Women make up more than half of the nation's workforce, pursue advanced education at higher rates than men and were the primary income earners for nearly 40 percent of American families last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But a comparison of those figures with the number of women holding elected office, particularly in Pennsylvania, shows that women still have a long way to go in the public sector.

"Pennsylvania is way behind on women [holding elected office], particularly in comparison to other states," said Anne Bale, deputy director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women.

She noted that nationwide, women make up an average of 23.7 percent of state legislatures. In Pennsylvania, they make up 14.6 percent of the Legislature.

But last week's election showed that women are increasingly jumping into the political arena in Western Pennsylvania and aren't shying away from high-profile positions.

In Westmoreland County, 11 of 34 mayors elected or re-elected were women. In Butler County, six of the 19 who prevailed in the mayor's race were women.

"It makes me happy -- especially [since they're running] in small towns," said Saxonburg Mayor Jody Pflueger. "It seems like in small towns and boroughs, there's always men running for mayor, and that was the stereotype. But as the public showed [Nov. 3], that doesn't always have to be the case."

"The tides are changing," said Mary Popovich, who was elected the first woman mayor of West Newton last week. "I think people are thinking differently. I believe they really understand women can be educated, are involved in politics, read the paper and are used to multi-tasking."

The tides, however, are not changing in all areas. Of 25 PG East communities in Allegheny County, only three have female mayors: Jean Davin in Edgewood, Deneen Swartzwelder in Swissvale and Ina Jean Marton in White Oak.

Changes in constituents' views are one reason more women are taking office. But some say the increase has more to do with how women view themselves as politicians.

"I think it's probably just the times," said Barbara Griffin, who will take her position as Latrobe's first female mayor next year. "More women take more active roles in business and politics. Its just a better kind of climate in that [women] feel [they] can run and have a chance."

Ms. Griffin, a Republican, succeeded Tom Marflak as Latrobe's mayor. Mr. Marflak, also a Republican, had served one term before deciding to run for Westmoreland County prothonotary. He won the GOP nod in the primary but dropped out of the race during the summer.

Ms. Popovich said that negative campaigns, which deter many people from running, can be much worse for women. She said the level of gender-related hostility she encountered during her mayoral campaign was "very close" to that of when she worked in coal mines in the 1970s.

"When a candidate is in office and she's a woman, they attack her sexuality, and they don't do that to men," she said. "They give you nicknames, say bad things that are untrue. They try to do character assassination."

Ms. Bale agreed that gender-based political attacks still occur but said she believes the nation is "for the most part, getting beyond that." She said she believes constituents today cast votes based on key issues rather than gender biases.

Female mayors, too, are saying their decision to run for office had more to do with helping their communities than raising the profile of women in politics.

"I kind of always had in the back of my mind I always wanted to do something in politics ... I don't think it's any feminist thing," said Ms. Griffin, a retired teacher who worked in the Greater Latrobe School District.

"I didn't do it for political reasons, I did it because my town needed help," said Susan Bortz, who was re-elected as Derry Borough's mayor last week.

An attraction to human service as well as a visible increase in the number of women in politics eventually could lead women to a point of parity in the political arena, Ms. Bale said.

"Women often pick careers where they can help people. Of all jobs, this is one where you can really help people," she said.

"It seems natural that women can do this and we're working to get more of them to say, 'Yes, this is [the career] for me.' "

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.