She said she loves power.

Elaine Szymoniak, a state senator from Des Moines, said, “I love power because I can use it to make a difference. The vote is important.”

Szymoniak was one of four panelists who took part in “Women as Public Policy Makers: The Voices of Women Legislative Leaders,” a discussion sponsored by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics’ fifth annual spring conference.

State senators Mary Kramer, R- West Des Moines, Szymoniak and state representatives Beverly Nelson, R-Marshalltown, and Cecelia Burnett, D-Ames, spoke about their experiences as policy makers.

The women discussed events in their lives that led them to become legislators.

The four said they jumped into politics unexpectedly and were daunted at first by the responsibility.

Nelson said she was humbled when the people chose her to serve them.

“When I walked up the steps of the [Iowa] Capitol, I was struck with the awesome responsibility. It’s exciting, challenging and rewarding,” Nelson said.

Kramer was elected president of the Senate this year and said she enjoys having the gavel in her hand.

“I passionately believe in the citizen legislature,” Kramer said.

The other three on the panel spoke highly of Kramer, saying she invites women legislators to her house to build solidarity.

“Women working together use power to open doors. I am 76. I wouldn’t feel the same excitement and achievement if I were in Texas playing golf or bridge,” Szymoniak said.

Szymoniak said at the beginning of her political career, she would get things done by focusing on the men’s interests in to establish credibility.

“Then I could do things I cared about: women, children, poverty and justice,” she said.

Burnett pointed out that despite all of the advancements women have made, they are still a minority in politics.

She said out of the 100 seats in the House, only 21 are filled by women and only one-fifth of the seats in the Senate belong to women.

She said female solidarity doesn’t mean women have similar ideologies.

“Women have wide perspectives, liberal and conservative. You can’t lump us all together,” Burnett said.

Burnett said being a woman in the House makes one different. She said when she first came to the Iowa House, more than one person thought she was somebody’s secretary or wife.

She said she has taken risks because she believes “the only things in life you regret are the risks you never take.

“I wonder where this internal power comes from. It scares the hell out of me, but I like that power,” Burnett said.

She said she ran for office because she didn’t think the system was reflecting her values of environmental protection, women’s issues, poverty and social issues. She said she still feels many of these issues are not being addressed.

“I’m tired of being reactive. I want to be proactive. I want to be in the majority party,” Burnett said.