Santana opened the forum by challenging college women to 鈥渨ake up鈥� and acknowledge, what she described as, the continuing 鈥渁ttack on women鈥� in politics. After pointing out that political leaders were often first student leaders, Santana underlined the importance of local involvement and the consequences of being uninformed. She invited those interested to attend the UCF workshop, 鈥淓lect Her,鈥� on Jan. 25.

Carmon, whose work in journalism and reporting has focused on women鈥檚 issues, politics and culture, said that 鈥渢he old order has been shaken,鈥� but not changed.

She emphasized strides women have made, such as representing a greater portion of the American workforce or living independently. Underscoring a recent influx of women into Congress, Carmon said 鈥測oung women made this happen by speaking up.鈥�

She urged the audience to get involved at the local level, as well as at the national level of politics to fight for issues important to them. She said she also advocated for more women in politics regardless of their political party affiliation.

鈥淚t is worth it to push for change. It is worth it to keep talking about it,鈥� she said.聽聽聽聽聽

In addition to the Global Perspectives Office and UCF鈥檚 Student Government Association as co-sponsor, sponsors for the presentation included the UCF Burnett Honors College, UCF Women鈥檚 Studies Program, UCF Diplomacy Program, UCF Global Peace and Security Studies Program, the Chastang Charitable Foundation, UCF Center for the Success of Women Faculty, UCF Political Science Department, UCF LIFE and the Global Connections Foundation.