The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: FRANNIE FABIAN Nancy Denson (left), county tax commissioner, and Gwen O'Looney, former Athens mayor, speak about women in politics. [Click to enlarge]

Female political leaders spoke Wednesday about experiences climbing the ladder in a male-dominated political arena.

The Young Democrats hosted former Athens mayor and CEO Gwen O'Looney and the County Tax Commissioner Nancy Denson in a discussion about women in politics.

The two women shared their experiences of being the first women in their positions.

Both women said they did not plan to get involved in politics.

Denson, a resident of Athens for 42 years and University alumna, said inappropriate zoning led her to join her neighborhood association. When other members encouraged her to run for city council, she declined.

"I told them I don't have time," she said. "I have four kids and a business I run from home."

She changed her mind and began campaigning before she realized there had never been a woman on the city council before, she said.

"I remember I was knocking on doors," recalled Denson laughing. "A guy said, 'You're good looking enough, can you handle it?'"

When Denson resigned from city council to run for Tax Commissioner, O'Looney ran for Denson's former position.

"Everyone said, 'I don't think a woman can win,'" O'Looney said. "They said, 'right now we don't think a black or a woman can win.'"

But, O'Looney won.

Danielle Schramin, a junior from Cumming, said she was happy to hear about their experiences.

"When you are in a system where all you see is men, it is discouraging, but when you see women like Hillary [Clinton] and Gwen they tell you there's room for you too," she said.

However, Denson told the audience there are still issues women in politics have to face.

"When women play hardball, they are called bitches, but when men do, they are called strong," she said.

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