By Kristen Friesen
For The Independent

So, if you're inclined to do some spring cleaning, consider dusting off a few history books. Brush up on your women of significance and follow a timeline or two.

Since the birth of our country, strong women have been both in the hull and at the helm, navigating a sea of change despite discouragement and discrimination. "Ready or not, here we come!" they have cried. And as their courageous biographies have been passed down through time, so have their batons.

Many have answered the call, including three of our own: Lynn Cronk, president of Grand Island's Board of Education; state Sen. Vicki McDonald, representing the 41st District; and state Sen. Annette Dubas, representing the 34th District.

Despite 89 years post-suffrage and the fact that involvement of women in areas of political leadership trails that of men, there is evidence that we are closing in.

Cronk, Dubas and McDonald would all like to see more here in the heartland.

"Why is it that we can't get women to step forward?" is a question Dubas has asked herself many times.

"We're very willing to get involved behind the scenes," she said. "Women are involved in careers and everything else. I'm inclined to think that, for whatever reason, we just need a little encouragement."

Of greatest encouragement to McDonald was her husband Rick's confidence in her. Content to work behind the scenes in her husband's 2000 campaign, McDonald was thrust to the forefront when he named her as his successor to the Legislature when it became clear he was losing a battle with cancer. She was sworn in just five days after his death in 2001.

"I didn't have any political aspirations of my own," McDonald said. "However, Rick saw strengths and qualities in me that I didn't see."

While Dubas has experienced encouragement from family, co-laborers in political causes, friends and neighbors, her greatest inspiration has been the memorable character of her grandmother.

"She was a woman of very simple means with very few material possessions, yet very content with her life," Dubas said. "She had a strong faith, accepted what life gave her with no complaints and loved her family. She helped me realize what true happiness comes from not things, but the love we give and receive."

A strong belief in participation and desire to be involved in issues affecting her own family had Dubas lobbying in Washington long before she considered representing her district at the state level.

And it is a devotion to family that ultimately drives Cronk in her role as president of Grand Island Public Board of Education. As a stay-at-home mom for many years and now a doting grandmother, Cronk believes "no community can rise to a level greater than that of its public schools."

Within the school system and aside from her duties on the board, Cronk has been involved as a TeamMate mentor. In that capacity, she had the privilege of getting to know Monica, a great source of inspiration to her.

"She ... overcame obstacles most of us could never imagine to become the first person in her family ever to graduate from high school," Cronk said of her TeamMate. "She then went on to obtain an associate's degree in dental assisting from Central Community College and is now employed in a local dentist's office. I am humbled and inspired by her strength, positive outlook and perseverance. We have maintained a strong friendship to this day."

When Cronk evaluates her success, both personally and politically, she sees the faces of people she loves.

"The time I spend on improving schools has taken on a new meaning for me," she said. "I value the knowledge that, looking back through time, we have increased opportunities for student success and improved student achievement. I do constant internal checks to verify that my actions and decisions are grounded in the best interests of the students of our school district. If that is solid, I know I am doing my job."

Personal experiences do shine through for women in office, and many times it is to the benefit of the public.

One example is the Cancer Drug Repository Program and Participant Registry, which allows the donation of unopened cancer drugs to participating physicians to be re-prescribed to those who are in need both physically and financially.

Because of her costly awareness of cancer, McDonald worked to bring the program to Nebraska, the second state in the country to adopt it.

"Women do bring a different perspective," Dubas said. "We view things differently. We react to things in a different way. We're more willing to maybe look at things in a broad perspective ... and it's important to have that perspective brought into the discussion. If I feel this strongly about family and decisions that impact family on a regular basis, why wouldn't I do this?"

McDonald agreed

"My advice is to get involved," she said. "If not at the state level, then at the local level. You'll have a new perspective on government issues."

And who knows, maybe in a hundred years someone doing some spring cleaning in March will dust off a history book and there you'll be. And she'll take your baton and run.

Biographies:

Lynn Cronk, president, Grand Island Public School Board of Education

Born July 3, 1949, in Holdrege, Cronk spent most of her childhood on a farm south of Orleans. There she graduated from high school along with 16 classmates. She received a bachelor of science degree in interior design from the college of home economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lynn and her husband, Dr. Dan Cronk, were married in 1971. Together, they raised two children: a son, Daniel; and a daughter, Jacy. Being a stay-at-home mom afforded Lynn opportunity to get involved in her children's lives and they, along with her two granddaughters, remain a great source of pride and joy to her today.

Travel has become a favorite activity for the Cronks. "In visiting other countries, our day-to-day experiences are placed in perspective," she said.

As for hobbies, she continues to create a warm environment in her home through color and design.

2008 marks Lynn's 14th year of service on the school board and her 10th as president.

Vicki D. McDonald, state senator, District 41, St. Paul

From birth (May 26, 1947) to graduation, McDonald lived in Phillips. She then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. But even today, when she's not in session in Lincoln, McDonald lives in St. Paul, a stone's throw away from her childhood home.

She was married to Richard N. McDonald and the couple raised four children: Kayleen, Shelly, Melissa and Ryan. Throughout the years, she has not only worked to the level of financial executive, but has also found time for endeavors such as: Central Nebraska Feeders Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Grand Island Area Council for International Visitors, Chamber of Commerce, YWCA, Toastmasters, United Way, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Area Health Education Center, Nebraska Ag Relations Council and Nebraska Rural Development Commission.

Despite her claim that she didn't have any political aspirations of her own, she was appointed to the Nebraska Legislature in 2001 following the death of her husband, Sen. Rick McDonald, and in his stead. "Over the last six and a half years as a state senator, whenever I've faced a legislative challenge, I've remembered Rick's unwavering faith in me," she said.

McDonald was elected the following year and again in 2004. Her work with the American Cancer Society has not only been a tribute to her late husband, but also of great benefit to Nebraska, the second state to adopt the Cancer Drug Repository Program and Participant Registry.

In 2006, she married Larry Harnisch. In her spare time, she enjoys home decorating, crafts, comparison shopping and is a very good cook.

Annette Marie Dubas, state senator, District 34, Nance County

Annette was born in Omaha on Feb. 5, 1956. She graduated from Fullerton Public High School in 1974. In 1975, she graduated from Columbus Beauty College and married Ron Dubas. As they worked their farm in western Nance County, they raised four children.

Prior to becoming a state senator, Dubas spent 10 years on the Fullerton school board and eight years on the Planning and Zoning Committee for Nance County. Other organizations and committees such as Friends of the Constitution, National Farmers Union Policy Development Committee and District 2 Farmers Union provided her with lots of experience. And her willingness to speak up and participate in local, state and national politics earned her the title "Statewide Citizen for Outstanding Service to Nebraska and the Community" from Nebraska Public Television in 1997.

But her heart for farming is reflected in that she is the founding member of Mid Nebraska PRIDE (People Responding in Defense of our Environment), a grassroots organization that serves as an educational resource supporting family farms and independent business.

To relax, Annette enjoys reading, listening to music and walking her dogs. "I love watching them run and enjoy their surroundings," she said.