Williams says when she associates with people on a daily basis, she tries to be warm, bubbly and personable.

When she runs meetings, however, she says she likes to get down to business. Because of this, she says, sometimes people are intimidated by her.

campaigning pains
While women are leaping ahead in many fields, they remain behind in areas of the political arena.

“In the university, there are more females,” Samuelson says. “It’s kind of odd that in the USS office, I’m the only one.”

A reason for this, Samuelson says, is the nature of the campaigning period where the candidates put themselves up for public scrutiny and have stereotypes attached to them.

An open forum was held during the campaign, where audience members were able to question the candidates. Questions given to other candidates concerned fiscal policy, party affiliation and choices in politics.

Samuelson, however, was offended when she heard her question: How should a woman run her campaign?

“How should a woman run her campaign?” Samuelson says. “Well, exactly like a man should.”

The question had been written anonymously and chosen by the election board specifically for Samuelson. She and her campaign adviser then filed a complaint against the board for its question.

“I thought I handled [the question] very well,” Samuelson says, adding that these types of questions only further stereotypes.

But Dubick says women do not seem to have much interest in running for USS. Only four women campaigned for the last election.

Kent State President Carol Cartwright says she would like to see more women run.

“It begins with interested women willing to step forth and indicate that they are interested in the position,” Cartwright says. “You can’t elect them if they are not willing to get nominated or put themselves forward.”

Williams says what is happening in terms of gender differences in USS is a microcosm of a trend in state, local and national politics.
“It’s a pretty accurate reflection on politics in general,” Williams says. “It’s not just what you look like or what you say. You have to add a catchy slogan in order to catch people’s attention.”

times have changed
During Cartwright’s path to presidency, she says she had many role models.

They were all men.

“The path I took was typical, except there are not many women who are able to pursue it,” Cartwright says. “There are very few women across the nation who have managed to take that final step into the presidency of a very large public institution.”