When a high-ranking delegation from Kyrgyzstan visited the Montana Legislature last spring, its members were amazed to learn Montana has female politicians, and that a woman -- Missoula's Carol Williams -- is the Senate majority leader.

The Kyrgyz do not have a single woman leader in their parliament. After seeing Williams in action, the delegation invited her to their homeland to talk about how to bring gender parity to their political system.

Williams accepted the offer and headed off to Kyrgyzstan by herself from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7, on a trip funded by the U.S. State Department's speakers bureau project.

Any time she can help champion the cause of women, minorities and young people, she's doing her job, said Williams, who has been home but a few days.

"They are trying desperately to have a democracy, but there is not enough inclusion of women, minorities or young leaders," Williams said Wednesday.

Kyrgyzstan's efforts to emerge from the shadow of Russian politics are complicated by the country's president, Kurmanbek Bakiev, who is aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The close relationship has caused some tension between the parliament and the president, which will be tested in coming weeks. The parliament is working to make changes to the country's constitution, which would allow different political parties to be included in the process. Bakiev previously opposed the change, but has recently said he supports it. Parity, Williams said, ultimately rests in the hands of the various political parties; it must be a priority within the parties if Kyrgyzstan's politics and rules are to truly represent all of its people, she said.

The former Soviet-controlled country is about the size of South Dakota, has about 5 million people and looks a whole lot like Montana, said Williams, a Democrat.

Montanans would benefit by getting to know the country, she said. Not only is it a sister state for Montana with a vital relationship with the Montana National Guard, but it shares many geographic traits. It is a country that relies on mining, timber and agriculture. Its mountains reminded Williams of Glacier country and, like Montana, the economy could benefit from tourism and recreation businesses.

Kyrgyzstan is surrounded by China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

"It is a little beacon struggling to make a democracy," Williams said.

Nonprofit social and education agencies have set up shop in the country to aid in that effort, she said. They help the country keep a foothold on democracy by having people on the ground, and bringing resources and support to small outposts and urban areas.

"We should care about them because they are struggling with that effort," Williams said. "And it is important to have a democratic country in that part of the world."

Now that she's back home, Williams plans to meet with state education leaders and Gov. Brian Schweitzer to discuss ways to strengthen Montana's ties to Kyrgyzstan.

She'd like to see more educational exchanges, more mentoring relationships between Montana and Kyrgyz politicians, and, in general, more back-and-forth between the people of Kyrgyzstan and Montana.

Williams found the trip so inspiring, she can't wait to go back.

"If they elected some women into the parliament, I'll go back for sure," she said. "One of the things that was made clear to me on this trip was how much more I have yet to do here."

"Even in this country, we have a long ways to go to get more women elected in our political system," she said. "Trips like this one bring your beliefs and your own country into focus and because of that, it will continue to make me a better American as the result of it."