"Who runs the world? Girls."

Beyoncé's words ring true in Lexington County where women hold many positions of power and influence throughout the community.

In honor of March being Women's History Month, here are three local female leaders:

Paula Rawl Calhoon – District 87, South Carolina House of Representatives

Representing Lexington County in the State House, Rep. Paula Rawl Calhoon is proud to be the voice for Lexington County within the South Carolina House of Representatives. After teaching in Lexington School District One for nine years, she accepted the calling to serve her community by becoming the deputy director of the S.C. Commission on Prosecution Coordination from 1991-2011. Shortly after retiring from that role, she volunteered her time at Lexington Medical Center and then was asked to accept the call to public service again.

Calhoon was elected in 2018 to serve as the District 87 representative for Lexington County.

“Public service is my God-given mission field,” she told the Chronicle. Her passion for service and children previously landed her a seat on the Education and Public Works Committee. This year she has been appointed to the House Judiciary Committee and has been elected by her colleagues to serve on the House Ethics Committee.

In addition to her roles on the different committees, Gov. Henry McMaster has also appointed her to work with children on the Inner Agency Coordinating Council. This is where she takes a front-line role with different state agencies that work with children and can bring different needs and awareness to legislation. Her most recent endeavor is meeting with parents and different representatives about the major need for assistance in schools for children with disabilities or autism.

“South Carolina students and parents need this support... and we have been shown a great deal of support in this area for seeing these students get the tools they need for success,” Calhoon said. “To see everyone pulling together for this common goal of supporting our children is just another reason why I am proud to be a South Carolinian.”

She also has a heart for women – especially for her two daughters, mother, three sisters and a sister-in-law. “With all the women I love in my life, I want to stress the importance for women to support other women,” she said.

Amy Reeves – Executive Director, Mission Lexington

You can find her leading the way for her staff and a multitude of volunteers at Mission Lexington, which some see as the heartbeat of Lexington County. Amy Reeves serves as the executive director for the mission after being in real estate for 24 years and serving with other various local nonprofits.

“My whole life I have been in service, it is something that my parents instilled in me at a young age,” Reeves said. “I recall my early years serving on mission trips and volunteering with the Red Cross... I have always had the deep conviction of giving back because God has blessed us so much.”

After serving as the director of community outreach in 2023, she accepted the call to deeper service and transitioned into the executive director role in fall 2024.

“I feel unworthy of this role and to lead an amazing staff of leaders and volunteers,” she said. “I’m the one that is blessed to call this work.”

She says she is committed to seeing that clients are well served through Mission Lexington, as well as staff, leaders and volunteers.

“We are very committed to leadership development,” Reeves said. “Leaders making leaders is what we are all about. We want to lead by the example of Jesus Christ and model our leadership after Him.”

Committed to leadership development and being a graduate of the program, she serves on the committee for the Leadership Lexington program that pours into local community figures for a yearlong commitment.

Being a person of faith, Reeves and her family attend Mt. Horeb Church in Lexington. Reflecting on the many leaders she serves alongside at Mission Lexington, she is grateful for the many selfless women and men she gets to work with.

“I work with amazing female leaders every day... typically with nonprofit and ministry roles, this is an area that mainly has men leading these organizations,” she said. “Here at Mission Lexington, my female leaders and directors really shine and it is a privilege to serve our community alongside them every day.”

Elise Partin – Mayor, City of Cayce

Mayor Elise Partin holds two honorable distinctions: being the first female mayor for the city of Cayce and being the longest-serving mayor in the Midlands region since her election in 2008.

“My mom worked for Mayor Riley in Charleston, and so from a young age I got to see the impact of local and municipal government,” Partin said. “It really is my favorite level of government... it is my passion because you can make such a difference to serve people at this level.”

Partin recalls being elected as a young woman into a male-dominated public office. “My dad raised me to have the mindset that I could do anything, and so when I was called to public office, I just wanted to work hard and learn to better serve my community. So when I got elected as mayor, I was widely embraced by an older male population. They really trusted my leadership and vision, and it was refreshing to see.”

Her heart is to serve the citizens of Cayce and Lexington County by improving the quality of life in the area and supporting small businesses that make the area unique. She also serves on the advisory board of DemocraShe, a nonprofit that raises up female leaders for civic engagement and leadership.

Partin is also a faculty member of the Buckley School of Public Speaking, based in Camden. She has been nominated for and has received several awards during her time in public office for her service to the community.

As an advocate for young women stepping up to serve within the community, Partin said, “Don’t wait. Sometimes you think you don't know enough or aren't ready to step into a role in public office.

“Us women are strong and fast learners, don’t wait to offer yourself up for service. There will be many other fellow women waiting to help and guide you, including myself. I want young women to believe that she can make a difference and be mayor too.”

One of the many jewels in the crown of Lexington County is the strength, resilience and service of the many women who work hard to make Lexington a great place to live. And there are so many other notable female leaders like Town of Lexington Mayor Hazel Livingston, Angelle LaBorde with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and state Sen. Katrina Shealy.