Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series

"No woman should get a job just because she's female, but a woman with qualifications and know-how should have the opportunity."
... Charlotte Reid, Phoebe Dutcher Award Recipent

"There are no such things as limits to growth,
because there are no limits on the human capacity for intelligence, imagination and wonder."
~Ronald Wilson Reagan

Tracy Ramsay McDonnell Selected as 2007 Class President

July 27, 2007
Aurora Beacon
By Kristen Zambo STAFF WRITER

Lincoln Series: Group helps train women for jobs in service, gov'

BATAVIA -- At 31, Tracy Ramsey McDonnell has the rare honor of being elected class president.

The Batavia resident wanted to learn more about public policy, public service and the inner-workings of government. She was selected for a training session in January with the grass-roots Republican women's organization the Illinois Lincoln Series, designed to help women attain elected and appointed governmental positions. She was elected the president of her 10-woman class when the Lincoln Series sessions ended recently.

"I would never have done that, but it really gave me the courage," McDonnell said. "I really wanted to bring my ideas forward."

McDonnell has worked as district director for state Rep. Patricia Reid Lindner, R-Sugar Grove, since April 1999. McDonnell, who grew up in Elgin, graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in 1999 with a degree in political science.

"She just typifies what tomorrow's leaders are going to be like," said Kay Hatcher, Kendall County Forest Preserve District president and a member of the Lincoln Series. "I think Tracy will be able to write her own destiny."

McDonnell said she wants to continue working in the public service and public policy fields, but doesn't know what she may do after Lindner leaves office. Lindner said earlier this month that she will not seek re-election when her term is up in 2008. "My job will expire as of January 2009. I've gotten a few interesting phone calls," McDonnell said, declining to offer details of potential opportunities. "I love the quest for knowledge and getting to study issues in depth," McDonnell said. "We're a percentage of the population and should have a percentage of the representation."

By taking Lincoln Series sessions, McDonnell said she was able to hone public speaking skills and learn more about public service and policy issues during the sessions. The goal is to help more women pursue government jobs, and gain spots in local, state and federal politics. "The skills they learn will give them an edge -- their own personal feeling of accomplishment" will carry over into their professional and personal development, Hatcher said.