‘I haven’t taken it personally’: Hurricane mayor shares challenges as a woman in leadership roles

In this file photo, then-mayoral candidate Nanette Billings speaks at a forum, Hurricane, Utah, Oct. 4, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — While the first woman mayor of Hurricane, Nanette Billings, bumped into challenges while serving on the City Council, she said she doesn’t take it personally and strives to work with all viewpoints. She spoke about these challenges on Monday at the American Association of University Women monthly luncheon where she was invited as the guest speaker.  


Nanette Billings, Hurricane Mayor, was the guest speaker at the American Association of University Women (AAUW) monthly luncheon Monday, St. George, Utah, February 7, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

“People can struggle with any leader (male or female). I have had some challenges with men,” Billings said. “I don’t see that it’s on purpose, and I think that it’s just the way that they are. And so, I haven’t taken it personally.”

She encouraged everyone to be kind and treat one another with respect even when having conflicts with others. When working on community boards or government, remember everyone is on the same team, she added. 

“This is a human issue; it’s not a gender issue. There’s always going to be a difference between men and women and the way we do some things, the way problems are solved,” Billings said.

She recounted that in a City Council meeting about two years ago, a man told her, “Well, you’re just looking at that because you’re female.”

New Hurricane Mayor Nanette Billings poses next to her husband Willie Billings and two sons at her swearing-in ceremony, Hurricane, Utah. Jan. 3, 2022 | Photo by Sarah Torrbio, St. George News

Billings said she responded by agreeing with him, adding that she represents 50% of the people who live in Hurricane, who are women. And that man was representing the other 50%, which are the men of the community.

She said her experiences have taught her not to take things personally and recognize that it’s the other person’s issue. She said that they’re the ones that are not kind, are inconsiderate, or are not being good people.

“It’s good to have diversity; that other side means a different viewpoint. And often, women look at things maybe as human beings rather than an object. And sometimes, men look at things more as an object,” Billings said. “But maybe let’s consider and talk about the other way.”

Another example of a challenge with men was during a City Council Zoom meeting. The former mayor, John Bramall, called Billings on her mobile phone during the session.

She said Bramall told her, “Listen, I just want you to know, we’re trying to get through this meeting. And so, I want you to stop asking questions.”

The Zoom council meeting had six department heads speak, presenting their budget requests. And at the end of the presentation, they opened the floor up for questions.

Bramall also said, “Listen, Nanette, you are intimidating the staff,” she said.

Billings responded that if the staff is intimidated by a U.S. citizen or council member asking them questions, they may need to get another career. She said her job is to understand why departments need certain items and the cost.

She said he said: “Stop asking questions. Do you want to finish the meeting?” 

When Billings pointed out other people have been asking questions, Bramall responded, “I don’t care,” and hung up on her, she said.

“I’ve never had somebody be so disrespectful and rude. I just have never dealt with that,” Billings said.

Three days later, she called Bramall and they discussed what had happened. She said she cited the Golden Rule, “Do unto others that you would have them do unto you.”

“We have to bring it to the table, so people are aware when the problem arises. We solve it. We’re all human, and we all are working together, and we’re all on the same page; we’re trying to solve the problem,” she said.

Billings ended her presentation by pointing out that women need to learn to navigate power structures. She advised women to show up and stand out. If a woman works in the same field as a man, she should not be intimidated when asking for fair pay.

Statistics show most women often do not ask for a raise, she said, and they should feel free to demand equal pay, especially when they know that a man in the same position for less time is making more. 

“We have to be able to address the situation,” she said.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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