Our View - Wanted: Women For Select Board

We were saddened to learn last week of Mary Anderson’s decision to leave the Harwich Select Board, mid-term. We found her to be a moderating voice of reason on the board, and know she weighed her decision carefully before stepping down. But Anderson left us with a parting wish.

She’d like to see more women seek election to the town’s top office. We would, too.

Don’t get us wrong. Effective civic leaders — like ineffective ones — come in any gender. When we think back on the female board members that have served our towns, we remember powerful voices like Chatham’s Florence Seldin and Orleans’ Margie Fulcher. There were many before them, and a number currently serving, including Anderson’s able colleague, Julie Kavanagh.

Select boards wield mighty influence over a community’s priorities, steering taxpayer money to various initiatives, cheerleading key projects and appointing committee members who carry out much of the town’s day-to-day work. Communities are not well represented when their leadership is weighted in favor of men.

It’s a big ask for any citizen to volunteer for town committees, much less the select board. And we appreciate every volunteer who does so, even when we might have a different point of view on a given issue. But for women, many of whom struggle to be heard in male-dominated work or home environments, it’s that much more difficult. As Anderson pointed out, young women often face the added challenge of raising children and caring for aging parents while working, leaving little time for civics.

Fortunately, those who are willing to give it a try have many successful role models to follow, and our guess is that many sitting board members would be glad to offer their advice. In another demonstration of her commitment to the town and the public process, Anderson has offered to mentor would-be candidates seeking her seat.

It’s up to us to foster and support women leaders in town government, and to continue to abandon the age when our communities were led only by “selectmen.”