Susan Aumann has represented district 42B, Baltimore County, to the Maryland House of Delegates since 2003. As an NDP graduate, she is the ideal role model for our current girls hoping to fill similar leadership positions. I asked her the following questions.

1. When did you begin to see yourself in a political career?

I was on maternity leave from my accounting career when I first assisted delegate Robert Ehrlich with his finance requirements. Through observing him, I realized that the House of Delegates had a person-to-person relationship quality that I saw as important for making our state a better place to live, to achieve an education, and to work.

2. Could you describe the path that led you from NDP to the Maryland House of Delegates?

Notre Dame allowed me to develop a strong feminine quality of leadership that has allowed me to push through difficult barriers and satisfy my call to service. Notre Dame instilled in me a confidence in my ability to do good things for others and to derive joy from helping and giving back.

3. What motivates you to serve as a legislator?

Becoming a legislator was a challenging prospect; it demanded many hours of going door to door, meeting different people in the community, and earning their trust that my leadership was something they could count on. I enjoy working with people, and if I can help them in my position, I’m honored to do so. That’s what motivates me.

4. Over the course of your career, what issues have you championed most passionately?

I’ve served on the appropriations committee; that committee’s sole responsibility was to pass a balanced budget. Those budgets helped to spend millions of dollars helping people with their health, education, safety, and opportunities. Balancing that budget is a complex process with many gives and takes from other legislators. Personally, I have passed many bills dealing with safety for first responders in dealing with biological chemicals, suicide prevention, and human trafficking, amongst others.

5. How do you work with members of the opposite party to achieve legislative goals?

Political parties help with the election process, but once we are in Session, I view the work as what makes the most sense for our people. Too many times, there are divisions between the parties that get in the way of what we were elected to do. I am viewed as a common sense, sincere, effective legislator that deals with the issues, and not what polarizes the process. We all need to work together; the polarization of political parties can be destructive when you are impacting people’s lives and livelihoods.

6. Do your NDP values influence your approach to Maryland issues?

Yes. Notre Dame instilled in me the pillars of honesty, self-worth, feminine strength, sense of service, and integrity.

7. In your opinion, what about the state of Maryland has made it so successful in national rankings?

As a state, our tax dollars have provided the highest amount of money for public school education nationally. Our State has fantastic research universities—Hopkins, University of Maryland, as well as highly sought after medical facilities. We have industries that are regarded nationally such as Under Armour, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. We are blessed as a state to be situated so close to Washington DC, and agriculturally, we are blessed with fertile soil for our many farming communities.

8. Could you describe the election process? How do you generate the money required to campaign? How often do you face reelection? What strategies have led you to success?

Every four years, during Gubernatorial elections, State Delegates and State Senators are elected for a term of four years. Getting started as a candidate involves meeting as many people as you can and proving to them that you are the right candidate for the job. This gives you a path to fundraising. I have tried to raise upwards of $100,000 during the election cycle to be able to run a successful campaign in District 42. As an incumbent, someone that has been elected and has a voting record, I have a broader base for fundraising because of Political Action Committees (PACs), and lobbyists clients, who have seen that I will support their issues. Many hours during campaign season are spent going door-to-door, passing out literature, and introducing myself. It also requires time for the many community meetings and meetings with people as issues arise. What has led me to success is my willingness to work with and for people to help them to deal with the issues that arise.

9. When you’re not in Session, how do you spend your time/balance the demands of your career against maintaining your personal life?

Session runs from January to mid-April in Annapolis. When Session is over, I still have responsibilities to my constituents. My office is open Monday through Friday helping people even though I’m home in district 42 and not in Annapolis. The time demands are like any other profession. You have to schedule and determine the things that are important to spend time on.

11. How do you stay connected to the needs of your constituents?

My office is open every working day, and my assistant and I try to help whomever we can. We often hear things in the community through community meetings, neighborhood associations, and parent-teacher associations. We receive emails, letters, and phone calls daily, and we respond accordingly. During the session, I keep constituents informed by writing weekly updates of what important actions took place. At the end of session I include a wrap up of the bills that passed, failed or changed.

12. What advice would you give young women who aspire to fill a leadership position like your own?

My advice to young women today is to strive towards a goal and to break down barriers or find a way around them to reach that goal. Take calculated risks, and surround yourself with truthful, supportive friends. Continue to develop a strong sense of self and stand up for what you believe in. Aim high and have the courage to pursue your dreams. Always be true to yourself and others.

13. Do you have any final thoughts to share?

Notre Dame Prep allowed me to understand the meaning of feminine strength. The education I received was top notch, but the friends I made at NDP and grew with made my life fuller. My best friend to this day is Carol Schwemmer Purvis, `79. She has been my treasurer for my campaigns over the 14 years I have served as a Delegate. She has been invaluable and supportive since our days at the Prep.

You never know where life may take you, but the foundation that NDP gives you allows you to develop strengths that may lead you to something wonderful. I feel blessed that my path has given me the opportunity to help others, it has been truly rewarding.

Our daughter Catherine graduated in 2013 from NDP and is working towards a nursing degree from York College. She has been so supportive and encouraging, in part because of the similar qualities that were instilled in us through our years learning at Notre Dame Preparatory. We are working to help other in different ways and the qualities of giving are reflected in our work.