Women in Duluth Politics -- Where Are They? It’s no secret that Duluth’s City Council and the offices of City Hall are dominated by males. Some say it’s because the tasks that a political campaign demands of candidates are not the kinds of tasks women are as used to taking on -- that debates, public speaking, and leadership in general are not something our society prepares females for as much as it does men. Others mention our city’s current Administration, saying that it could do more to focus on encouraging women’s involvement. Still others will tell you that it’s not a gender issue at all, but a matter of societal practicality. Single mothers and homemakers, for example, rarely run for office, being far less likely to have the financial resources, personal connections, or time that a businessperson might enjoy. As we look down the road at the 2003 elections and consider who might be in the running for Mayor, City Council, and other elected and appointed positions, the time is ripe for taking a look at where the women are in the Duluth political scene. Common Sense asked former City Council candidate Nancy Nelson to tell us about the journey on which her 2001 campaign took her. And we asked City Councilor Greg Gilbert for his take on what might be done to bring greater gender equality to the Duluth political scene. These articles are retained on the web for historical interest and do not necessarily reflect the views or goals of DPPA today.

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