Panel focuses on key issues for female voters

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on October 25, 2016

Women’s voices matter critically at every level of the democratic process: That was the consensus of a nonpartisan panel discussion hosted earlier this month by The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls.

Barbara Mcilwaine Smith (from left), Dorothy McLane, Beverly Mackereth, Carole Rubley, Susan Carty, Kathy Boockvar, and Michelle Legaspi Sanchez join forces to discuss women's issues. — Barbara Mcilwaine Smith (from left), Dorothy McLane, Beverly Mackereth, Carole Rubley, Susan Carty, Kathy Boockvar, and Michelle Legaspi Sanchez join forces to discuss women's issues during a panel discussion.

With suburban Philadelphia being recognized as a battleground this election, the event on Thursday, Oct. 13, focused on the issues that female voters are considering from a variety of perspectives, including elected officials, informed voters, or passionate advocates for a particular cause.

Fifty people joined The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls at the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry for this unprecedented discussion. Barbara McIlvaine Smith, former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, moderated the discussion.

The key issues that were discussed included engagement and representation of women in politics, violence against women and girls, equal pay, and women’s health. The panelists were all women who are leaders in their field and have either held office or have been active in the political process: Susan Carty, League of Women Voters president; Beverly Mackereth, senior government relations specialist; Carole Rubley, independent environmental services professional; Kathy Boockvar, executive director of Lifecycle WomanCare; and Dorothy McLane, state president of the American Association of University Women.

Barbara Mcilwaine Smith (left) moderates a bipartisan forum on women's issues hosted by the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls.

Michelle Legaspi Sanchez, executive director of The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, said she was proud to have brought together such an impressive group of women.

“Their energy, passion, and respect for each other’s differences were inspiring and refreshing,” said Sanchez. “Judging by the feedback we received on the event, we know others felt the same way. We are committed to providing more opportunities for women in our communities to be educated on the issues of the day in a way that’s meaningful to them.”