29 Jun Why Local Offices Are the Perfect Starting Point for Women Leaders
When we think about women in politics, our minds often jump to the U.S. Senate or the governor’s mansion. But some of the most meaningful civic work happens much closer to home—at the school board meeting, the city council chambers, or the county planning commission. Local offices are where policy becomes personal, and for many women, they are the perfect starting point.
Local Government Is Where You Live
Local government decides how your city spends its budget, which neighborhoods get new sidewalks, how schools are funded, and how development affects your community. It’s also where your neighbors are the constituents—the people you already know from church, school pickup, and neighborhood block parties.
Latter-day Saint women are often already deeply invested in their communities. That investment—the relationships, the issues you care about, the place you understand—is the foundation of effective local leadership. Church leaders have been clear about the opportunity:
“We strongly urge men and women to be willing to serve on school boards, city and county councils and commissions, state legislatures, and other high offices of either election or appointment, including involvement in the political party of their choice.”
— The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Local offices are also more accessible than state or federal races. Campaigns for city council or school board typically require far less money, smaller networks, and less infrastructure. Many successful local candidates have won on modest budgets—canvassing neighborhoods door-to-door and showing up at community meetings.
Start Where You Are: Boards and Commissions
If you’re curious about public service but not yet ready to run for elected office, appointed boards and commissions are an ideal entry point. Most cities and counties have dozens of volunteer boards—planning commissions, library boards, parks committees, arts councils, and more—staffed entirely by citizen volunteers.
Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor for District 2, advises women who are considering public service to start here:
“I always encourage people, start out on a city commission or a county commission. You can find them on your city clerk’s website or your county clerk’s website. Find something that you care about, something you’re passionate about…and there you get to know people who ultimately will be your grassroots supporters.”
Serving on a local board is how many elected officials got their start. It builds relationships, institutional knowledge, and community credibility. As Supervisor Andersen also says: “You don’t have to be the mayor, you don’t have to be on the city council to make a difference where you are. Just help where you are needed.”
To find boards in your area, visit your city or county’s official website and look for a “Boards and Commissions” section. Many seats go unfilled simply because no one applied.
You Already Have What It Takes
Many Latter-day Saint women hesitate to pursue public service because they wonder if they are qualified. They are—and they’ve been building those qualifications for years.
Years of serving in Church callings, managing family needs, volunteering in schools, and leading community organizations have built exactly the skills that local office requires: listening carefully, solving problems creatively, building consensus, and following through.
Deidre Henderson, Lieutenant Governor of Utah, has been direct about the need:
“We should absolutely be embracing the fact that we need more women in public office, more women involved in local government, more women involved in the public square in any capacity.”
Debby Lauret, who previously served on the Orem City Council, described the qualities she found most essential in public service:
“A good sound mind, compassion, a good listening ear, and then just the ability to solve problems. If you are a problem solver, I think you can do just fine. And you may not have to come in with the answers to begin with, but to listen, learn, and ask experts, ask other people, ask other communities, you’ll be surprised. There are solutions that you can bring to the table.”
Local Office as a Launching Pad
Local service doesn’t just benefit your community—it builds you. Women who serve in local office consistently report that the experience is more positive than they expected. They find that their voices matter, that local decisions genuinely improve people’s lives, and that service at this level deepens their sense of purpose.
Local office also opens doors. Gay Lynn Bennion, now a Utah House Representative, built her public service foundation at the local level. Lieutenant Governor Henderson offered this encouragement:
“I think the key is gradual preparation. Just always be doing things that can prepare you for something that’s next that can make you better. Don’t take counsel from your fears—recognize fear for what it is…being afraid of it is not ever a good reason.”
Take the First Step
Local office is where community is built, where problems get solved, and where Latter-day Saint women can make an immediate difference in the lives of people around them. It doesn’t require a large campaign war chest or years of political experience. It requires a willing heart and a desire to serve.
If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, now is a good time to start. Visit your city or county’s website, find a board or commission that aligns with your interests, and submit an application. Or, if you’re ready to run for local office—city council, school board, water board, or beyond—Project Elect is here to help. Reach out to Project Elect and take the first step toward serving your community.
No Comments