Noem encourages delegates to become involved

By Morgan Fischer

Kristi Noem is a South Dakota Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  She was elected in 2010 and again on Nov. 4, 2014.

“My kids and I have had so many unique experiences,” Noem said.

Noem is the mother to daughters Kassidy and Kennedy, and son Booker. She said it is a special balance between family time and work time.

Every week she travels to Washington D.C. to meet with the other congressmen and women, then flies home on the weekends to be with her family. Other members of congress have  picked up their lives and moved to D.C. while working, but Noem has ties to South Dakota with her family’s ranch. Also, Noem enjoys being able to communicate on a daily basis with local South Dakotans to understand what they would like to see happen in the future. Her travels through the Minneapolis airport are so frequent it is almost like another home to her, but she said it is worth it because of all the new experiences she has been able to have with her family.

“I am gone all week, but when I come home I still do the laundry, I still grocery shop, I have to do paperwork and conference calls for work,” Noem said.

Lacy Steiner and Elizabeth Looby, both citizens of Seattle, said one of the most challenging parts of being women in government positions is having the confidence and strength to stand proud and voice their opinion. The first thing they would work on if they were ever elected to Congress would be to get their voices out to communities, small and large, and let them know what they stand for. They believe that it is important gain local support.

Claire Saltzman, also of Seattle, said women need to encourage other women to take part in their government.

She said if women are given confidence boosters, it helps them to feel as though their voice matters, and can help to make an impact in the world.

“A lot of women back out because they don’t think they can do it, more encouragement of women taking charge is needed,” Saltzman said.

Kristi Noem said women usually have to be asked to run for congress. She herself was asked for two years to consider running. She said she did not realize the importance of women’s roles in the government until she was elected and experienced how influential women can be.

There are men in Washington who are deciding what women’s health care rates should be, and if women should get equal pay. She said it is important for women to speak up and make sure we do not loose the things that women have fought so hard for in the past.

“Our perspective is different than what men have. If we don’t become active and involved, it will not be good for us,” Noem said.

Some advice Noem has for the South Dakota Girls State delegates of 2015 as they enter their senior year is to enjoy it as much as you can. Noem said her senior year was the best year of high school. She believes it is important to say ‘Thank you’ to the people who have influenced you in your life. Whether it is your kindergarten teacher, your basketball coach, or your high school English teacher, take a little time out of the day and simply tell them you are grateful for them.

“Don’t get overwhelmed. I think a lot of people feel that they have to know what they are going to do after school, know what college they are going to go to, but just take it a day at a time and enjoy your senior year,” Noem said.