Political Official: Susan Bucher

What inspired you to want to work in the political or corporate arena? It is where I believe I can make the most impact. The legislature provides an opportunity to shape policy and laws, and the work at the Supervisor of Elections Office helps deliver ease and access to democracy by providing voter education and an accurate and transparent elections process to the community.

What advice do you have for women that want to spark change? Get involved in your community. Expose yourself to many areas of interest and then land on the one or two areas you have the most passion for and work hard to learn all that you can about your issues so you will make a positive difference.

What do you feel is the single most pressing issue facing women today and why? Equality. The things we still work for that would make a substantial impact for women are pay equity, Equal Rights Amendment, judicial equality in court decisions, equal representation in political offices, freedom of education, domestic violence, forced marriage, forced abortions, human trafficking and rape.

Tell us about a woman mentor that has helped your journey: There have been so many women who have helped me over the years and those who I watched to learn how to work through the difficult business process, especially in politics; Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, Nan Rich, Elaine Gordon, Artenia Joyner, and so many more. The person who took so much time to show me how to gather facts and how to fight for what I believe in was my great friend Sally Heyman. Sally was a veteran legislator when I got elected. She made sure I settled in well and showed me how to insert myself in the meetings the women were not invited to and how to be heard. Sally Heyman is now a county commissioner in Miami Dade County.