Letter to the Editor: Women of Southern Utah already have political sway, say Republican women

In this 2018 file photo, members of the Washington County Republican Women gather for a photo with former Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, at one of their luncheons in Santa Clara, Utah, March 1, 2018. The organization's 2022 Board is the author of a letter to the editor submitted to St. George News. | File photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News

OPINION — As women of Southern Utah and members of the 2022 Board of the Washington County Republican Women’s club, we want to offer a different perspective to a recent letter to the editor published in St. George News.

The perception that women have less rights than men in the United States is a myth. In this day and age, identity politics and victimhood grab the media’s attention, but that is not how we feel here in Utah’s Dixie.

Although we currently don’t have any women legislators in Washington County, we do not feel underrepresented in the Legislature because of gender. In fact, women can have great influence whether or not they choose to run for office. Not only are our voices equally heard at the ballot box, but we have equal opportunity to call, text, email or otherwise communicate with our elected officials and voice our opinions. Our male elected officials have wives, daughters and granddaughters, and we expect that they strongly take them into consideration when working in the Legislature.

WCRW has a welcome seat at the table for all. Men and women have unique societal roles, and we appreciate all that women do for their families whether working professionally, in the home, in politics or in all three. Women without children also offer great influence and support to the community. However, these characteristics alone neither qualify nor disqualify an individual from being elected to office.

As members of the WCRW, our local, state and federal elected officials visit our luncheons often, answer questions and engage with us. Our members also reach out to the elected officials to hold them accountable. They know we hold great influence and leadership in the community and in the Republican Party. Some of our current and past members serve as mayors, city council members and school board members. We also have a record number of women who were elected as delegates and precinct chairs from their neighborhoods.

L-R: Rep. Walt Brooks and Sens. Evan Vickers and Don Ipson at a Washington County Republican Women luncheon in St. George, Utah, April 1, 2021 | File photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

As an executive board of the WCRW we maintain our neutrality during Republican primaries, but we offer opportunities for our members and community members to come learn and vet candidates through debates and forums so that each individual can make an educated decision not based on gender, but based on qualifications and merit.

We honor and cherish the women of our great state of Utah. We are proud that Utah had the first woman vote in the nation and led the way for many opportunities for women. We are strongest when we don’t put ourselves into groups based on gender, race, et cetera — but, instead, use our unique talents and abilities to further our strong community together. We invite you to join our table in September for our next event.

Submitted by the Washington County Republican Women Board:

  • HAYLEE CAPLIN
  • SHIRLA SNOW
  • JOANN BRINTON
  • MARION KOHTE
  • LaSTAR RICHINS
  • CRYSTAL HEGEMANN
  • CATHY PERCEFULL

Letters to the Editor are not the product of St. George News, its editors, staff or news contributors. The matters stated and opinions given are the responsibility of the person submitting them. They do not reflect the product or opinion of St. George News and are given only light edit for technical style and formatting.

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