and lecturer said, "It’s the norms of power that
must change." (photo KM)
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Coleen Jarvis, council member, lawyer,
and lecturer said, "It’s the norms of power that must change." (photo KM) |
Jarvis, presenting "Gender, Power, and Politics," told the audience that near and dear to her heart are the rights of women. In preparation for this talk, she had gone through past files of speeches she'd given and research she'd done. After reading to the audience part of a speech she originally gave in 1985, she observed that not much has changed.
"Women need to find their own power where it serves them best," she said. For some this will be politics, but, she said, "I don't want to change me, and I don't want you to change you to become powerful in [politics]." It's important to Jarvis that society change to accept the different ways people get things done, citing differences in the way men and women effect political change. She believes that "we have to go out there and change the norm" of what is expected in politics.
Jarvis believes that women shouldn't be forced to conform to standard male-dominated politics, but instead have the freedom to be themselves. This, she says comes from women claiming their own power. Pointing to her heart, Jarvis said, "Freedom isn't out there—it's in here." But women need to take this power, she explained, "and go further, into boardrooms and elected office."
Jarvis' ability to run for Chico City Council in 1996 came from a few places. She has a partner at home to help care for her two teenage children, who, Jarvis said, "keep her honest." She also praised modern technology, such as cellular phones and pagers. Jarvis explained that these help her keep in touch with her children, which helps set her mind at ease. Without these, Jarvis said she wouldn't be able to make the important decisions demanded of her from her law practice and the city council because she would be worrying about the safety and well being of her children. She didn't feel free to run for the council until she had finished her law degree, that is, until she could support her family in the way she had promised while they were struggling during her law school days.
Jarvis' campaign for the Chico City Council taught her many lessons about the male-dominated political system and made clear to her why many women don't run for office. One of the most difficult hurdles for women is raising money. Jarvis herself raised $17,000 to run, and this, for a small-town campaign. While raising the money, she found her male counterparts having an easier time. This discrepancy is why Jarvis says we need to support campaign reform so all candidates can start from a level playing field, which would give all under-represented people a stronger chance of being elected.
Another lesson Jarvis learned on the campaign trail was that people expected she couldn't manage being a city council member and an engaged parent. Reporters asked what she would do if her kids were sick on the night of the city council meeting. These types of questions weren't asked of her male counterparts.
Jarvis ended by recalling a highlight of her career on the city council. Some colleagues told her that they appreciated her being there and that they had learned from her being there. With a gentle smile, she told the audience, "That alone makes it worth it."
SL