Women take on leadership roles in Idaho, and that’s a good thing
At the Zoo Boise gift shop, you can now buy a blend of coffee called “Girls Run the World.” It was planted, harvested and given this rousing name by young women at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Africa, the zoo’s partner in wildlife conservation.
Yet, girls and women do not run the world. Everyone knows that. Unless, of course, you live in Idaho’s Treasure Valley.
You may have noticed that women took control of the Ada County Commission two years ago, that Boise State University has its first female president and Boise its first female mayor. And that Meridian’s mayor, Tammy de Weerd, just finished 16 successful years and Nampa’s mayor’s the last two years has been Debbie Kling. Our topic today is women in leadership.
Diana Lachiando and Kendra Kenyon swept into the Ada County Commission because voters mobilized behind them in large numbers while male incumbents sat on their laurels, confident their traditional conservatism would carry the day. What a grand surprise that was.
Counties typically deal with jails, courts, weed control and such things but these newcomers have brought about progressive policies on impact fees for development, slower growth and protecting open space in the foothills and funding to end homelessness for families. Just for starters.
It’s not just what has happened at the county but how. With firmness to be sure, but also with listening, cooperating and playing well with others. For example, with horse racing finished at Les Bois, they’ve initiated a six-month process to listen for the best ideas for this strategic real estate. You tell us.
Has anyone handled controversy better than Marlene Tromp’s deft response to legislators questioning diversity at Boise State — before she had barely hung up her coat? We have witnessed a master class in how to respond to potential adversity with openness and curiosity. We are told Tromp has visited many legislators in their homes, one on one, seeking mutual understanding.
On campus, Tromp has been greeted with standing ovations before she has even begun to speak. Here was their new champion, students immediately realized. She has been all-in, hands-on and seemingly everywhere. When the Broncos lost badly in the Las Vegas Bowl, there was Tromp, congratulating Jaylon Henderson, the endearing quarterback whose career was ending before it had barely begun. We realized, yep, that was just the right touch.
Watch this, students. This is how you thrive in the world. Her outreach to rural Idaho will likely be another lesson in leadership.
Lauren McLean won the mayor’s race with words like transparency, openness and listening, rather than offering grand expectations. During a runoff, the sitting mayor questioned McLean’s competence, and his supporters imagined dire consequences if she were allowed to deal kindly with the homeless. She won almost every vote on the table.
Do not be deceived. McLean has been a long-distance runner over rough terrain for many years. Men like myself need to watch carefully. We could learn a lot from our new women leaders.
Former BSU president Bob Kustra and former Boise mayor Dave Bieter did themselves proud and left strong foundations for their female successors. But consider: What’s happening may not be just that “it’s women’s turn” or even a balancing masculine and feminine talents at long last but perhaps the consequence of women simply working harder, notably at every level of education, and women’s emotional intelligence. Can we men get used to this and be grateful there is more to come?
Whether around the world or here at home, it seems providential that half the world’s potential is steadily rising, hopefully just in time.
This story was originally published January 13, 2020 at 12:11 PM.