The Missing Voices in the Room

I have spent my career sitting at long conference tables, attending planning sessions, reviewing proposals, and helping shape economic development strategies for communities across Alabama. Over the years, I’ve seen something consistent in those rooms. Often, there are few women, and even fewer who are conservative.

That is not because we are not qualified or interested. It is because too many conservative women have been conditioned to believe leadership is someone else’s calling. We are told to support from the sidelines rather than sit at the table where strategies are formed. That has to change.

If we want balanced policy, healthy communities, and smart development, we need more conservative women leading the charge. Not just cheering on progress, but helping design it.

Why Conservative Women Bring Unique Strengths

Conservative women know how to stretch a dollar, how to prioritize what matters, and how to serve without making it about themselves. These are not just domestic skills. They are leadership skills.

Many of the women I admire most have built their lives on values like personal responsibility, faith, family, and hard work. These principles translate directly into smart public policy and sound economic decision making. Conservative women understand the importance of fiscal discipline and local control. We value tradition but also know when to adapt.

We do not just think about what looks good today. We think about what builds a stronger tomorrow for our children and grandchildren. That long-term mindset is exactly what economic development needs more of.

Public Service Is Not a Platform. It Is a Calling.

I believe in servant leadership. That is why I do what I do. When conservative women lead, we are not chasing attention or ambition. We are answering a call to serve.

Whether that looks like managing a community development project, working in state government, or helping a small town apply for a grant, we lead with humility and purpose. And yet, so many women I meet are still hesitant to step into public roles.

They say things like, “I don’t want to play politics,” or “I’m not qualified,” even though they have spent years running businesses, raising families, organizing churches, and balancing budgets. That experience is qualification. What’s needed is the confidence to use it.

We Need Role Models and Mentors

I did not get to where I am without encouragement from other women who believed in me. And I believe one of the most important things we can do as conservative women in leadership is to reach back and lift others up.

We need to make it normal for young women to see themselves as mayors, city managers, economic development directors, or policy analysts. We need to share our stories, mentor others, and build a network of support that honors our values and celebrates our voices.

Leadership is not about competing with one another. It is about opening doors for others to walk through.

Values-Based Leadership Builds Stronger Communities

Conservative leadership isn’t just about standing firm in our beliefs. It is about bringing those beliefs to life in the way we govern and plan for the future.

We believe in strong families. That means investing in schools, childcare options, and safe neighborhoods. We believe in local decision-making. That means pushing back against one-size-fits-all policies that ignore community needs. We believe in limited government. That means removing unnecessary regulations so small businesses can thrive.

When conservative women bring their values into the public square, we strengthen the very communities we love. We make policy more personal. We make leadership more grounded. And we remind others that faith, common sense, and compassion still have a place in modern governance.

Stepping Up Without Stepping Away

One concern I often hear from women is the fear of having to give up too much in order to lead. The idea that serving your community means sacrificing your family, your faith, or your peace.

I understand that concern because I have lived it. But I have also learned that with the right support, clear priorities, and a heart for service, it is possible to lead without losing yourself.

You do not have to leave your values at the door to make a difference. In fact, it is those values that make your leadership meaningful. Whether you lead a project, run for office, serve on a board, or mentor others, you can do it while staying true to who you are.

It Is Time to Take Our Seat

We cannot afford to sit quietly on the sidelines anymore. There is too much at stake. Our communities are facing economic shifts, cultural changes, and policy debates that require voices of reason and compassion. They need women who understand both the practical and the personal sides of leadership.

If you have ever thought to yourself, “Someone needs to do something about that,” I want to tell you, maybe that someone is you.

You do not need to know everything. You do not need to have a perfect resume. You just need to care, to show up, and to speak up. Bring your ideas, your values, your lived experiences. The strategy table is big enough for you. And it is time you took your seat.

Moving Forward with Faith and Focus

As a conservative woman, I am proud of my principles. They are not just part of my identity, they are the foundation of my work. And I know I am not alone.

There are thousands of women across the South, across the country, and right here in Alabama who are more than ready to lead. They just need someone to remind them that they belong at the table.

Let this be that reminder. Your voice matters. Your leadership matters. And your time is now. Let’s move from the sidelines to the strategy table, together.