The Skirts – Conversation with former Senators Audrey Langworthy and Sandy Praeger, October 18, 2019
Interviewed by Joan Wagnon
The participants in this short Statehouse Conversation, former Kansas State Senators Audrey Langworthy and Sandy Praeger, reflect on the changes in attitudes toward women senators during their service. Three new Republican women were elected to the Senate in 1984. Because they shared an office, they frequently arrived in the Senate chamber together, causing their male colleagues to remark, "Here come the Skirts!" Langworthy and Praeger had both taught school, served on the same committees, and had also been elected to their respective city councils prior to running for the Senate. By the mid-1990's the number of women had increased significantly so the differences were not so stark as before.
Culture of the Legislature; Good Old Boys' Club; Legislative leadership; School teachers; Women's restroom
Senator Audrey Langworthy represented District 7 in Prairie Village from 1985 to 2001. Graduating from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960 and a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Guidance in 1962, she began her career as a high school English and geography teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District. She was elected to the Kansas State Senate in 1984 after defeating long-serving Senator Norman Gaar. Ms. Langworthy is well known for her service to medical and health causes at the community and state levels. She has served on countless committees and boards including the American Red Cross, the Shawnee Mission Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors, and the Health Partnership of Johnson County. In addition, she serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Health Care Cost Containment. Her service has received recognition and numerous awards including the Red Cross Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership.
Sandy Praeger was elected three times to the Kansas State Senate -- 1992, 1996, and 2000 after serving one term (1991-1992) in the Kansas House of Representatives. Prior to serving in the Legislature, she was elected to the Lawrence City Commission, serving from 1985 to1989 with a term as Mayor of Lawrence (1986-1987). Following her service in the Legislature, Praeger was elected to the statewide office of Kansas Insurance Commissioner, serving three terms from 2003 to 2015. As Insurance Commissioner, Praeger was responsible for regulating all insurance sold in Kansas and overseeing the nearly 1,700 insurance companies and 110,000 agents licensed to do business in the state. Praeger is also the former president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and has been its spokesperson in favor of maintaining state insurance regulation rather than an optional federal charter.
Statehouse, Topeka, KS
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