Recent state legislation will give women much-needed recognition and authority if passed.

State Rep. Ruth Rudy, D-Centre and Mifflin, has proposed a bill that would require the number of women serving on the state's appointed boards and commissions to be proportionate to the respective gender population.

Women hold only 300 of the nearly 1,300 appointed positions in the state. However, women constitute about 52 percent of the population in Pennsylvania.

Females are gaining prominence in various professions and the failure of government officials to recognize this advancement is unacceptable.

Rudy's bill would help women earn a necessary voice in policy making. Many women could gain experience from the position and possibly use it as a stepping stone to an elected office.

Some opponents argue that because only a limited number of people appoint board and commission members, agreeing on who is responsible to select women would be unclear. However, legislators should take it upon themselves to select proportionate numbers of men and women.

Also, the practice of automatically giving seats to members of certain organizations can be eliminated or adjusted to ensure that a sufficient number of women receive positions.

Ten other states are considering similar legislation while four others have already passed measures to ensure that the number of positions between men and women are either balanced or equal. This work bodes well for increasing women's voices in di different areas of authority.

The state's history of failing to name women to appointed positions has propagated disrespect for them. Failure to pass this legislation would show contempt and lack of confidence in women's abilities.

Earning more respect for women in government begins with putting more women in responsible positions.