Kulik: Recognizing legislative milestones during Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month.  It is a time to remember and reflect on the contributions women have made to our society.

I am proud to be one of the many women who are members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate.  This month, we celebrate the 65 women who are now part of the House of Representatives.  This is the largest number of women serving at one time in the House in its 344-year history and which currently has 203 members.

When I was first elected in 2016, I was the only woman representative from Allegheny County, and one of only two from Western Pennsylvania.  Knowing many women business leaders, lawyers and judges, I was somewhat surprised that there were so few women in the House.

A woman now serves as speaker of the Pennsylvania House and a woman serves as the president pro-tempore of the Senate.  These are firsts for Pennsylvania.  I am personally proud to be the first woman to represent the 45^th Legislative District, just as many of my female colleagues are the first women elected in their respective districts.  More women are serving as committee chairs in the House, and I am likewise proud to be the first woman to chair the House Game and Fisheries Committee.

The women in the legislature concentrate on all matters of concern to our residents.  In today’s world it is hard to distinguish issues that affect men and women differently, though some remain.  Every one of us at some time must deal with taxes, affordability, education and jobs.  What we have been able to do on the state level is raise awareness and provide new laws that help with women’s health issues and motherhood issues that have too long been ignored.

More and more women are serving in local government positions.  In the 10 municipalities that make up our 45^th District, numerous women are serving or have served as mayors and councilpersons. Going back 30 years, I remember going to the Allegheny League of Municipalities Conference with my husband, who was a local commissioner at the time.  The conference would have activities and excursions for the wives of the government officials, such as shopping trips and other social events. That has now changed as many of the elected officials are women.

As we celebrate America’s 250^th birthday this year, we cannot forget that at the start of our nation women could not vote and in some circumstances could not own property in their own name.  I often explain this to the young students, who are very surprised to learn that women were not guaranteed the right to vote until 1920.  I talk to and encourage them, boys and girls, to be the voices of positive change in our world. Countless strong-willed and determined women pushed for legal rights as should be provided to all citizens. We need to make sure our children grow without bias and with respect for each other. 

On other matters, please check out my Facebook page or eblasts for information on upcoming events.  My staff and I will be hosting an Identity Theft Protection Event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Burkett Sports Complex in Robinson Township.  There will be a shred truck to do on-site shredding of your sensitive documents.  We will also have a representative from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office to collect unused drugs as part of the Project D.U.M.P. program.  As always, please feel free to contact me or my office staff if we can assist with any state matters.