Barbara Rackes : Political Aide

Photo by Molly Harrell

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Until Barbara worked on a campaign and witnessed “the intrusive nature of media into the personal lives of candidates,” her “life plan” was to run for office. In fact, political aspirations were the reason she went to law school. Confused, Barbara left Capital Hill, moved back to SC and opened clothing stores. Then, in 1996, Barbara took her business online. Now, no longer in retail, Barbara “makes the internet make sense” for businesses with her company, The Rackes Group. And, through her work with the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics, she seeks and encourages women to run for office.

“If we’re ever going to change dirty politics, we need more women in public office. It’s proven now that women in Congress are more effective than their male counterparts. Women reach across party lines and govern by persuasion, not authority. It’s a much more pleasant, more collaborative way of working.”

ONLINE EXTRAS:

1. Rackes, Barbara's clothing stores, expanded from Columbia to Charlotte and Greenville and grew to a ten million dollar company.

2. The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics is non-partisan; "we can't endorse or raise money for a particular candidate," she says, "but we can create visibility for a candidate through media contacts, websites and newsletters.

3. South Carolina is the only single gender (all male, of course!) Senate in the United States.