This profile is a part of a series on candidates for legislative districts we are targeting to flip in November. Joyce Barlow is running for Georgia State House of Representatives in district 151 with the interest of expanding healthcare coverage, protecting women’s health, supporting education, and improving public safety. She promises to lead by listening and fiercely advocating for the interests of the people of Southwest Georgia.
What inspired you to run for office? Was there a specific event or a chain of events that convinced you to run?
I’ve considered running for office many times over the years, but I’ve just reached the time in my life when I can commit to it. Instead, I served through volunteering, running my small business, working as a nurse, and leading local committees. When I was asked to run this year, I realized it was my time to step into the legislative arena. My calling, now, is to make a difference through the legislative process, connecting with people and driving policy change that helps make a difference to our communities.
It sounds like you were working for your constituents long before you started your campaign. Could you tell us more about your involvement, and how you’ve made a difference in your community?
Some areas I’ve invested a lot of time in are leadership roles with the Albany Dougherty Chamber of Commerce, legislative advocacy for Alzheimers, supporting a shelter for victims of domestic violence, and volunteering with my kids’ schools.
I do my best to show up for people and help where I can. I have demonstrated my commitment to this community and my role as an advocate in big and small ways-- from bringing food to my neighbors to chairing civic and nonprofit groups. I do everything I can to make sure people feel welcomed, included, and heard. To me that is what helps build true community - and from that place we can help lift each other up and grow.
Your involvement doesn’t stop there though. You’ve been leading an incredible career of service to others. How does your professional experience as a nurse help you be a great candidate?
I use my nursing skills and mindset in everything I do. All of my work is truly the treatment and care of a person or people, and that’s how I view holding elected office.
Here I have to plug my nursing profession: For 20 years in a row, nursing has been rated the number one most trusted profession in Gallup’s polling. I’m really proud that I was an inaugural inductee into the Georgia Nursing Hall of Fame because of my track record of caring and service in my community and helping people.
I was a public health nurse in my business for many years. In that role I was moving from city to city, assessing the conditions and needs of the area. I could see the poverty, the unemployment, and the state of the roads. All of that affected access to healthcare and my ability to care for a person. I treated one person whose road you simply could not drive down. Therefore, this road needed repairs and construction. I called county commissioners and the public works department and finally found someone to fix the road, thereby allowing me to reach the person that needed care and treatment.
That mindset - that I will not let a structural issue get in the way of my ability to care for you - translates to my business career and to my work as a public servant.
You’ve centered your genuine care of people at the heart of your profession and your campaign. Her Term's motto is when she wins, everyone does. What does this mean to you?
Getting women elected has an impact because we understand basic needs of families and what it takes to care for children. Everyone wins when this perspective is represented in leadership. I see women leaders focusing on issues that make things better not only for their families, but for all families.
Just think! If we have several communities of women with this same mindset, we can create movements across the region and statewide. That’s how we make a difference, by uniting and touching each other and communicating and corresponding because we want it better.
Why is it important to ensure that women get a voice in your district?
Representation is important. Women have to have a voice because we are a vital part of society. We tend to look at issues that have far-reaching impact, rather than short-term economic issues. Community safety, climate change and birth control are big societal issues that legislators and policy makers affect. Outside of government, women need to be in leadership roles in industry.
The people sitting at the table are the ones who influence the decisions that get made. Women have to be engaged and part of the decision-making table.
People tend to look at reproductive health, childcare and some other issues as women's issues. Can you explain to constituents why these issues should matter to men as well?
These issues matter because these are the issues of how we’re living. Men and women are living together, raising children together, making decisions about how to balance all the aspects of their lives together. Giving women control over their bodies is good for the family system. Making sure kids have a safe place to go while their parents work benefits moms and dads. Having children come out of the educational system ready to support themselves - that benefits all [of] society.
You've spent a lifetime of caring for others. We can see why you would be an amazing legislator. What are some of the major positions you're running on?
I am working on a number of issues that support the health and wellbeing of our community. First is Medicaid expansion, because your health is everything. Medicaid expansion would help an additional 500,000 receive services and care, and it will help save our rural hospitals.
I will also fight to protect women’s reproductive rights. Women must be able to decide for themselves what they are going to do with their bodies. Those decisions are between them, their partner and their God. It is not for me to make decisions about their reproductive health.
Jobs and affordable housing are very important to me and to communities throughout southwest Georgia. We are losing people because of the shortage of good jobs with decent livable wages and good benefits. Our young people are taking flight in search of good jobs.
I support unions and am endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators. Educators made a difference in all of our lives and got us educated, and that will always be near and dear to me. They should have pay raises, and input into the laws that affect their safety and what they're teaching.
I believe in providing funds to the police to help them better screen applicants and train recruits. At all levels, we need to provide mental health and crisis management training to be sure our police are able to help people in crisis. I would also like to help ensure that we have a pipeline of prospective police officers so if we do have an issue with a few bad cops, we have candidates to replace them.
Why should people vote for you as opposed to your opponent? What makes you uniquely qualified, and what would you do differently?
I'm qualified because of the person I am. I've worked for everything that I've gotten, and I’ve given back as much as I could over the years. As a leader, I listen to all perspectives, take in many different viewpoints and move forward in the best interest of the community. As a legislator, I will be accessible and available to help people when they need me. It’s what I’ve done all my life. You can be confident that if there’s a particular bill that directly affects southwest Georgia, I’m going to listen to the local residents and make sure their perspective is represented in the discussion in Atlanta.
Wow - you are doing a lot for your constituents already! What can people do today to help your campaign and help you get elected?
The great thing about elections is that everyone can do something to help, no matter what your level of ability or income. I have many opportunities to help listed on my website. Donations always help.
In addition to donations, you can write postcards, make phone calls, go door-knocking, text, and even drive with me around your county. There really are jobs for every interest or comfort level, and we try to make it really easy for you to help by donating your time, talent, and resources.
Thank you to everyone who has pitched in so far - many people have pitched in when we’ve asked - and some have shown up to help even without being asked. Thank you so much. I hope the voters will continue to help, all across this country, in this state, and particularly in Southwest Georgia. I need you to step up in whatever way you can, big or small. November 9th is too late.
Photo credit: Elizabeth Karp Photography