More Women Could Run for Office in 2012.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — In the world of politics, women have made leaps and bounds. But, the work is far from over. According to the United States Census, 66% of women cast a ballot in the 2008 Presidential Election, while 73% reported being registered. Yet, beyond the ballot box, there are some women stepping up and becoming state leaders, but even with that, the numbers still sway in the male favor. Currently, 17 women serve as United States Senators, and 73 are seated in the United States House. In South Carolina, the numbers are more drastic. Fifteen women are in the house, while not one woman serves on the Senate. Yet, women make up 51.3% of South Carolina’s population. “Women are natural leaders who can connect with all voters, but we need more women to step up and accept the challenge of leadership, says Heather Hoopes Matthews, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Nexsen Pruet. “Women must continue to step up to the table and must work to guarantee that women occupy seats at the table,” says Candy Waites, Director of the South Carolina Gubernatorial Appointments Project. The days of being a stay at home Mom, also seem to be ending. According to the United States Census, more than 157 million women lived in the United States in 2010, only 5 million of those were stay at home Moms. “Women are taking control of this lives and their pocketbooks, by becoming entrepreneurs and they need to be supported and they need to be capitalized,” says Jennet Robinson Alterman, Executive Director of the Center for Women in Charleston. That includes the world of Politics. “I have a challenge for each of you who is thinking about running, it is, come on in, we sure need you,” says Charleston and Dorchester Representative, Jenny Horne. For more information on The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics, visit www.scelectswomen.com