Women in Power on KFYR-TV North Dakota's NBC News Leader

Women in Power |

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Amanda Tetlak

11/2/2009

Many women have held leadership positions in North Dakota over the years. Sister Thomas Welder at the University of Mary. Heidi Heitkamp in the Attorney Generals Office. But those women have since retired or moved on to other jobs, and they`ve been replaced by men.

These women say it`s probably been a coincidence but there are a couple of reasons why fewer women are in power positions in North Dakota.

Representative RaeAnn Kelsch has been a state legislator for almost 20 years. She says one reason we may be seeing fewer women in power positions is because some women find it difficult to raise a family, have a job, and take on additional roles like state legislator. But she says it can be done.

"If someone could see that I was able to balance my family and balance a job balance the legislature, then maybe they`d say `I can do that too.` But I think that`s what happens. Maybe we`re not as good ambassadors as we should be," says Kelsch.

Other female leaders say it does appear that women are choosing to focus more on their families rather than taking on power positions, but it doesn`t mean that we don`t need women in those roles.

"You look at the University of Mary where Sister Thomas was at the helm for 30 years and I don`t think you could find anyone who couldn`t say how wonderful she is and what great things she did for the University and how much it grew and so we need more women leaders like that," says Nicole Morrison-Mathern, of the Business and Professional Woman`s organization.

And Kelsch says not only to fairly represent North Dakota`s population, but also because women bring a different viewpoint to the table.

"Women look at ideas and look at issues different than our male colleagues do," Kelsch says. "I think probably because we`re multi-taskers. We look at things in a multi-faceted way and so I think it`s good to have that balance."

And both women say the most important thing in whatever women choose to do, they strive to make a difference in people`s lives.

Kelsch says sometimes women who are successful in power positions in North Dakota are likely to move on to other jobs.

An example is Former North Dakota lawmaker, Cathy Rydell who because of her work in the legislature was asked to work for the North Dakota Medical Association.

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