Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics

SC Representative-Elect, House District 36 (R)

Honorable Rita Allison was elected to the SC House District 36 for the second time in 2008, after serving a first time in the legislature from 1993-2002. In 2002, she ran unsuccessfully for the office of Lt. Governor.

In her decade as a legislator, she sponsored measures to promote education, health care, tax reform and economic development, and to curb child abuse and domestic violence. She has returned to the House after serving as Education Advisor and then Legislative Director to the Governor and most recently, as Director of Communications for the Commission on Higher Education.

Rep.  Allison’s leadership credentials include serving on the District Five School Board of Trustees, as president of the SC and US Jaycee Auxiliaries, as SC Outstanding PTA President and SC Business and Professional Woman of the Year.

She is the recipient of the first Terry Haskins Legislative Leadership Award for outstanding service to South Carolina, and the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor bestowed by the state.

Rep. Allison is seeking her 7th term in the South Carolina House.

Here are Ms. Allison's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.

Greatest challenge with few women in SC elected office:

Having a seat at the table of each important committee and having a voice to move legislation...need to increase numbers to fill these leadership positions.

Political woman most admired, and why:

Margaret Thatcher. She is a graceful lady, with great leadership abilities, who calmly moves through her political system made up mostly of men, with great success.

Political office a life-long dream?

No, I never dreamed I would seek elective office. I volunteered, did a lot of community service, and worked hard in community organizations. People saw my desire to serve and encouraged me. Now, I have the passion to lead and serve.

Friends would be surprised to learn that...

I want to please, and we cannot always do that in the best of service.

South Carolina would be a better place if only...

We would work on the problems we know are our weaknesses. We are as strong as our weakest link - education, poverty, health issues, domestic violence, and a job for all - but the will is not always there.