to become your mentors. Contact them… Just think of yourself as one of those women in politics and become active.”

RBR student Hayley Moss summed up the day’s festivities stating, “I think we need more women like those in our society. Women empowering women, it was an awesome day and I really enjoyed it.”