Women are just as capable as men, proclaimed participants at last night's Institute of Politics (IOP) discussion on "Women in Political Parties: Two Perspectives from Two States."

And those who came to discuss the topic proved their superior ability to handle any unsuspected challenges when they arrived to speak and found an Expository Writing 20 course holding a viewing of "Lawrence of Arabia" in the originally scheduled room, Harvard Hall 102.

Undeterred from the task at hand, the two speakers, Barbara M. Barrett and Myrth York, traveled with 15 students and several boxes of pizza to the Straus Common Room to hold their discussion on the role of women in politics.

"It's one more demonstration of our 'nimbility.' We roll with the punches and make do with what we've got," said Barrett, Republican candidate for Arizona governor in 1994 and IOP fellow.

Barrett and York, an IOP fellow who was the Democratic nominee for governor of Rhode Island in 1994 and 1998, shared their experiences dealing with politics in their respective states.

Lack of equality is still the greatest obstacle for women involved in politics, York said.

"There's still a long way for women to go as equals in the political establishment," York said. "Power has to be taken away from someone who already has it."

Still, York cautioned that people should not vote for a woman without considering her political views.

York said the word "woman" often becomes shorthand for "change."