Page - Fowler Series

When I reflect on the trips that we have made as part of the Tillie Fowler Excellence in Public Service Series, two words come to mind: EMPOWERMENT and ENERGY.

The ladies (Lieutenant Governor Jennings, Representative Jennifer Carroll, Carole Jean Jordan, Sandra Mortham, Gail Cooper, Christina Sheppard, Celeste Lewis) who so very generously gave us some of their very valuable time on the trip to Tallahassee epitomize these two words. In their discussions about the different roads that each of them traveled to get to where they are today they gave us invaluable information. I came away from those meetings empowered and energized.

Suggestions for the Tallahassee trip for future participants in the Tillie Fowler Series:

If you know the itinerary before you go, prepare several questions that you would like to ask each speaker.

Even if you are not sure of the itinerary prepare some questions about the political process, the Republican Party and/or just running for office in general.

Review the hierarchy of the Republican Party of Florida before you go.

Take a couple of dark business suits and comfortable shoes.

Take a lot of business cards.

Learn and enjoy!

The trip to Washington D.C. was a whirlwind of participation in a White House Briefing; a Press Conference for the UP or DOWN VOTE on the Judicial Nominees; tours of the Capitol, the Cannon Building, the White House, the many monuments for former leaders and service people; meetings with Congressman Crenshaw and his staff and with Congresswoman Harris and her staff.

Of all the events in which we participated, a couple of them really stand out in my mind. One was attending the meetings with over 200 women who like me are interested in the future of our wonderful country. Every speaker we heard talked about the energy present in the room. One could actually feel the energy and the vitality in the room. I was extremely proud and honored to be a part of this wonderful group of American Women.

The other event occurred on our tour of the Capitol. Jeremiah Sadow, the young man from Congressman Crenshaw’s office who so graciously gave up some of his valuable time to give us a tour of the Capitol, pointed out one of the few statues of women in the Capitol. This is the statue commemorating Women’s Suffrage by depicting 3 women from history and one unfinished part of the statue. This unfinished part is reserved for the first Woman President of the United States and indicates that Women’s Suffrage is ongoing. Ladies, that makes us ALL a part of that history of Women’s Suffrage. So let’s stretch out our wings and fly with the eagles.

Suggestions for the Washington D.C. trip for future participants in the Tillie Fowler Series:

Meet and share stories with as many of the women from the other states as you can. Exchange business cards.

Again, prepare questions ahead of time to ask the speakers.

Have your picture made in front of the Women’s Suffrage Statue in the Capitol.

Research the area before you go and plan an itinerary with other members of your group for your “free time”.

Take a couple of dark business suits and comfortable shoes.

Take a lot of business cards.

Be prepared: Take plenty of cash for food and cabs (you will be reimbursed).

Take a digital camera, if you have one.

Learn and enjoy!

The classes that we attended on campaign planning, speech preparation (writing and presenting), publicity, and fund raising were excellent. One of the most valuable pieces of information about running for office was to be aware of what is going on around you at all times and remember, when you are wearing a microphone---it is always on! We heard from leaders in their fields such as, John F. Casey, Kerry McCarthy, Barry Plans, Cindy Burgin, Shannon Hewett, Pat Bailey, Anne Voss, Bev Kilmer, and Leslie Waters. Thanks to all of them for giving of their valuable time to enhance the Tillie Fowler Series.

Suggestions for future participants of the classes of the Tillie Fowler Series.

Take lots of notes.

Think about being on camera when you decide what to wear when giving your speech.

Ask your questions while you have the attention of the experts in their fields.

Final Thoughts:

I am so proud to have been one of the women selected to participate in the first class of the Tillie Fowler Series. Thank you to the Board of Governors for giving me this opportunity. I plan to give back to the series by using what I was taught to serve Florida and the Republican Party.