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| Donna Sytek - NH's First Woman Speaker of the House |
Donna Sytek - Madam Speaker!
Wrangling Cats with Grace and Aplomb
Donna P. Sytek, State Representative 1977-2000
Speaker of the House 1996-2000
Listen here:
https://feeds.podetize.com/ep/dr0mAazqy/media
New Hampshire’s first woman Speaker of the House was renowned for appropriating the phrase “herding cats” as her way to humorously describe the process of governing the 400 member House of Representatives aka the General Court in New Hampshire. Over time that description has caught on, not only because it accurately describes the process of trying to guide the second largest deliberative body in the US (3rd in the world, after the Japanese DIET), but because it also reflects the humor and grace that Speaker Sytek brought to the job.
First elected to the NH General Court in 1977 she served until 2000 rising to be the first woman Speaker of the House.
In this podcast Speaker Sytek reflects on her distinguished career in the legislature, the women who dominated the legislature upon whose shoulders she stood, and the current state of legislative affairs.
Portrait description:
Donna Page Sytek was the first woman to be elected Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The portrait, set in the State House office occupied by the Speaker of the House, includes items of significance. The substantial wooden door features the first state seal dating back to 1776. The state flag symbolizes that the legislature is doing the people's business. The round table was the style Speaker Sytek preferred as it encouraged visitors to feel at ease and conveyed a more open environment. Furthering a sense of welcome and a little whimsy is the dish of chocolate kisses that was always available.
The gavel signifies the office, yet held lightly as her style was to preside without a heavy hand. Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure was a constant source of reference to a Speaker devoted to a dignified and orderly process.
Speaker Sytek's upright stance is relaxed and her open arms signify a respectful yet welcoming attitude to thoughtful discussion. The hint of a smile signifies a leader who appreciates the gravity of the business at hand while enjoying the people who made the work worthwhile.
Artist: Ralph Stone Jacobs
Listen here:
https://feeds.podetize.com/ep/dr0mAazqy/media
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