Last year, voters in the city of Watertown elected their first female mayor.

Breaking that glass ceiling has become more common in recent years, but even those breaking that glass want to ensure any candidate will be a good representative.

What You Need To Know

  • Last year, Sarah Compo Pierce was elected as Watertown's mayor, the first woman to ever win that seat

  • Compo Pierce has spent many years championing the growth of women in politics

  • However, she says never should anyone be chosen to represent others unless they have the right passion, goals and beliefs for the people they want to represent

“Sometimes I still have to pinch myself and remind myself, you know, that this was a big deal to be elected,” Watertown Mayor Sarah Compo Pierce said.

Along the back wall of Watertown’s city council chambers are photographs of each of the city's past mayors.

“It's also been, you know, a lot of responsibility. At the end of the day, every day, I'm trying to set a good example for the young people in the community,” she added.

Elected last November, Compo Pierce — a former city councilor and chief of staff for former state Sen. Patty Ritchie — will eventually be the first woman on that wall.

“I would hope that when our young people do see that, that they think, especially the young girls, they think, 'maybe I could do something like that someday,' ” she said.

Over the years, Compo Pierce's dedicated her time to promoting women in politics. She says what she's seen over the past few years has been amazing.

“We've seen women in different leadership positions at all levels for the first time,” she said, referencing Ritchie, former Jefferson County Sheriff Colleen O’Neill and others.

However, through that excitement, she also believes there is a delicate balance.

“I’ve been asked this question a lot: 'What does it mean to be the first woman? Why do you think we need more women in office,' that kind of thing. But for me, I don't think gender should play a role in it,” she said.

She says she believes there is a difference between being a candidate and being a good representative.

“I wouldn't want somebody to vote for me just because, 'hey, you know, it'd be great to have a woman in that position.' I would want people to look at me and say, 'OK, that person has the right ideas. That person has the right experience. That person is capable of the job,' ” Compo Pierce said.