RUTH PRESTON
SOUTHWICK – Resident Ruth Preston is trying to bring the town up to modern times in the name of women everywhere.
Last week Preston, administrative assistant to the Southwick Planning Board, requested that the Board of Selectmen change its name to the more gender-neutral Southwick Select Board.
Preston said it’s something she feels would be a giant step toward recognizing the leadership of women in town.
“I noticed that other communities in the state have a select board, and we have had women on our board,” said Preston. “The term selectmen is inappropriate in this day and age – women are leaders.”
Preston said she did not make the request for Board of Selectmen member Tracy Cesan, but “for all women.”
While researching the procedure required to make the change, Preston spoke with officials in Granby, which has a select board, but previously had a board of selectmen.
“They said when a woman came on the board, they just changed the name,” said Preston. “It seems it is as easy as that, but I know there will be some financial considerations for things like changing letterhead.”
Preston did her homework and found that 17 towns in Massachusetts have a select board and just one or two others have a board of selectmen. Many communities have a city council.
“I have spoken to women in town and they thought it was a great idea,” she said. “I thought about gathering signatures for a petition, but decided to just ask first.”
Preston has been an employee with the town of Southwick for seven years and was previously the director of the Claremont Chamber of Commerce.
Preston said she has not received a response to her request to change the antiquated name of the board and plans to pursue her request.
