The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) College of Arts and Science and the UMA Senior College will present, as part of its Forum on the Future series, “Women in Politics” at the Klahr Center on UMA’s Augusta campus on Sunday, October 6, 2019 from 2-4 pm. The forum is free and open to the public. Attendees should note the change of location for this Forum. The Klahr Center is located across the Campus Green from Jewett Hall, adjacent to the Katz Library.
Two experienced women politicians will address questions such as “Why did you run for office?” “Why is it important to have women in politics?” “Why are so many young women getting into politics?” and “What effects will the increasing involvement of women in politics have on the issues which are dealt with by lawmakers?”
Shenna Bellows is the Executive Director of the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. She is also State Senator for District 14 in Kennebec County, representing her home town of Winthrop and several Augusta communities. Senator Bellows currently serves as Chair of the Labor and Housing Committee of the Maine Legislature and is also a member of the Judiciary Committee. She led the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine as Executive Director for eight years.
Karen Heck received a B.A. in Government from Colby College and an M.S. in Human Development from the University of Maine. She worked for the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program and co-founded Hardy Girls Healthy Women. In 2002, Ms. Heck was named co-winner of the Woman of the Year award by the Maine Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. In 2008, she was inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2011, she ran as an Independent and was elected Mayor of Waterville.
The Moderator of the program will be Marilyn Canavan, former State Representative from Waterville. She is former Director of the State
Government Ethics Committee.
There will be ample time for questions and comments from the audience. Refreshments will be served during a short break in the program.
For more information about UMASC and its other activities, please call 621-3551 or email at umasc@maine.edu.