Benefits for Women Who Run and Serve in Public Elected Office

American democracy is grounded in the idea of representation. However, the lack of women running for and serving in elected roles (and the systems, processes, and culture that keep them from doing so) prevents our communities from reaping the benefits of men and women working together toward the greater good. Likewise, it prevents women from enjoying the benefits of serving in those roles. Our research suggests that women in elected roles experience a wealth of benefits as a result of their campaign and service. In this article, we will highlight the benefits that these women have experienced and the importance of encouraging women to run.

Background

In the summer of 2020, I worked with researchers Candice B. Pierucci and Dr. April Townsend on an in-depth qualitative research study to collect data from 118 current and former female elected officials to learn more about the experiences of women in elected public office. Although we focused on elected officials in Utah, the results should be interesting for people in other states within the US and beyond. Data were collected through an online survey designed to capture the experiences of women running for and serving in public office.

Results

When the survey participants were asked what benefits they experienced running for and serving in public office, they provided a variety of responses. The top three responses were as follows:

• To form relationships and build their network: 62.7%
• To continually learn and increase their understanding of procedural processes: 55.1%
• To influence policy change and, in so doing, give back to their communities: 48.3%

In addition to these top responses, participants also reported the following benefits:

• Involving their children and/or partners or spouses in the process of running and serving: 11.9%
• Increased confidence: 9.3%
• Setting an example for others to follow: 8.5%

These benefits illustrate the positive impact that running for and serving in elected office has on women, their families, and their communities. As the United States works toward increasing female representation in elected offices, we should take these factors into account. We can do our part by encouraging more women to run for elected office, being a mentor or sponsor for women who run, supporting and advocating for women candidates, and supporting the leadership development of young women and girls.

Conclusion

There are many things to consider when making the decision to run for an elected office. When female candidates enter politics with a clear understanding of the challenges and benefits that other elected officials have experienced, they are better prepared with strategies and the necessary support to address issues and concerns they might encounter. We believe that understanding the benefits of running and serving will outweigh the risks and challenges that may emerge. The full report, “Perceptions of Women Elected Officials in Utah: Challenges, Benefits, and Lessons Learned,” can be located at the link provided. can be located at the link provided. Additional Utah, US, and global research on women can be found here.  

Dr. Susan R. Madsen is a global thought leader, author, speaker, and scholar on the topic of women and leadership. She is also the Inaugural Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Thanks to researchers Candice B. Pierucci and Dr. April Townsend for their contributions to this article.