Women in Politics - Part 2 - Selecting a Party
by ROCHELLE A. SHENK

Each political party has its own philosophy. While there are two main political parties (Republican and Democratic), there are also a number of Independent parties including the Libertarian Party, the Green Party (Ralph Nader ran for president in 1996 and 2000 on this ticket), and the Reform Party founded in 1995 by billionaire businessman (and presidential candidate) H. Ross Perot.

Two local female politicians-Helen Adams and Molly Henderson-provided some insight to their choice of party as well as their political careers. Helen Adams, a Republican, is serving her second term as a Lancaster Township Supervisor, and Molly Henderson, a Democrat, is serving her first term as Lancaster County Commissioner. "Government is about people; women know a lot about people and relating to others. It's important for women to become more involved in their community, but a lot of them are waiting to be asked. Don't wait; just volunteer," Henderson urged.

She noted that she had a lot of people who were willing to help her out and show her the ropes. "It's important to learn the workings of whatever organization you're in, whether it's politics, business or anything else," she remarked.

Henderson noted that she has not seen gender as an issue in her political career. "I feel that I'm qualified for the job and if people, no matter who they are, are qualified and present themselves in that manner, gender should not be an issue," she said.

She explained that she chose to become affiliated with the Democratic party from her background (career, education and parents). "I fit in better with this party; it mirrors what I believe in," she said.

Adams explained that she moved to Lancaster County in 1960 and registered as a Republican. "I do generally subscribe to the tenets of the Republican party. I'm a moderate Republican with somewhat liberal leanings," she remarked.

Prior to serving as a Lancaster Township Supervisor for nearly 12 years, Adams served on the township's planning commission. "That's a marvelous place to learn about how local government works and about your local community," she said. She also serves as a Lancaster Township Republican committeewoman. She admitted that what prompted her to run for political office is the fact that she was coordinator for a Women in Politics course, a now-defunct 13-week college credit non-partisan course sponsored by the YWCA and Millersville University's Center for Politics. All the instructors of this course were volunteers, and as coordinator, it was Adams' task to find those volunteers. "That course was designed to inform women about how to become involved in the political process. I decided that if I were part of a course about women in politics, I ought to put my money where my mouth is and become involved myself," she explained.

In 1992, when she decided to run for Supervisor, she went before the Lancaster Township Republican committee to seek their endorsement. She didn't receive it, but decided to run for Supervisor anyway. "I ran a very public campaign and was upfront about my position on the issues," she said. Henderson explained that what a party's endorsement means to the candidate is that she or he has been enlisted to represent like-minded individuals and the basic principals of the party-it's a responsibility to the party.

Adams noted that politics on a local level tends to focus more on local issues than party affiliation. She explained that she doesn't look at things through a party perspective, but examines issues and candidates for their merits. "I have a certain allegiance to a party, but I've never pulled the party lever {in a voting booth}-I look at each candidate and his or her positions," she said.

Henderson agreed that local government isn't as much about politics as state or federal government is. "The biggest surprise I've had as a commissioner is that party often doesn't play a big role in what we do. I do represent the minority voice but we do the day-to-day work of running the county government. However, there are absolutely times when a political perspective is apparent and necessary," she explained.

In making decisions, Henderson noted that she likes to have all the facts, as well as input from her "counselors." "Decisions should be made based on the best information that's available and the best advice you can get from people you consider your counselors. You need to be as consistent in your decision-making process as possible. If you make decisions based on political expediency {with thoughts of will I get re-elected if you vote this way}, you've compromised yourself and your integrity, and you'll begin to question your own judgment," she stressed.

During Adams' first campaign for Lancaster Township Supervisor, a Millersville "by-pass" using Wabank Road was a hotly contested issue in Lancaster Township. "That road had several sharp curves and was in no shape to carry the extra traffic. We've made improvements to the road over the years, but it still wouldn't be a viable 'by-pass,'" she said. Also, she is dedicated to open space. "When an issue involving open space comes up, everyone knows where I stand-I look to preserve what we can and urge developers to create open space in plans," she said.

Adams current term as Supervisor expires at the end of the year, and she has decided not to seek re-election. "I had decided many years ago that while community service is essential, it's important to make room for new ideas. I've been a Supervisor for 12 years and now it's time to let someone new take over," she said.

Molly Henderson
Lancaster County Commissioner

How did you become involved in politics?
"I became a local committee person 23 years ago. I began by licking envelopes, dropping stuffed envelopes off wherever they were needed, and going door-to-door on other people's campaigns. That's how I learned the mechanics of how the party works."

What positions have you held prior to being elected County Commissioner?
"Prior to being elected County Commissioner, I served as the head of the City of Lancaster's Environmental Health & Protection Unit; a public health educator with the American Red Cross Lancaster Chapter; a health education instructor at Millersville University; and a rehabilitation therapist in the rehabilitation/patient education area of Lancaster General Hospital."

Helen Adams
Lancaster Township Supervisor

Why did you become involved in politics?
"I was coordinator for a Women in Politics course, a now-defunct 13-week college credit non-partisan course sponsored by the YWCA and Millersville University's Center for Politics."

What political positions have you held prior to being elected Township Supervisor?
"I have served as a Lancaster Township Supervisor for nearly 12 years, prior to that I served on the township's planning commission."

Both women strongly urge other women to become involved in their community and the political process.

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