May 30, 2015 2 min read

To all women who have aspirations to serve on Washington City Council: Do not believe the stories that city government is a “good old boys club.”

I had the privilege of being on city council for 12 years, and I never experienced council that way. Yes, we did have our differences at times, but we were able to get many important projects done by respecting each other’s ideas and opinions. I never felt intimidated by being the only woman on council. Many times I asked officials from the police, fire and street department to help me with some of my projects, and they never turned me down and always were willing to help. These departments were all made up of men, and there never was a time when they were disrespectful to me. I immediately knew that all of these people knew much more than I did, and I showed them respect. That respect was extended to me.

So when you walk through our town and see all that has been done since l997, when I took office, these projects were put together by four men and one woman, all of whom worked very hard. It was not a “good old boys club” but five people who worked together and respected each other.

Virginia Ullom

Washington

Ullom is a former member of Washington City Council.