The first woman elected to statewide office in Missouri is on campus to give advice about women in 21st century politics.

Harriett Woods, former lieutenant governor of Missouri, will present “Stepping Up to Power: The Political Journey of American Women” at 8 p.m. tonight in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

Woods, elected lieutenant governor in 1984, served as president of the National Women’s Political Caucus from 1991 to 1995 and currently lectures at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

She is the second Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women in Politics to come to Iowa State this year, and will be on campus until Thursday.

In addition to her speech, she will hold an open forum titled “Putting Women in Their Place(s)” at 11 a.m. today in 353 Catt Hall. A roundtable discussion, “The Truth About Women in Power,” will be at 2:15 p.m.

While on campus, Woods also will give guest lectures in three classes, including Tracey Owens Patton’s “Ethnicity, Gender and Media,” Dianne Bystrom’s “Women’s and Political Leadership” and Matthew Potoski’s “State and Local Government.”

“It’s an honor to have Harriett Woods here at ISU, and I’m pleased she agreed to speak to my state and local politics class,” said Potoski, assistant professor of political science. “We are fortunate to have someone with her experience with state government and her background working with women in politics nationwide.”

Woods’ time on campus is funded by the Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women in Politics. The chair position is an endowment used to bring a nationally known political scholar, leader or activist to Iowa State each year.

This year is the first with two speakers, Bystrom said. Past speakers include ABC News’ Carole Simpson and former president of the American Red Cross Elizabeth Dole, according to the Chair Web site, www.iastate.edu/~cccatt/MLS%20Chair.html.

Woods was chosen not only for her pioneer status, but also for her recent book, “Stepping Up to Power: The Political Journey of American Women,” Bystrom said.

Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, explained the selection of speakers.

“We try to have a nice mix of both parties, along with other areas, like political science and journalism. In an election year we try to get someone from an elected office,” she said.