Rolling into town in a colorful bus, Concerned Women for America stopped in Minot's Scandinavian Heritage Park Thursday to rally women, especially conservative women, to get out and vote in November.
The organization is the largest women's public policy group in the nation.
State field director Janna Myrdal of Edinburg said it took considerable effort to arrange the tour that brought CWA to four states and North Dakota's four largest cities, but it was worth it because of the power women have to influence elections.
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Jill Schramm/MDN • Penny Nance, president of Concerned Women for America, listens as state Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Minot, speaks at a rally during the She Votes 2012 bus tour stop in Minot’s Scandinavian Heritage Park Thursday.
Only about half of the nation's 60 million conservative, Christian evangelical women vote, according to CWA.
"We cannot have conservative women under-represented at the polls any longer, and that's why we are here," said Penny Nance, CWA president. "Concerned Women for America has taken to the road to let women know they are essential to this process."
State Reps. Dan Ruby and Scott Louser, both R-Minot, spoke to a crowd of a couple dozen people, mostly women, to encourage them to get involved.
Women are a force to be reckoned with, Ruby said.
"Conservative issues are very important, and to have strong, conservative women assisting us with educating and developing the legislation as we go through the process is very important," he said.
Louser cited the need to involved for the sake of the next generation, which includes his newborn daughter.
"Is this country going to allow the opportunities for her that we have?" he said.
Carol Port of Minot encouraged women to use the power that they have to influence the direction of the country. She compared the situation to the change made by the women who stepped up during World War II to work in factories.
"Rosie the Riveter took over and carried the baton," she said. "We can all be Rosie. We need to get our Rosie hats out and get busy."