More News

The female-to-male ratio on this year's ballot is 8-to-18 and when the female candidates were asked how much that mattered, the individual answers from the candidates made up a unified response: It doesn't.

Though they're entering the predominantly male realm of city politics, some of this year's female candidates share just as much psychologically as they do biologically in that the majority of them say that if they are entering a man's world, they haven't noticed, or have adjusted to living in it.

Many of them have been in careers where they have touched shoulders, competed against and worked together with their male counterparts, as many of them say that as they vie for public office this year, their approaches will be no different.

The women of this year's city election share their views on sharing a predominantly male ballot this year:

‘A cake walk'

Kelly Russell arguably knows more than most what it's like to be one of the guys. The Democratic candidate and retiree from the Frederick Police Department began moving up a male dominated ladder very quickly during her 22 years there, making sergeant in just five years and retiring a lieutenant.

She took on a male mentality, but dropped it when she found that it wasn't necessary, Russell said.

"I was met with great resistance because I rose very quickly and acted like a man," she said. "I learned that my style didn't have to be like a man's to be effective. I didn't have to have the same boisterous and commanding presence to be effective."

Her experiences in law enforcement have afforded her a seasoned perspective as she entered the political ring this year, she said. "In politics, you have to have a thick skin," she said. "And you develop a thick skin after being bitten and spit on. So running for office is a cake walk."

‘I see everyone

as a competitor'

Aside from being a female candidate, Amanda Haddaway assumes that she may have double hurdles to jump as one of the youngest candidates on this year's ballot.

"I'm not intimidated. I work in a predominantly male industry and I'm very comfortable," Haddaway said. "I am also one of the younger candidates and I hope that my skills and experience will speak for themselves."

Haddaway, who works in the construction industry, said that some of the media coverage of the three prominent female politicians in the city in the last two administrations has prepared her to take on her political endeavor knowing that she has some misconceptions to navigate.

"There are a few women in politics that have gotten a bad rap, and I'm not sure that's always fair or accurate" Haddaway said.

Haddaway, a Republican, said she has turned to some of the other female candidates, and past and present female politicians for guidance during her campaign, and they have embraced her.

But even in the graciousness, Haddaway said that she doesn't lose sight of what's at stake among the male and female candidates. "I see everyone as a competitor," she said.

‘My being a female never was a part of the equation'

Republican aldermanic candidate Shelley Aloi admits that she hadn't thought about being a "female candidate" until she was asked what it was like to be one. Aptly, the trained scientist and mathemetician, sized up the question by aptly responding:

"My being a female never was a part of the equation to limit me in any way, shape or form."

In addition to her educational training and career field being one traditionally male, the martial arts teacher said that her recreational activities have also been in a male-dominated arena. "I think I'm just acquainted with that atmosphere," she said. "I don't feel more or less empowered. I just love what I do."

‘Listen, little missy…'

Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D), who is running for a fourth term this year, remembers vividly when a finger wagged in her face after she challenged a prominent male figure in her second term. She was told: "Listen ‘little missy,' you don't run this place, I run this place."

But Kuzemchak, who admitted she has had her share of warranted and unwarranted media thrashings, said she believes that today is a new day for women in politics.

"I don't think it's as pervasive as it is when I first took office," she said. "These days, I really don't think it's a difference between male and female candidates."

But, women still should be wary of their approach, she cautioned. "If a woman doesn't act what is labeled as lady-like, they are put in a hole, and to come out of that hole is near impossible."

‘I've been there all my life'

When asked if she had any qualms about entering the male-dominated world of politics, Democratic candidate Karen Lewis Young, has an all-encompassing response: "Absolutely not — I have been there all my life."

Young, who has been a part of the corporate business world since 1977, said that years ago she had more to prove to her predominantly male counterparts, but doesn't think politics holds that pressure now. "I feel confident that today neither candidates nor public officials are evaluated on their gender."

Ironically, Young, said that she has observed that females have more to prove to other women.

"My observation, is that women still need to learn how to network better, and women should be more generous in mentoring each other. That's still the advantage that men have."

‘The Alderwoman'

Senitta Conyers, Republican aldermanic candidate, identifies herself as running for "Alderwoman," and wants to ensure that others do the same.

"I want people to realize that there is a big difference, that's why I call myself alderwoman. Things are different. It's not the same thing. I feel empowered by that," she said.

Conyers said it is very important to her to distinguish herself in the race because she is not only a female candidate, but also an African-American.

"I think that it's important to have strong women out in the forefront, so that young women can say, ‘I want to do that.'"

‘You'd think there are those barriers out there…'

Aldermanic Democratic candidate Carol Krimm has been the eyes, ears and voice for both male and female state politician for the last 10 years — and they all function the same, she said.

"I don't feel out of place anywhere," Krimm said. "I don't feel inhibited. I don't measure my words because I'm a woman. Because when I speak, I speak from fact, knowledge and experience."

Krimm, who currently works on the legislative staff for Del.Galen Clagett (D-Dist. 3A), said that even when she has to represent him in his absence or assist him in his presence at meetings, she is treated the same way.

In her campaigning, she has also been embraced by the electorate, she said. "I don't know if people open up the door because I am a woman or a man, but I certainly have had a great response from people. You'd think there are those barriers out there, but I haven't run into them."

‘Just show up prepared'

It's no secret that Frederick's first female mayor Jennifer Dougherty had her tussles with the males during her last administration (2001-2005). In fact, the Democrat still bears the brunt of those conflicts as she makes another run for office. But, she said, having a strong female presence in this year's race helps to ease the preconceptions.

"You don't change stereotypes in a year or in a term," she said. "But, I think the public sees the women who are running now as very qualified, informed, even opinionated. This is a nice trend we see — for women to stand up and say, ‘This is who I am.'"

That doesn't mean that being who you are as a female politician is always embraced, she said.

"It's a challenge to be a woman candidate," Dougherty said. "[The public] want their elected officials to be tough, but they have a different expectation that their female politicians should be warm and fuzzy."

As Dougherty faces five men on the mayoral ballot this year, she said has acquired the perfect skills to offset any intimidation.

"You realize that there's no reason to be intimidated by others. Just show up prepared."