To the editor,

Our town is usually the standard bearer for progressiveness in the Commonwealth and, in some cases, the U.S. Alexandria has been the birthplace of some of the strongest and most notable women in business and state politics, beginning in the 18th century with Margaret Brent, who owned most of the land in Northern Virginia we now call Alexandria and Fairfax County.

Recently, however, our progressive city seems to have come to a standstill when it comes to promoting women candidates. On the Democratic side, we have five men and one woman. Among Republicans and Independents combined there is one woman candidate.

It was just in 2003 that Alexandria was named by Ladies Home Journal as one of the best cities for women. What has happened since then? To be honest, no one really knows. We do know, however, that a siren call is needed to support the right women candidates. There is plenty of evidence, academic, scientific, and otherwise demonstrating that women bring a different perspective, a style of doing business, a willingness to collaborate and consider other perspectives, that can result in different outcomes. Given the state of our national affairs, our burdensome taxes and our uncertain economic outlook, it seems that it would serve us well to keep these different perspectives as part of city governance.

This is why I am supporting Del Pepper and am asking other Alexandrians to join me.

Whatever you do, vote Tuesday May 5 and have your say in city governance.

– Tina Games Evans
Alexandria