This guest column, written by Kate Elmes, was originally published in the Bangor Daily News.
As the mom of a toddler daughter, I think often about the examples of leadership she will grow up seeing. I want her to know, without question, that women belong in positions of power and that strong, capable women can lead with both confidence and care.
That is why hearing Hannah Pingree speak recently meant so much to me. Hannah is running for governor of Maine, and as a mom herself and a former speaker of the Maine House, she understands both the demands of leadership and the realities families face every day.
Issues like housing, health care, child care, and climate change are not abstract when you are raising a young child. They shape daily decisions and long-term security. Hannah spoke about these challenges with urgency and optimism, grounded in a clear understanding of Maine communities, especially small towns like mine.
What stood out most is that Hannah does not just talk about challenges. She has a proven record of getting results. As speaker of the House and later as a senior leader in the Mills Administration, she helped move practical solutions forward, worked across differences, and delivered progress on issues that matter to Maine families. She has also chaired her local school board, and when her community lacked a full-time child care option, she brought people together to help solve it. She knows how to turn ideas into action.
Maine has proven that women can lead this state with strength, integrity, and vision. I want my daughter to grow up seeing that leadership continue, and supporting Hannah Pingree for governor feels like a meaningful step toward that future.
Kate Elmes, Damariscotta
