The Women’s Political Leadership Network is a new initiative of the Louisiana Center for Women and Government at Nicholls.
The goal of the WPLN is to increase students’ knowledge about women in politics and to explore career opportunities in government, policy-making and public administration. In addition, the WPLN aims to foster interaction between students and political leaders.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the WPLN hosted a panel discussion on “Leadership in the Age of Terrorism: The Role of Local Elected Officials.” Panelists who participated in the discussion included Glenn Antizzo, associate professor of government, Representative Hunt Downer of Houma, Senator District Attorney “Butch” Gautreaux of Morgan City, Lieutenant Jerry Monier and Major Robert Dill. Debra Raziano, alumni director, served as the moderator for this special event. These panelists sit on the homeland security committee and/or have been diligently working on ways to prevent terrorism in the community.
Rose Harris, director of the WPLN said the purpose of the forum was to help students understand what can be done on the local level to combat terrorist attacks. The forum also stressed what it means to be a leader during the tumultuous times of terrorism.
“Knowledge on terrorism is very important,” Harris said. “It is not just what happened on Sept. 11. Learn that there are other ways (of terrorist attacks), such as chemical warfare. Terrorism has a broader definition. We have to learn to be responsive citizens.”
Harris said attending panel discussions and keeping up with current events are some of the best ways people can further their knowledge on terrorism. She also said people should not hesitate to contact their senator, representatives and governor. It is also vital that local officials attend more panel discussions and conduct town hall meetings to get citizens more involved.
Lafourche and Terrebone parishes are doing more in the fight against terrorism than many people think. In fact, police officers are being extensively trained on chemical warfare. Nation Watch, which is a program similar to the Neighborhood Watch program, is also being implemented. Since hospitals are possible targets, nurses are being properly taught how to decontaminate things. Moreover, mobile hospitals are another groundbreaking idea that is in progress.
The panel discussed the possibility of going to war with Iraq. Senator Gautreaux believes that America should challenge the threats of Sept. 11.
“No one ever said the price of freedom was cheap,” Gautreaux said.
Harris expressed her views on America’s recovery from last year’s barbaric assault.
“The initial outpour of empathy and sympathy was truly apart of America’s giving. People were giving not just money, but time and blood,” Harris said. “Everybody became an American, with the exception of the Arabs.”
Harris said that since Sept. 11 Arab-Americans have been discriminated against and treated cruelly for no reason. She went on to say that people need to rethink what it means to be safe, because some have totally forgotten the impact of that tragic day.
Students can expect the WPLN to host many more informative forums on various topics at least once a semester. These forums are free to the public. Anyone, including males, who are interested in participating in the WPLN should pick up an application from the Louisiana Center for Women and Government, which is located on the west side entrance of the Ellender Memorial Library. Students may also download application forms from http://www.nicholls.edu/cwg
Contact Harris at (985) 448-4770 for more information on internships and other programs offered through the Louisiana Center for Women and Government. Or send an e-mail to [email protected]