It’s “way past time” to see a female candidate on the presidential ticket, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency said during a lecture on campus Tuesday.

Christine Todd Whitman, the EPA administrator, spoke to nearly 400 people in the Memorial Union, touching upon themes of women leadership and portrayal of women in the media.

“We all need to encourage women to be involved,” she said during the lecture, which was part of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics’ 10th anniversary celebration. Whitman was also named the Mary Louise Smith chairwoman during the event.

Whitman said Mary Louise Smith was a woman that “smashed a lot of doors that now others are walking through.”

But future participation of women in politics will only succeed if current women leaders serve as mentors, role models and leaders to other women, Whitman said. “Women leaders need to be intentional about opening doors for capable other women,” she said. “Women possess special skills, and we need to be proud of that.”

Women are often willing to reach across the traditional boundaries of problem solving and bring in different perspectives than men, Whitman said.

In order to shift the focus from women’s fashion sense to their intellect, Whitman said one way to help is by giving support to the female candidate.

If the media is focusing on what a woman wears, she said people should send letters to editors stating it is more important to hear the candidates’ stance on issues.

Being in politics is often difficult for both men and women, Whitman said. “You don’t go into politics, I believe, to put something on your r‚sum‚.”

She said the reward is that politicians can make a difference. An important part of leadership is “willingness to do what’s right and not what’s popular,” Whitman said.

Also during the speech, she said there are similarities between women’s struggles for equality and environmental issues. While environmental degradation was being fought, women were striving for equality. “In the new millennium we can see growth in both areas,” Whitman said.

She said, however, there have been more advances in environmental issues than women’s issues.

Emily Wilcox, junior in English, introduced Whitman to the large crowd. She said it’s always great to see political figures to come to Iowa State.

“The Catt Center is a great way for women to realize their potential,” Wilcox said.

Other audience members said they have admired Whitman for several years.

“I was thrilled to have [Whitman] here. I remember in 1995 watching her give the response to the State of the Union address,” said Laura Pfeffer, junior in English education.

“We are truly a lucky university.”