Words hold different meanings to different people. For example, the word ‘warm’ could be defined as a temperature, a personality or proximity to a location. They can also hold hidden messages which impact the feeling of inclusion. One word traditionally used in small towns in New England is “Selectman.”

In the colonial days of America, the citizens of small towns would gather together on a regular basis to manage the business of the town. When the population got too big, they decided to literally “select men” to manage the day-to-day operations of the town. Women not only did not hold public office, they were not allowed to vote. It was a man’s position to be held only by men.

The country and the State of NH have progressed since the 1600’s. As of the 2012 elections, NH became the first state in the union to have a fully female delegation (Senators, Congresswomen and Governor). However, the term of Selectman is still widely used. When running for this position in the Town of Webster, NH I would ask involved individuals why they were not running for the office. Men for the most part had quick answers centered on time, interest or ability to win. Women, on the other hand, often did not have a quick answer. Several answers were, “I just did not think of it as a position for me to consider.”

Not only in public life, but very often in corporate life micro-messages have an impact over time. They creep into our psyche and adjust the way we view our station and opportunity. In the past 100 years, the Town of Webster, a town with 3 select board members a year, had only 2 Selectwomen. Add on top of this very slanted statistic is the fact that the town’s population is more than half female.

Upon winning this office, the very first new business Mason brought to the table was to change the name from the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board. It passed unanimously! It may seem small. However, consider how one drop of water on your forehead feels. Now think about how thousands of drops one after the other would feel year after year. Am guessing, sooner rather than later you would move out of the way. This is how micro-messages can have a cumulative effect.