Southern Indiana Business July-August 2020 | Page 41

“There’s this misconception that
women are very emotional ...
There’s way more to us, and we
have way more substance than
what we’re given credit for.”
and they may wish to limit their political
involvement to activities like signing
petitions, attending government meetings,
protesting, writing letters to political representatives
and posting about politics on
social media,” Wrzenski said.
Change doesn’t just happen
The history of suppressing women’s
involvement is why it’s important to keep
shattering the glass ceiling, Yates said.
“As the saying goes, if they don’t have
a seat at the table, bring your own chair
and force your way to be in spaces that we
should be,” she said.
It starts at home and with those we surround
ourselves with in our personal lives.
Yates said she constantly talks with family
members about political candidates and
issues. They text each other on election day
to remind each other to vote, then reconnect
later in the day to discuss how it went.
“We have an obligation to educate ourselves
on the candidates, and we have an
obligation to hold them accountable for
what they say they’re going to do,” Yates
said.
Civil unrest may ultimately define 2020,
and Yates said it shows there’s still work to
be done. Unfortunately, voter turnout isn’t
what it should be, but in some cases, it’s a
reflection of the choices.
“I think people are disenchanted with
the voting process and with the candidates,”
she said. “That’s why we have to
get women and others elected who share
the same values that we do, and it’s not just
talk, but will walk the walk.”
Those who don’t vote ultimately play a
part in the lack of change in our country.
“If you don’t like who is representing
you and you didn’t vote, then you don’t get
to say a word,” Yates said.
She recalled voting in her first election at
the age of 18 and being so excited to finally
be able to take part in the process. Though
many may be skeptical of the system, Yates
said it’s the responsibility of the people to
be agents of change by participating in the
process.
“Voting is a part of my life and I feel so
adamant about it,” she said. “I won’t stop
voting and I won’t stop encouraging people
to exercise their right to vote.”
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