Former lawmakers bring Congress to Campus

Former California Congresswoman Mimi Walters, left, and former Florida Congresswoman Val Demings take part in the town hall meeting at Claflin. (Panther photo by Tyuanna Williams)

Two former congresswomen came to Claflin University on Oct. 2 to promote civic education and public service, and to engage with students on today’s issues.

Val Demings, a Democrat from Florida, and Mimi Walters, a Republican from California, were featured at a Congress to Campus town hall meeting. Congress to Campus is the flagship program of the organization Former Members of Congress, which sponsors such appearances by former senators and representatives at U.S. colleges and universities.

The two answered questions on topics such as how they got their start, their educational careers and mentorship, but the most popular topic centered around them as women in Congress.

Demings said her path to becoming a congresswoman from 2017 to 2023 began with a criminal justice degree and her desire to work in social work and law enforcement. As a police chief, she was recruited to run for Congress, using her experience and knowledge gained from the force and as a social worker to push a campaign agenda.

“Be sure you know why you want to be there. You’re supposed to be there to help people and improve their quality of life,” she said of elected office.

Demings said some aspects of government are still designed to discriminate against women. “The ghost of discrimination is still in the room.”

There is still work to be done in building confidence in women, Demings said.

Walters said quite a few glass barriers for women have been broken as of late.

“I think in today’s generation, there have been a lot of glass ceilings that have been broken that is making it easier for young people to have the confidence, especially women to run,” Walters said of seeking public office.

She said women seeing women in office will boost interest in seeking elected positions.

One of Demings’ most passionate efforts is reducing gun violence, which she said requires the cooperation of members of both political parties.

“I believe government works best when there’s relationships on the other side of the aisle,” Demings said.

And the support of constituents is essential, she said. “I could not reduce crime without the community’s support.”

While Walters was in office, she was most proud of passing a Survivor Bill of Rights after a young lady at Harvard was sexually assaulted.

“I had a piece of legislation that a young lady brought to me who had been a college student at Harvard. She had been sexually assaulted and she wanted to see if she could get help where every six months she had to ask for her rape kit to be held and not to be destroyed,” Walters said.

As a result of such cases, more laws are being passed nationwide to protect individuals, she said.

Before graduating high school, Walters was involved in student government. “I knew someday that I wanted to be able to serve in politics in some capacity.”

Walters, who served in Congress from 2015-19, said her first race, which was for a city council seat, was not successful. But she credits the experience of losing to fostering her future success.

The two former congresswomen left the audience with advice.

Demings: “We have not because we ask not.” Demings said students should reach out to those who came before them when seeking a job or an opportunity.

Walters: “Trying to prioritize and be organized is a way to help you.” Walters said that one of the biggest challenges when she first got into elected office was being able to juggle everything that she had going on.