The panel discussion "The Politics of Women in Politics" will take place on March 21st at Edinboro University. The panelists include Margie Omero from Purple Insights, Susan Woodland from the National Organization for Women, and Tina Mengine from Edinboro University. They will share their experiences of challenges women face in politics and how women operate differently than men in political strategies and legislating. The panel aims to provide insight into how gender impacts politics and will be free and open to the public.

1. March 8, 2016
‘The Politics of Women in Politics’
panel to speak at Edinboro University
EDINBORO, Pa. – Edinboro University’s Women’s History Month celebration,
which examines the past and explores current issues facing women, continues with
a panel discussion, “The Politics of Women in Politics,” on March 21 at 6 p.m. in
Compton Hall 107A.
The panelists will be:
• Margie Omero, managing director of Purple Insights, the client research division
of Purple Strategies, a political marketing firm in Washington, D.C.
• Susan Woodland, president of the northwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the
National Organization for Women (NOW) and vice president of the American
Civil Liberties Union’s regional chapter
• Tina Mengine, vice president for Advancement at EU, who previously was chief
of staff for former U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper.

2. The panelists will draw from their personal and professional experience of how
women work with and in the current political structure. They’ll speak about the
challenges and obstacles women face when deciding to run for political office,
when campaigning for election, and when winning the race.
The panel will provide insight on how women operate behind the scenes and in the
public eye, as well as how and why the politics that women employ and have to
deal with are different than the political strategies men tend to use.
“Having worked in Washington, it’s clear that women think and legislate
differently than men, and having a gender balance brings a new perspective to
issues,” Mengine said. “Women tend to collaborate more. As we face difficult
issues and extraordinary partisanship and divisiveness, having more women in
elected office can only help.”
Mengine, who also served as chief of staff to former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi, has
more than two decades of experience in marketing and communications in the
nonprofit and political sectors. She was awarded 2007 Women Making History
recognition by the Mercy Center for Women, which recognizes strong women of
character in the community who overcame adversity.

3. Woodland helps to run and provides leadership for Pennsylvania NOW, which is
part of the largest feminist political organization in the country. According to the
Pennsylvania NOW website, the grassroots organization has more than 13,000
members and 20 local chapters around the state to help promote and bring about
equal rights for women.
Omero’s specialty is understanding how moms use corporate status and influence
to impact purchasing decisions.
She is a writer, commentator and speaker who is co-host of the podcast “The
Pollsters” and has appeared on CNN’s “The Situation Room,” Fox News
Network’s “The O’Reilly Factor,” and NPR’s “Diane Rehm Show.” Omero was
named a “Mover and a Shaker” by Campaigns and Elections magazine and was
recognized as a “Politico to Watch” by Politico because of her political activism in
speeches to elected officials and students.
“The Politics of Women in Politics” is free and open to the public. For more
information on this and other Women’s History Month events, please visit EU
Event Calendar: http://events.edinboro.edu/.

4. -EU-
This communication is sent from Edinboro University's Communications Office.
University Communications Office contact information:
University Communications and Marketing
814.732.2193
www.edinboro.edu/news
Jeffrey Hileman
Director for University Communications
814.732.1333
(c) 814.969.3334
jhileman@edinboro.edu
John Mitchell
Manager of Communications
814.732.1793
jmitchell@edinboro.edu