This guest column, written by Melissa MacCrae, was originally published in the Bangor Daily News.
In 1999, frustrated by the scarcity of female leadership models in Maine and Washington, D.C., I wrote “It Takes a Woman: Women Shaping Public Policy.” My book featured then-Maine state Sen. Chellie Pingree, who couldn’t know that one day her daughter would run for governor.
Since then, I’ve learned that it takes a wealth of women, who are dedicated to making Maine a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Gov. Janet Mills has proven my point. Not only has she made attending Maine’s community colleges free, she also tapped a North Haven islander to essentially carry on her legacy.
The 99th Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Hannah Pingree is running for governor, because, she says, she believes in the Maine she grew up in, where people care for one another. That’s vital now that Mainers face a housing crisis, climate change, rising costs and attacks on our rights. A lifelong public servant, I believe Hannah boasts a track record of delivering solutions that put Mainers first.
With her kids’ future in mind, I believe Hannah knows what’s at stake, and she’s ready to lead our state as its second female governor. Please join me in voting for Hannah Pingree on Nov. 3.
Melissa MacCrae
Brewer
