"Women work harder"
A secretary of state swings, too
By CAROLYN BOWERS Kansan Staff Writer
The slight woman paused beneath the giant State House rotunda to rummage through an over-sized black purse for her car keys.
Mrs. Elwill M. Shanahan, Kansas secretary of state, had just ended another day of administering to one of the highest state offices in Topeka.
'Let me check'
Mrs. Elwill M. Shanahan, Kansas secretary of state, takes time from her busy schedule to make an appointment with a friend.
Although one of only seven women secretaries of state in the United States and the first female secretary of state for Kansas, Mrs. Shanahan appears unaffected by
10 KANSAN Nov. 11 1969
her role in the traditionally masculine world of state politics.
"I don't feel I'm doing anything unusual as a woman by being the secretary of state," she said, "I know I'm not the only woman driving on the highways doing her job.
"The only difference with this job is that a woman just works harder than a man," she said, "it's the nature of a woman to spend more time thinking and making decisions.
"They aren't any more lentent with me because I am a woman."
Mrs. Shanahan assumed her duties in April 1966, two weeks after the death of her husband, Paul, who had held the office for about 15 years. Mrs. Shanahan was appointed by former Gov. William Avery.
Before this, the feminine state official had been a public health nurse in Saline County and the Douglas County Health Department.
Her interest in the secretary of state's office began several years ago during a campaign. Someone approached her and asked what the office involved.
"I looked at him and said, 'I really don't know,'" she said, remembering the small town in western Kansas where she campaigned for the first time with her husband.
"That was one of the greatest things that ever happened to me," Mrs. Shanahan said, "I went to my husband and told him that because I was campaigning for him, I must know what the job involved."
She learned all she could by visiting the office in the State House and attending various meetings and conventions.
Her desk today is cluttered with copies of state documents, memos and notes of appointments, which surround a picture of her late husband.
recording and keeping all deeds and abstracts of state properties, registering trademarks and publishing numerous state documents.
Mrs. Shanahan's office handles all state, national and county election proceedings in Kansas. In addition, she and her staff perform other duties which include
Although she walked into the office with a sound knowledge of its duties, Mrs. Shanahan said she was unprepared for putting together the secretary of state's budget.
"Can you imagine trying to do this for the first time?" she said while leafing through a ream of pastel-colored papers which list the expenditures and appropriations for her office.
"Fortunately I was able to depend on staff members who had worked on the budget before," she said.
KANSAN features
Although dealing with budgets and abstracts may impress one as a dull job, this swinging secretary of state explained why her time is not "completely spent with county clerks and court treasurers."
Besides meeting with county officials across the state, Mrs. Shanahan attends meetings of women's groups, professional organizations and special interest groups.
"One time I'm speaking to the Optimists', another time it's the Lions' Club. Last summer I even judged two queen contests," she said. She recently spoke before two high school government classes.
Her liveliness in dealing with her job spills over to her office staff of 24 employees. There is presently a rivalry between University of Kansas and K-State supporters.
A graduate of the Swedish Convent Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Mrs. Shanahan described her attempts to remain neutral.
"One day I'll wear red and get chewed out and the next I'll wear purple and get chewed out."
Campaigning for office is rigorous for any politician, man or woman. According to Mrs. Shanahan, it's fun for she meets people.
"It's not any harder on me being a woman politician," said "Auntie Shanahan," as she was described by one small Kansas newspaper after attending a reception there.
"In fact many times people come up to me and tell me its good there's a lady running for public office."
Lillian Gish In Person
A theatrical experience that should not be missed
No. 10832
Lillian Gish & The Movies
with Miss Gish in person and a program of rare early films including Griffith, Chaplin, Keaton.
★★★★
"This Lillian Gish evening provides a fascinating glimpse of the early cinema as well as a tribute to one of its all-time greats. Miss Gish offers a lively running commentary about the stellar personalities of the silent screen. It was fascinating, and the capacity crowd awarded the star a standing ovation."
SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
Student Union Thursday, Nov. 13 8:00 50c
MALE STUDENTS
A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PILOT OR NAVIGATOR THE AIR FORCE TWO-YEAR ROTC PROGRAM OPENS SOON FOR KU STUDENTS INQUIRE NOW
ADVANTAGES
— Leads to an officer career and interesting flying
(Training Program worth $156,000)
— $50.00 per month as a cadet (Legislation under
way to raise this to $128.00 per month)
— Paid six week summer training program
— Free AFROTC textbooks and uniforms
— Good companionship
— Base visits and orientation flights
— Support by the "ANGEL FLIGHT"
— Obtain your private pilots license
Obtain your private pilots license
Good academic standing with 1.00 GPA or better
ELIGIBILITY
- Physically qualified for flying
- Two academic years remaining for graduation from September 1970 as an undergraduate, graduate, or combination
— Poss Air Force Officer qualification test
DON'T DELAY
SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY
Physically qualified for flying
CONTACT: The Air Force ROTC Office 108 Military Science Building UN 4-4218
NOTE: Limited openings for non-flying cadets
Robinson Shoe Co.
Kansas City