Q&A with Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito T'75, T'03 '05 '08
Q: You graduated from Duke in 1975. What was the climate like for women at Duke at that time? What was the general climate in the U.S. at the time?
A: My first visit to Duke was when Terry Sanford was being inaugurated as the University President, and there were quite a few protesters objecting to the choice. It was clear across campus and across the nation that this was a time of change– and that included a change for women at Duke.
My years at Duke marked the first time women lived on West and men lived on East. It caused great excitement and expectations. It was also, I believe, the first year of the merging of the Women’s College with Trinity. These were small occurrences, but they indicated a coming change where women had much more freedom and independence on campus than might have been the case in previous years.
We were on campus as the university implemented Title IX and we became equals in most aspects of campus life. For example, I distinctly recall a great debate on how much oversight the school should have on dorm visitation, open dorms and our own individual freedom.
This was also a time of real upheaval in our nation, where traditional views of authority were questioned and sharp-edged activism at the student leadership level was commonplace.
Q: How did the climate for women at Duke and beyond shape you and your experience as a woman in college? How did it shape your professional career after Duke?
A: I led the traditional life of a college coed in that I worked hard academically and participated greatly in a full social life. As women, we competed aggressively in class, worked hard and, honestly, I always felt that we were encouraged to become the masters of our own destiny.
I suppose that my four years at Duke prepared me for a political future in that we had great debates in the classroom, had first-hand exposure to university-led research,while benefiting from a supportive surrounding where we were encouraged to voice our opinions and take responsibility for our lives and careers.
Q: Did you have any memorable mentors or experiences at Duke that encouraged you to challenge boundaries?
A: I certainly met many women who I admired and looked up to but my aspirations are really gender neutral. I always felt that I was an equal, and generally ignored any perceived slights. It’s the same attitude I’ve sought to carry with me in Congress.
Q:You are also a Duke parent with three children who all graduated from Duke. Your daughter is the most recent graduate, T'08. How was her Duke experience different from yours? How was it similar?
A: Our daughter’s experience was very similar to mine in that it was fantastic. Yet, the campus and the opportunities available to her have even dwarfed what I thought was an amazing experience in my day. Her friendships blossomed with an incredible group of talented men and women.
She played volleyball, which was a deep, time-consuming – yet rewarding–experience. While I was on campus, I played tennis, but that was before women’s athletics really came into their own. In that respect I was pleased that my daughter had an opportunity to prove herself on the athletic field in an environment that wasn’t available to me. That’s progress in my book.
I’ve also enjoyed seeing my daughter really take advantage of the academic environment, and develop closer relationships with her professors.
Q: The DukeWomen's Center was created in 1989. How do you think the Women's Center impacted your daughter's experience?
A: I think the Women’s Center has helped women on campus see themselves from a truly multi-faceted way. I’ve seen that directly in my daughter – the leadership skills she developed.
Q: What progress remains to be made regarding opportunities and expectations for women, both as students and beyond?
A: I think women need to tune in to the current debates of the day because there are issues daily that influence women now and in their future. The opportunities available to women are many, but demand real confidence and a sense of personable responsibility for women to take advantage and truly make a difference.
Q:What advice would you give young women at Duke as they pursue their goals and passions?
A: Take ADVANTAGE of everything. It is a special time in your life to focus on your own inner voice. Learn to listen before you speak. Make good friends that care about you and share your interests. Create a sense of shared community andlook to public service as a career. And have fun.
Congresswoman Capito is pictured above with her family. Front: Shelley Capito T'08, Shelley Moore Capito T'75, Laura Roady Capito T'03; Second Row: Congresswoman Capito's husband Charlie, Moore Capito T'05, Charles Capito T'03.
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito is a graduate of Duke’s Trinity School of Arts and Sciences 1975. She also has three children that graduated from Duke (2003, 2005, 2008). She represents the people of West Virginia's Second Congressional District in the 111th Congress, where she has been an advocate for a range of policies that directly impact her constituents, including energy independence, quality healthcare and the safety and security of our service men and women. She prides herself on being approachable and accessible to her constituents.
She is currently the only Republican and the only woman in West Virginia's congressional delegation. Capito serves on the House Financial Services Committee as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee for Housing and Community Opportunity. She also sits on the HouseCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. The Congresswoman has proudly served West Virginia for more than 12 years, and looks forward to her continued work to improve the lives of every West Virginia resident.