Public Health students gain inspiration, insight from West Virginia Legislature
On March 10, 1920, West Virginia became the 34th state in the Union to vote in favor of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, acknowledging women’s right to vote. By August of 1920, 36 states ratified the amendment making it law. As we approach the 100th anniversary of this important milestone for women, the West Virginia Legislature welcomed female visitors from across the state for a day at the Capitol.
Traveling from campus in Morgantown, eight women representing the West Virginia University School of Public Health made their way to Charleston in January for the annual Women’s and Girls’ Day at the West Virginia Legislature. This year’s session honored the centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment with the theme “Our Voices, Our Vote.”
Throughout the daylong event, attendees were able to visit with legislators, observe legislative sessions and tour the Capitol and WV Culture Center. During a luncheon, the women heard from First Lady Cathy Justice, Secretary of State Mac Warner and Director of Elections Brittany Westfall. The day’s activities were designed for women “to learn to lead, govern and have a voice in their communities.”
The event had that exact effect on undergraduate student Samantha Wilson.
“This event was the first time I had been to the state Capitol and it made me feel more comfortable about watching a session in the future,” Wilson said. “I'm really interested in health policy and I want to make a difference through advocacy and helping to get issues passed that will make vulnerable populations healthier.”
The students were able to travel to the event thanks to support from the Department of Health Policy, Management and Leadership and faculty organizers Assistant Professor Lindsay Allen, PhD, MA, and Assistant Professor Danielle Davidov, PhD.
“As a department of health policy, we are always looking for ways to bring the policy process to life for our Public Health students,” Allen said. “Classroom learning is essential, but this opportunity to watch bills become laws that will affect West Virginia residents, brings an invaluable new perspective. Students are able to visualize where they might make a difference in the policy process, especially after networking with legislators.”
After attending the event, students were inspired to get involved.
“Several of the students who attended the event are now working side-by-side with legislators on bills that could become law in West Virginia,” Allen added.
Once the students spent the day learning about the legislative process and how to get involved, the group also had the opportunity to participate in a mock election featuring an opportunity for them to talk about issues important to West Virginia women. This year, the group chose to engage in a debate about health and family well-being.
Taking a cue from this group of West Virginia women, political candidates would be ahead to deepen their understanding about issues important to women. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the proportion of eligible female adults who have voted in every presidential election since 1980 has exceeded the proportion of eligible male adults who voted. And electing women leaders could be good for public health. A study found that women cosponsor the most healthcare legislation, and tend to focus on education, civil rights and social welfare.
“Developing health-promoting policy requires that all perspectives be represented in the policy-making process,” Allen explained. “Though women make up a majority of public health students, they are still in the minority when it comes to legislative bodies. Women’s voices – especially those representing intersectional feminism – are essential inputs to creating health policy that moves health for all populations forward.”
-WVU-
jdw/02/20/2020
CONTACT: Nikky Luna
WVU School of Public Health
304.293.1699; nikky.luna@hsc.wvu.edu