Rell Puts More Women In Key State Jobs

HARTFORD (AP) — Connecticut’s first woman in the governor’s office in 25 years has significantly increased the number of women in key posts in state government.

Of 374 gubernatorial appointments to various state boards and commissions since taking office in July 2004, Gov M. Jodi Rell has chosen 144 women, or 38.5 percent of the appointments.

Rell’s selection of women extends to the judiciary where three of her first six picks for Superior Court judgeships were women. And in her first opportunity to recommend a candidate for the federal bench, Rell, a Republican, urged President Bush to nominate Vanessa Bryant. Bryant is now in line to become the first black woman to serve as a US District Court judge in Connecticut.

In an interview with The Hartford Courant published Sunday, Rell said she has never considered how many women she appointed until asked recently.

“We have done very well, but I wouldn’t read into it,” Rell said. “We have a lot of qualified women, but we have a lot of qualified men. Am I on an all-out search? I want the right person for the job. ... I’m not on a crusade.”

The governor said she believes women and minorities have been underrepresented in judgeships and that members of those groups — and men — are considered when jobs are available.

Men still comprise the large majority of Rell’s appointees to key posts, including budget director, legal counsel, state Republican Party chairman, and commissioners of public safety and motor vehicles.

In addition to her appointments, Rell kept six high-profile women as commissioners from the Rowland administration: Theresa Lantz at Correction, Darlene Dunbar at Children and Families, Patricia Wilson-Coker at Social Services, Susan Cogswell at Insurance, Pam Law at Revenue Services, and Linda Schwartz at Veterans.

Upon taking office, Rell ousted seven commissioners and department heads, six of whom were men.