Gov. Janet Mills will be sworn in for her second term on Jan. 4. She had a very special role model as a little girl, former U.S. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith.

Sen. Smith inspired Gov. Mills to public duty, and to earn her leadership skill set with service. Smith as a role model taught Mills to be a pioneer, a groundbreaker. It would be too simplistic to think of Gov. Mills’ service exclusively while she has been governor; her service is so much bigger, longer and more distinguished than that!

As Gov. Mills stood on Sen. Smith’s shoulders, Maine’s future female leaders will stand on Gov. Mills’ shoulders.

Bob Jean

Lubec