AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – Women in government from across the commonwealth gathered on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Friday night for a discussion on leadership.
The event, hosted by UMass Women into Leadership, was designed to provide a platform for women in government to share their experiences and insights and inspire the next generation of women leaders. A panel of five respected leaders discussed the benefits of pursuing a career in civil service, government, or politics.
The following panelists attended.
- Kim Driscoll, Lieutenant Governor
- Yvonne Hao, Economic Development Administrator
- Melissa Hoffer '91G, Director of Climate Change
- Monica Tibbits Nutt, Secretary of Transportation
- Kate Walsh, Secretary of Health and Human Services
Panelists included Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, who said the event will help address the gender gap in politics. “We're obviously the first female team to lead the federation, so we want to make the case to get more women involved,” Driscoll said. “We know how important it is to have women around the table, whether it's at the corporate table or in Congress, to make decisions that affect people's lives. The more we can widen that gap, the more likely we are to engage a broader audience and get things right.”
She emphasized the importance of internships as a way for women to gain experience and connections in the public service field. Additionally, women should be fearless in sharing their opinions and following their passions, whether it's in areas like climate change or political movements.
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Kayleigh Thomas is a digital reporter who will be part of the 22News team starting in 2022. Follow Kayleigh on X @kayleighctomas Check out her bio to see more of her work.
