Gloucester County Surrogate Helene Reed
When you first hear the word politics I can bet you immediately think of men dressed in suits making false promises and bashing one another. If you have that opinion about politics sorry to burst your bubble but you are wrong. Politics is so much more than that especially for those who hold an elected office.
For my project I interviewed Helene Reed who is in her third of five years as Surrogate of Gloucester County. Helene is someone I admire greatly, she has paved the way for women in Gloucester County. She was the first woman in Monroe Township to be elected onto council and to be elected council president. She was the first woman in Gloucester County to hold the office of Freeholder for three terms. Currently, she is the first woman in Gloucester County to be elected Surrogate.
Helene is also someone very near and dear to my heart. She is my grandmother. I witnessed first hand the trials and tribulations she went through not only running for office but being a female as well. While growing up, she has instilled in not only me but my whole family that you can do anything you want as long as you set your mind to it. This belief has given me the courage to return to school (after graduating with a bachelors degree in Public Relations / Advertising in 2008) to reach my dreams of being a teacher.
During my interview with Helene, she explained the offices she held, all that she accomplished, and how it feels to be setting a legacy in Gloucester County. She explained some trials and tribulations from having to juggle her demanding career and her family. She also emphasized the fact that she constantly promotes women to never back down and prove they can do anything men and can do – “and looking great in heals” while at it.
For my project I interviewed Helene Reed who is in her third of five years as Surrogate of Gloucester County. Helene is someone I admire greatly, she has paved the way for women in Gloucester County. She was the first woman in Monroe Township to be elected onto council and to be elected council president. She was the first woman in Gloucester County to hold the office of Freeholder for three terms. Currently, she is the first woman in Gloucester County to be elected Surrogate.
Helene is also someone very near and dear to my heart. She is my grandmother. I witnessed first hand the trials and tribulations she went through not only running for office but being a female as well. While growing up, she has instilled in not only me but my whole family that you can do anything you want as long as you set your mind to it. This belief has given me the courage to return to school (after graduating with a bachelors degree in Public Relations / Advertising in 2008) to reach my dreams of being a teacher.
During my interview with Helene, she explained the offices she held, all that she accomplished, and how it feels to be setting a legacy in Gloucester County. She explained some trials and tribulations from having to juggle her demanding career and her family. She also emphasized the fact that she constantly promotes women to never back down and prove they can do anything men and can do – “and looking great in heals” while at it.
QUESTION 1: Please explain how you started in politics and as many offices you have held
QUESTION 2: How many records or firsts did you have during your career?
QUESTION 3: Can you please describe some of your biggest accomplishments as Freeholder and first describe what a Freeholder does?
QUESTION 4: As a Surrogate, what are your duties?
QUESTION 5: How do you feel about being such a role model and setting a legacy in Gloucester County?
QUESTION 6: You said they wer looking at all male names, have you ever encountered sexism in the political field?
QUESTION 7: Have you ever witnessed or been subjected to negative advertising?
QUESTION 8: So as a woman and even with your own family, have you instilled in them that woman can do anything?
QUESTION 9: When you get to visit different schools around the county, what is your primary message to students?
QUESTION 10: With having a busy schedule, do you ever miss anything or are you good with time management? Also, how important do you believe time management is?
Afterward
Through this interview I learned so much about politics and those who hold office. I learned about my family and all the hard work Helene puts into her job everyday to not only give her family the best life possible but also to give her community the best oppurtunities.
I was by my grandmothers side during every campaign, even the ones that people were saying such evil things to her. I recall this one time the day before election day, a letter was sent out that had so many hateful things about my grandmother. The nicest was it saying she got to her political office "on her back". This not only offended her but the whole family. She was always the one to never show how hurt she really was. After this interview and discussing the incident when the cameras were off [she didn't want to discuss that incident on camera] I finally realized that it was a difficult time for her. She always stood up in the face of adversity and that is an amazing quality I believe she has. I feel this quality was instilled in me as well and that I can do anything I set my mind to - which maybe why I decided to play hockey on an all male team.
Helene Reed - my grandmother- has achieved so much in her life SO FAR. I know she is not done surprising us all yet. And I know that I hope to achieve only half of what she has.
I was by my grandmothers side during every campaign, even the ones that people were saying such evil things to her. I recall this one time the day before election day, a letter was sent out that had so many hateful things about my grandmother. The nicest was it saying she got to her political office "on her back". This not only offended her but the whole family. She was always the one to never show how hurt she really was. After this interview and discussing the incident when the cameras were off [she didn't want to discuss that incident on camera] I finally realized that it was a difficult time for her. She always stood up in the face of adversity and that is an amazing quality I believe she has. I feel this quality was instilled in me as well and that I can do anything I set my mind to - which maybe why I decided to play hockey on an all male team.
Helene Reed - my grandmother- has achieved so much in her life SO FAR. I know she is not done surprising us all yet. And I know that I hope to achieve only half of what she has.
