President Theodore Roosevelt delivered his famous "Citizenship in a Republic" speech, featuring the "Man in the Arena" passage, in Paris in 1910. The speech highlights the value of action, perseverance, and character over criticism or inaction, stressing that a nation’s success depends on disciplined citizens and strong leadership. Now, picture him delivering a keynote at the women’s luncheon at an ICMA Annual Conference. Visualize his trademark energy and charisma, captivating the audience as he proclaims something like this:

It is not the critic who matters, nor the woman who merely observes another’s missteps. The true honor belongs to the woman in the arena—her face marked by dust and sweat—who strives with courage, stumbles and rises, and dedicates herself to a worthy cause. At her best, she achieves greatness; at her worst, she fails boldly, knowing she dared greatly.

Last year, we had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Women in the Civic Arena (WICA) event hosted by the Riley Center at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. This one-of-a-kind opportunity was designed by Peggy Merriss (executive director for the Georgia City/County Management Association, former ICMA President, and longtime city manager) and Kate Fitzpatrick, ICMA-CM (ICMA Northeast Regional Director and longtime city manager).  We were joined by 12 other women, representing a strong start to what is expected to become a recurring and impactful program. The WICA weekend retreat was created to provide a space for women at the executive level in local government to understand the challenges facing women in the profession, share experiences, make connections, and develop a plan to live their whole, authentic selves.  The event continued this year with a second cohort.  WICA 2027 is on the books for January 8-10, 2027.  For additional information, send an email to RileyCenter@cofc.edu. 

“I attended the inaugural class of the Women in the Civic Arena in Charleston in January 2025, just a couple of months after departing my position as a city manager in California. Joining the cohort of women at various stages in their careers was exactly the group I needed to renew my faith in local government and to help chart my path forward post-life as a city manager. As the co-founder of the League of Women in Government in 2015, I have always supported programming designed to advance women in local government. WICA picked up the next baton—how to leave a legacy in local government while not losing yourself. Cohorts like the one I was a part of in WICA are essential to all women in local government, and I will always be grateful to have had the experience.”

~ Reflections from Pamela Antil, CEO & managing director, Beacon Group, former city manager, Encinitas, California, and co-founder of The League of Women in Government.

“Attending the first Women in the Civic Arena event was a full-circle moment for me. The event was held at my undergraduate alma mater. Our opening dinner took place in a historical building that was the exact site of my college graduation ceremony, before I began my MPA studies. Returning to that space as a local government executive, surrounded by accomplished women from across the country, was serendipitous.

The fellowship and acknowledgment that we are in the arena—making waves, uplifting each other, and exemplifying service to others—were inspiring and humbling. This spirit is central to ICMA’s SheLeadsGov Committee, for which I serve as co-chair.

Our success as women local government executives is rooted in events like WICA, which fostered personal development, created a network of support, and reminded us to dare greatly.”

~ Reflections from Monica N. Spells, ICMA-CM, deputy county administrator, Loudoun County, Virginia, and co-chair of the ICMA SheLeadsGov Committee.