LANSING – On February 12, hundreds of professional women from many different fields came together for Under the Dome, a political get together that could evolve from a meet-and-greet to year-round networking between business and political women in Michigan.
Sponsored by Inforum and Dome Magazine, the day-long event started at the Capitol and ended with a reception in Downtown Lansing at Troppo Restaurant. It was a perfect pairing since Dome Magazine reports on people, issues, and events and Inforum connects professional women leaders across the State. One of the program?s goals was to raise the profiles of women leaders in public service. The event also encouraged women in business to learn about the political process and draw parallels to their careers.
The event started at the Capitol, home of Michigan?s 97th Legislature, with an optional historical tour of the building or a behind the scene look at the daily operations. After the tours, the group congregated in the Rotunda for remarks from Governor Rick Snyder, Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmar, and Senator Rebekah Warren.
Inforum President and CEO Terry Barclay offered a warm welcome and announced that Inforum was planning to take the Under the Dome concept and evolve it from a one-day event to a year-round practice of networking between political and business women. She pointed out that Michigan is at a 20-year low for women representation in the Legislature. Today, only four of the 38 Senate seats and 24 of 110 House members are women. That is why, she said, it needs to be less intimidating for women to run and to work with women in politics.
The Rotunda address from Snyder encouraged women in public service roles. He spoke of a handful of impactful women leaders in our Michigan and their ability to make a difference with examples. After complimentary commentary about these many women, he spoke about the great programs in Michigan that encourage women, increases in Michigan?s agricultural progress, community participation, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math support. Snyder also made time for a meet and greet with the crowd after the speech.
The Rotunda women speakers stressed the importance of STEM to the next generation and how we need to encourage young women to consider careers in these fields. They believe successful women leaders use their natural ability to balance in the workplace to prioritize work and get things done. Warren said, ?when we support, mentor, and network with each other, it is the most important thing we can do.? The female leaders that spoke set the scene for the evening of networking and definitely encouraged more women to run for office.
After the tours, the group gathered at Troppo where they met state and Local representatives in a casual setting. Each legislative leader in attendance was introduction given the opportunity to comment on the topic of women and leadership. The entire area was packed full or powerful government and business leaders who shared ideas, and made important connections.
Inforum is a great organization for all professional women to look into to broaden their network and for a variety of valuable services for women leaders. They have a broad span of professionals across the State, a non-partisan focus on awareness and strategic connections, and collaborate with other organizations that specialize in recruiting, training, and advocacy.
For more information on Inforum, click on InforumMichigan.Org
Associate Editor Nicole Johnson leads MITechNews.Com?s efforts to foster STEM education, as well as provides coverage for her fellow women in computing. If you have a story idea for Nicole, email [email protected]
