Liz Patterson and Barbara Nielsen to be honored

On Friday, May 1, the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics will be honoring former Congresswoman, Liz Patterson, and former State Superintendent of Education, Barbara Nielsen, at the 2009 Leading Women Dinner. Ms. Patterson and Dr. Nielsen will be receiving the organization's first annual Leading Woman Awards to recognize strong women in the state's political history. The cost to attend is $100, $150/couple.

The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics is the only 501(c)(3) certified in the southeast by the IRS whose mission is to encourage and train women to run for political office. The money raised at this event will support the Institute's mission to increase the participation of women in politics in South Carolina.

Liz Patterson is the only female ever elected to the US Congress from South Carolina and she and served from 1987-1993. Ms. Patterson began her political career as staff assistant for US Representative James R. Mann from 1969-1970. She served on the Spartanburg County Council from 1975-1976 and in the South Carolina Senate from 1979-1986.

Barbara Nielsen is the first woman ever elected statewide in South Carolina and served as State Superintendent of Education from 1990-1998. Dr. Nielsen served our state as a teacher and administrator for 45 years and continues to serve as an Advisory Board Member for the SC Association of Charter Schools and as a Consultant. Dr. Nielsen has received numerous awards, including Distinguished Alumni Fellow from the University of Louisville, the Elected State Official Award from the White House Commission on Library and Information Services, and the Nation's "Eminent Educator" award from the Network for Effective Schools.

The dinner will be held on the eve of the Institute's spring Campaign Training School, an all-day workshop intended for prospective candidates and people who want to become more effectively involved in politics. Tickets for the Campaign School are $100. A combination ticket for both the Dinner and the Campaign School can be purchased for $150. Some scholarships are available.

The Institute achieves its objectives by working to increase the pool of female candidates, providing education and training, increasing the visibility of current female candidates and striving to change the public perception of women in political roles. Currently, less than 10% of the elected representatives in South Carolina are women, yet women represent 51% of the state's population.

The deadline for reservations is Saturday, April 26. Tickets and full event details are available through our events page or by contacting Nicki Wilson, Executive Director, at nicki@scelectswomen.com or 803-260-0047. 50% of the cost of the tickets are tax deductible, and proceeds go to support the mission of the Institute. High and low resolution images of the 2009 Leading Women Award recipients are available on our media page along with the Institute logo.