Spotlight on Sue Edward, Green Party Candidate for SC Senate District 41

The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics spotlights Green Party candidate Sue Edward’s campaign in the July 17th Special Election!

Candidate Spotlight – Special Election: July 17, 2012
Sue Edward (G) for State Senate, District 41

Here’s the link to the original posting:
http://www.scelectswomen.com/candidates/sue_edward/

* Special Election: July 17, 2012 **

For State Senate, District 41 (G)

Candidate Spotlight – Special Election: July 17, 2012
Sue Edward (G) for State Senate, District 41

Sue Edward grew up in Syracuse, NY and attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, earning a BS in Industrial Engineering and an MBA. Following school, She lived in Buffalo an additional 3 years and then lived in Madison, WI for 12 years.

Edward moved to the Charleston area in 2003 and has lived in West Ashley since 2004. She lives with her partner, Larry Carter Center, and 3 cats: Max, Graeme, and Hypatia. Edward holds a full time job with a local software company in downtown Charleston. She also serves as Chair of the Charleston County Green Party and as Co-Chair of the South Carolina Green Party. She volunteers with many community and advocacy groups working to improve the lives of all South Carolinians.

Edwards says, “I am not a career politician, just an average person who believes that our government should represent all of us – after all, it’s supposed to be government for the people, by the people!

I strongly believe in equality, fairness, and social justice. I proudly volunteer with non-profit and advocacy groups including the Carolina Alliance for Fair Employment, South Carolina Women’s Choice Fund, Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Charleston Peace, and the South Carolina Progressive Network (plus many more), and hold office in several of these groups.”

Here are Ms. Edward’s answers to some questions posed by the Institute. 

What is your leadership style? 

I believe more is accomplished when things are done as a team effort and I work to educate myself on all of the facts before making decisions.

With so few women in elected office here in SC what do you foresee to be your greatest challenge once elected to public office?

Women’s rights are under attack everywhere – in the Statehouse as well as in Congress. The challenge is to fight to maintain our remaining rights as well as to regain those that have been lost.

Has there been a woman who you’ve admired in the political world and what is it about her that gives you courage to run the race? 

Matilda Joslyn Gage – suffragist, activist, abolitionist, freethinker, and “hater of oppression”. She was a brilliant, independent woman whose tombstone reads “THERE IS A WORD SWEETER THAN MOTHER, HOME OR HEAVEN. THAT WORD IS LIBERTY.”

Has political office been a life long goal/dream of yours? 

My first taste of politics was running for School of Management class president while in grad school. I became more interested in politics about 10 years ago and became much more politically active 4 years ago. This is my first run for public office.

South Carolina would be a better place if only…

We placed a higher priority on public education. With an educated workforce we will attract more jobs and grow our economy, making this a better place for all South Carolinians.

Learn more about Ms. Edward at her website:  www.electsueedward.com