
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994                    TAG: 9406020755 
SECTION: HAMPTON ROADS WOMAN                     PAGE: 05    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940605                                 LENGTH: Medium

LOCAL WOMEN BACK CLUTE FOR SENATE

{LEAD} THERE WERE MEMBERS of the Women's Political Caucus present, as well as the Women's Attorney Association and reps from the YWCA.

U.S. senatorial candidate Sylvia Clute, hasn't had the best statewide support from women's organizations, but last week, a group of local woman gathered to offer support.

{REST} More than 80 women gathered at Virginia Wesleyan College on Tuesday to hear the Richmond attorney drum up support in the final days before the June 14 Democratic primary.

``I was not in the least bit interested in going to this. . . I had already made up my mind who I was going to vote for,'' said Barbara Lewis, owner of Charm Associates in Virginia Beach.

``But I really liked her. I like people who build cooperation between all of us. If more people would hear her speak, she would have so many more supporters.''

The annual meeting of the Southeastern Virginia Women's Political Caucus began as a forum to recognize state Sens. L. Louise Lucas and Yvonne Miller, Virginia Beach Mayor E. Meyera Oberndorf and Portsmouth Mayor Gloria O. Webb.

But the night was Clute's, a woman opinion polls show up to three-fourths of all voters have never heard of. She has an uphill battle against U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb in the primary, but Tuesday's coalition promised strong support.

The women cheered Clute as she led them through her rough start in the '70s as one of the few female lawyers in Richmond. And a chorus of ``She's marvelous'' punctuated her years in changing state codes to provide better legal protection to women and abuse victims.

``When I entered (the race) I had a vision. I knew we needed a person who had a good record, someone who stood for competency,'' Clute said, to nods of approval.

``We don't accept the game-playing. . . we demand better.''

The president of the local caucus was pleased with the evening.

``I don't know what it is that's keeping some women from supporting women who are politically active. . . but we need to start supporting one another,'' Mary Pat Liggio said.

``It only makes sense to support her. She's what we're all about.'' by CNB