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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Voters send record number of women to state legislatures nationwide

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Monday, December 9, 2024   

A record number of women will serve in legislatures nationwide in 2025.

More than 2,400 women will hold state legislative offices, representing more than 33% of the available seats. In New Hampshire, women's representation decreased in both the House and Senate but the state still ranks fifteenth in the nation for statehouse gender parity.

Jean Sinzdak, associate director of the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, said the trend is still moving in the right direction.

"We need to see bigger jumps in terms of the numbers of women running and then getting elected in order to get closer to parity," Sinzdak asserted. "We're certainly making progress but there's a ways to go."

Sinzdak argued when women run for office, they win, which is good for democracy. She pointed out research shows women are more likely to build consensus among lawmakers and work across the aisle.

The election of Republican Kelly Ayotte as New Hampshire's next governor means a record 13 women will serve as a state chief executive next year, including Maine Gov. Janet Mills and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy. Sinzdak emphasized the women serve as role models for other women to run for public office but added recruitment efforts for women candidates are still lacking.

She noted caregiving responsibilities often prevent women from running, along with the double standard they face from the public.

"Voters want them to be likeable as well as tough," Sinzdak observed. "Whereas for a lot of male candidates, they don't necessarily need to be likable they just need to be seen as being able to do the job."

Sinzdak added women bring their unique life experiences to the job. In New Hampshire, women lawmakers are pushing for reproductive freedom, affordable child care and housing. The gains for women in statehouses nationwide come as Vice President Kamala Harris failed in her effort to become the first woman president, although she did win New Hampshire.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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