Former Utah Gov. Olene Walker, Iron County Commissioner Lois Bulloch and Cedar City Councilor Georgia Beth Thompson spoke Tuesday as part of SUU’s Women’s Week.
Walker, who served as Utah governor from 2003 to 2005, was the only female governor of Utah in the state’s history, and Bulloch was the first elected Iron County female Commissioner.
The speakers encouraged women to become involved in their communities and make a difference in politics.
Walker said since childhood, she never dreamed of becoming a governor, but while in college she knew she wanted to further herself in political career pursuits.
Walker shared an experience with the audience of a time she visited an elementary school in Cedar City.
She recalled one of her most memorable experiences was when an elementary student shouted from the school bus, pointed at her and yelled, “That’s the governor who makes us read!”
“You’ll never know what a great compliment that was in my life,” Walker said.
Walker said finding bills she previously sponsored or programs that she has been involved in that are currently thriving, is what made her service worthwhile.
“That has to be the greatest reward for being a politician,” she said.
Bulloch, a current Iron County Commissioner who has served since 2007, said she wanted to immerse herself in her community again after she became an emptynester.
“I have received so much value in my life from my community and from Iron County that I thought, ‘you know what, I think it’s time that I give back,’” she said.
Bulloch served on Parent Teacher Association committees while her children were in elementary school and the Enoch City Council for five years. Bulloch is in her second term as Iron County Commissioner.
“I feel like I’m a pioneer,” Bulloch said.
Bulloch referenced a time when she first worked as a commissioner when citizens would present their agendas to male commissioners and choose to speak to them about city issues over her.
“There is a place for women in politics and you need to get involved because a lot of things that happen personally affect you and you can influence those decisions,” she said.
Bulloch said she would never want someone to vote for her because she is a woman, but vote for her because she is qualified.
“I do think that women have a special place in politics because ... they have an opinion and they should get involved because they are a very big segment in our society,” Bulloch said.
Thompson, former SUU Vice President of Student Services and current Cedar City councilor, said her political interest emerged from her parents.
Thompson, who majored in journalism from Utah State University, said she was always interested in new information, ideas and public issues.
After retiring from SUU, Thompson knew she wanted to continue making a difference in her community.
“I decided, ‘Oh you know, you probably should have a reason to get out of bed every morning once you’re retired, you don’t want to be in your bath robe everyday until noon everyday,’” she said.
Thompson then decided to run for city council again in 2007.
“I really think that a community is comprised of all kinds of people — people with money and fancy jobs and people with challenges who may not have a lot of education, but the community needs to serve all its people,” Thompson said. “I take that attitude to the work I’ve done on city council.”
Walker said she would like to have qualified women become involved in politics.
“I want women to gain confidence and and that they’re competent policymakers and that they know their community and know the issues in the state and in the country,” she said.
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