Balance is not just a women’s issue, it’s a business and community issue. This is the 2019 International Women’s Day campaign theme. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive. The Community Associations Institute government affairs team is made up of five women and one gentleman. And in honor of International Women’s Day, I want to acknowledge my strong, professional, and educated woman colleagues who inspire me every day. I feel compelled to celebrate the women in my life; both professional and personal and pay tribute to those incredible warriors who paved the way for me to have the professional opportunities I’ve been privileged to enjoy.
Nearly half of all community association management company CEOs are women, according to the 2017 Community Association Manager Compensation and Salary Survey by the Foundation for Community Association Research. They survey also found that women make up the majority of management company executives.
The most recent issue of CAI’s Common Ground™ magazine, highlights strong CAI volunteer women leaders representing the entire community association industry. Currently 30% of CAI members serving on state legislative action committees are women. These females volunteer on behalf of CAI to promote healthy, vibrant communities to our state governments. Through their grassroots activism, these women are able to promote effective leadership and responsible citizenship in homeowners’ associations and condominiums communities. Similarly, women are leaders at all levels of government across the country, and their presence is growing:
- 127 women hold seats in the United States Congress, comprising 23.7% of the 535 members
- 3 women serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
- 86 women (27.6%) of 312 seats serve in Statewide Elective Executive Offices (total includes 9 governors, 15 lt. governors and 62 other statewide elected officials)
- 2,121 women (28.7%) of 7,383 seats serve in state legislatures
- 25 women (25% of 100 seats) mayors were elected to the 100 largest cities in the U.S.
Additionally, I want to celebrate my mother and mother-in-law, who both raised three children while holding full-time jobs. I recognize some of us have had an easier path than others. I am grateful for those who came before me. For the next generation, I will continue to work hard to create a better balance.
Women in government statistics pulled form the Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University.
