The Associated Press has used research from the National Conference of State Legislatures to show which states have the highest percentage of women in state legislature and other important public office, and which states have the lowest. See it here. Thanks to Carla Marinucci for the link.
There is more information on the NCSL site.
Some factors: District size (eg VT and MT). Legislator might not be as prestigious a position, door-to-door campaigning may be possible, and media buys relatively expensive considering they are non-targeted. Contrast with CA with a low percentage for a western state.
Ease of commuting to capital (eg CO, AZ, WA, OR, MD). Women can maintain household and serve in legislature. Compare to PA.
More rural states, a legislator may have had to work there way up from county commissioner, etc., which may screen out women. In areas with cities and suburbs, path may or may not be through city council and school district boards, but may be through party activities.
Cultural, highest percentages are in West and New England, lowest in South.
Population change (eg NV v. PA) Someone who has lived in Nevada for ten years may be considered an old timer. In Pennsylvania, someone who isn’t multigenerational in the area may be considered a newcomer.
Some sort of quota stuff in the nonstop raving media ???