Sutton empowers women attending South Dakota Girls State

South Dakota Sen. Billie Sutton believes women are underrepresented in politics.

Sutton said women make up only about 20 percent of the government, while they make up around 52 percent of the nation’s population.

Additionally, South Dakota has never had a female governor, and the United States has never had a female president.

Sutton encouraged delegates to get involved politically. He told the girls it was their duty to run for office.

On top of that, he said they were obligated to spread the word to women outside of Girls State to friends, sisters, mothers and even grandmothers.

Sutton asked his wife to stand up in the back of the auditorium, providing an example for girls to follow. She is a practicing attorney, a new mom and running for county commissioner.

He also thanked her and his employer for being so supportive of his political endeavors, repeating how crucial a support network is when running for office.

Calling on the girls to stand up and make a difference in the world, Sutton empowered the delegates by saying it was their responsibility to make sure they were represented in government.

To do this, he said women should start running for office, ask other women to run and show them they are supported.

During his speech to S.D. Girls State delegates Wednesday morning, Sutton discussed the setbacks he encountered in life and how those brought him to where he is today.

Growing up on a family ranch, his life revolved around rodeo.

He even planned on pursuing a professional career in it.

Sutton’s plans rapidly changed when a rodeo accident paralyzed him from the waist down in 2007.

Sutton coped with the switch by saying, “When one door closes, another opens.”

Sutton decided to run for state senate and then was elected as the democratic minority leader.

Currently running unopposed for his fourth and last term, Sutton said he got into politics because he wanted to advance education in South Dakota.

S.D. senators deal with state funding for things such as roads and K-12 education. They also are tasked with approving the funding of the federal government.

As the democrat minority leader in such a conservative state, Sutton said he has to resign himself to the fact that he just won’t get as much accomplished as the Republican group, but still strives to make a difference.

Sutton attributes his success to his core values of honesty, integrity and a good work ethic.

To girls facing adversity, he said to “Never give up,” a motto he follows in his personal life.

Mckenzie Fjelland, St. Louis, specifically remembers this and said, “He was a great speaker and told us to keep on trying even if you feel like giving up.”