Registration is now closed for the Women in Politics Event.

Please join the LAM Networking Group to watch live. 


Hear from these leaders, and their first-hand accounts of what it's like to be a female-identifying public servant in Hawai'i at the State level, the challenges and triumphs experienced, and, most importantly, why we need more women in public office.


A LIVE (VIRTUAL) DISCUSSION ABOUT

WHY WE NEED MORE EQUALITY IN POLITICS

JOIN HERE

Registration is now closed for the Women in Politics Event.

Please join the LAM Networking Group to watch live. 


Hear from these leaders, and their first-hand accounts of what it's like to be a female-identifying public servant in Hawai'i at the State level, the challenges and triumphs experienced, and, most importantly, why we need more women in public office.


A LIVE (VIRTUAL) DISCUSSION ABOUT

WHY WE NEED MORE EQUALITY IN POLITICS

JOIN HERE

Ladies Artisan Market is delighted to invite you to join us as we honor

Women’s Equality Day


With A Talk Story Event with local lady leaders from Hawaii Island

This is a women-only, free, non-partisan, virtual event via Zoom

August 25, 2021

7:00-8:30 PM

Moderating this powerful discussion will be 

Shannon Matson

Ladies Artisan Market is delighted to invite you to join us as we honor

Women’s Equality Day


With A Talk Story Event with local lady leaders from Hawaii Island

This is a women-only, free, non-partisan, virtual event via Zoom

August 25, 2021

7:00-8:30 PM

Local Community Organizer and former candidate for State House in Upper Puna/Volcano.

The Panel

The Panel

Laura Acasio of Hilo

State Senator

Joy A. San Buenaventura of Puna

State Senator

Senator Lorraine Inouye

State Senator

Nicole E. Lowen of Kailua-Kona

State House Representative

Jeanné Kapela of South Kona/Ka'ū

State House Representative

Do not miss out on this incredible opportunity to participate in an intimate discussion about

how you can get involved

in the process to make positive change in local politics AND ask questions of these amazing Big Island Lady Leaders!

JOIN HERE

Do not miss out on this incredible opportunity to participate in an intimate discussion about

how you can get involved

in the process to make positive change in local politics AND ask questions of these amazing Big Island Lady Leaders!

JOIN HERE

Why is this discussion important to have?


To ensure the most equitable and highest quality decision-making possible, every governing body, whether elected or appointed, needs to reflect the community it’s responsible to represent. The best decision-making for the whole will come about only when the diversity of the community is represented in its governing institutions.

We are a long way from that equitable place. Current Hawai’i lawmakers gender identification percentages at the State level stand at:

  • 50% U.S. Senate: 1 woman, 1 man
  • 0% U.S. House: 2 men
  • 0% Governor and Lieutenant Governor: 2 men
  • 36% State Senate: 9 women, 16 men - 25 total
  • 31% State House of Representatives: 16 women, 35 men- 51 total

*The above info is from references within official State websites.

Why is this discussion important to have?


To ensure the most equitable and highest quality decision-making possible, every governing body, whether elected or appointed, needs to reflect the community it’s responsible to represent. The best decision-making for the whole will come about only when the diversity of the community is represented in its governing institutions.

We are a long way from that equitable place. Current Hawai’i lawmakers gender identification percentages at the State level stand at:

  • 50% U.S. Senate: 1 woman, 1 man
  • 0% U.S. House: 2 men
  • 0% Governor and Lieutenant Governor: 2 men
  • 36% State Senate: 9 women, 16 men - 25 total
  • 31% State House of Representatives: 16 women, 35 men- 51 total

*The above info is from references within official State websites.

Notably, on Hawai'i Island our State House Representation is only 2 women, out of 7 available seats.

In other words: 71% male represented.

It has been said that the Hawai'i State House is notoriously where good bills go to die.

It is an undeniable fact that decision-making occurs through the lens of the decision-maker.

White cisgender men view the world through an entirely different lens than that of (literally *anyone* else embodying *any* other identity). Whether the lens is of one of class, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, ability, or other unique life circumstances - each individual makes decisions grounded in their own life experience.

Yes, many men do their best to understand the perspective of others, to empathize, and attempt to make good and thoughtful decisions accordingly. But an uncomfortable truth is that unless they have walked in their shoes, they cannot truly understand, nor can they truly view the same world as those who come from a wholly different place in life.

Thus, the importance of a shift in the demographics of this legislative body cannot be overstated.

What can we do to address this?

What can we do to address this?

We need to elect more women to public office at all levels - Statewide.**


As stated so eloquently by the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”

Why does this matter now? 

Why does this matter now? 

The 2022 elections are right around the corner. Ballots will be placed into the mail for early Primary Election voting less than 11 months from now. All of the State seats listed above will be up for election.

Making that first step into the political arena can be a daunting bridge to cross.


The amount of resistance that women, people of color, LGBTQ+, differently-abled individuals encounter when deciding to run for office is one of the major barriers to making that leap. Come hear from those that have lived it, and are living it about how you, too, can step into your place of power and make a positive change for your community, either by supporting a candidate that aligns with your values or choosing to run yourself. There are many opportunities to gain the knowledge needed to run for office, really what it takes is sheer will and commitment to do the work!

*Mahalo to former Senator Gary Hooser from Kauai for his inspiring writing on the topic of women in politics.

To see a fantastic example of men supporting this movement, check out his blog at: garyhooser.com

“They’ll tell you that you’re too loud, that you need to wait your turn and ask the right people for permission. Do it anyway.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

 

** While we are focusing on more women in public office in honor of Women’s Equality Day,

LAM also resoundingly acknowledges and supports the need for more diverse representation in public office reflecting all intersections of identity in our communities such as our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ citizens.

JOIN HERE

** While we are focusing on more women in public office in honor of Women’s Equality Day, LAM also resoundingly acknowledges and supports the need for more diverse representation in public office reflecting all intersections of identity in our communities such as our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ citizens.

JOIN HERE