Thank You Georgette

Saturday 8:20 am February 1970. I picked up the old ringing rotary phone and after the customary Hello a man's gruff voice said: This is Louis. Louis? I asked. Louis Jalbert came the imperious reply. I hear that you're thinking of running for the House. I can tell you right now that you're not going to win. Now if you're interested in politics you should start by joining the County Democratic Women's Club. They're getting ready for a card party as a fund-raiser. You can help them set up the tables. That's where you start. How can you say this.you don't even know me nor what I am capable of in serving in the Legislature. My dear I know everything about you including the size of your underwear. So began Georgette Berube's foray into politics. At a time when few women served in statewide and national offices women like Berube challenged local and state Party Machines. In her memoirs and speeches Georgette Berube provides an insider's view of Maine politics. Serving in both the Maine House and Senate from 1970 to 2000 Georgette Berube has more state legislative service than another other woman in Maine's history. In 1982 she was a candidate for Governor of Maine. For many years she also hosted a weekly French radio program in central Maine.