`options' Gives Struggling Students A Second Chance 
An Alternative Program In Which The Rules Are 
Different, ``options'' Aims At Helping Insecure 
Students Regain Their Self-confidence And 
Return To The Regular Classroom

By MITCH MORRISON; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, February 03, 1995 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





WILKES-BARRE -- They represent more than half the county, yet in elected
politics, they're hard to find. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Women. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Rose Tucker was one of the few in Luzerne County to break through what
often is described by local politicians as the "good old boys" network. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With Tucker's decision not to seek a second term because of personal
reasons, Register of Wills director Dorothy "Dottie" Stankovic and County
Judge Ann Lokuta remain the only two elected female officials in the
courthouse. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's not about to change in the next election. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Men are lining up for the commissioners race, along with sheriff, recorder
of deeds and treasurer. No women have been mentioned as possible candidates
for those races. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Pennsylvania is not known for having women in politics" said Stephanie
Bressler, who holds a doctorate and is assistant professor of political
science and women's studies at King's College. Pennsylvania ranks 46th
nationally in the number of women serving in the state legislature, ahead of
only four southern states, she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We need women to get involved in the pipeline of politics," Bressler said.
"I don't see women in the pipeline here." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eight women interviewed Thursday praised Tucker for penetrating the
patriarchal system. But they questioned whether her presence would spur more
women candidates. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even Tucker seemed concerned. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There are many women capable in this community who do not take that first
step," Tucker said. "Try it in your own church and community, get the
experience and string out into the larger arena. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We desperately need more women to run in this county for office," she
said. "I knew I would do just as well as anybody." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As commissioner, Tucker has made it a point to enlist women in the process,
seeking names from the county's Commission on Women whenever vacancies opened
on boards or authorities. Seventy-one women serve on about two dozen boards. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She also helped hire women to high-profile positions -- Carol Lewis as
director of the Bureau of Aging and Diane Kopcha-Katlic as assistant county
solicitor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Still, women remain a quiet voice in politics despite making up about 53
percent of the county. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, said women are active in politics,
but in low-profile ways. "Women have not traditionally been the inside
players. They haven't been the power brokers. Women are the workers, the
envelope lickers. That has to change." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Women's advocates interviewed said the lack of women is reflected in the
absence of women directors at banks, insurance companies and academic
institutions. Women candidates also undergo greater scrutiny, they added. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Men interviewed offered a different perspective. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I don't think anyone is trying to hold women down," said Jim Bach, the
county's Democratic chairman. "But they've got to have some home turf and
build a base either on council or school board." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That may not be enough, said Republican Commissioner Jim Phillips. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I think they're far more sensitive to criticism than men," Phillips said.
"I think it bothers females more than males. They just don't want to get into
that." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Women Scarce In County Politics