Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

What’s the number one issue on voters’ minds—regardless of their party affiliation—this election cycle? Jobs. According to a recent poll conducted by the George Washington University, 39% of those surveyed listed jobs and the economy their primary concern and 16% listed them as their secondary issue.

Needless to say that in one of the worst economic recessions this country has experienced, we need elected officials who understand the situation and are pushing for job creation.

Rosemary Palmer, candidate for State Representative in Ohio’s 16th district, has named job creation her highest priority if elected to office. Palmer’s extensive jobs plan involves utilizing her district’s unique location, infrastructure, as well as the wide array of research facilities to create green jobs that will not only restore the economy, but dramatically help the environment. On her green initiative, Palmer says,

“Our region’s survival will be difficult without this dramatic turnaround. However, these are not the only industries or policies that can make Ohio a global powerhouse again. We’ll need the hundreds of niche industries and innovative policies that Ohioans can provide. If ever we needed a serious discussion about what we all believe, the time is now”.

In addition, Palmer’s journalism experience as the co-founder of Capitol News Services gives her a holistic understanding of the workings of the state and federal government.

Furthermore, Palmer’s work in lobbying against the Iraq war resulted in praise from high-level government officials on both sides of the aisle, such as Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Senator George Voinovich.

As the Sun-Post Herald points out, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, upon endorsing Rosemary’s bid for office, said,

“I have known Rosemary for some time and got to know her well after her son Augie was killed in Iraq. Her passion for ending that war pushed her into public service as an advocate for policies that support the public good in the 21st Century.“

To learn more about Palmer and her stance on other important issues, click here.

Palmer’s election will not only help to improve our economy and create jobs, but it will also be one step in closing the gender gap in state legislatures—where women compose only 24% of the seats. Palmer faces the Democratic primary in Ohio next Tuesday, May 4.

This post was submitted by Ann McLane Kuster, Candidate for Congress (NH-02)

Next week I’m headed down to New York for WCF’s “Parties of Your Choice” Gala, and I thought it would be a good time to share here one of the reasons I chose to run for Congress this year – and why I think more women should run.

I’ve worked here in New Hampshire as an attorney and a public policy advocate my whole life, focusing on improving access to health care and affordable higher education.  But I’ve also worked as an adoption attorney for the past twenty-five years, and in doing so I have been reminded hundreds of times about the importance of trusting women to have autonomy over their lives.  It’s a lesson that has sadly often fallen on deaf ears in Washington.

As an adoption attorney I have dedicated my career to the autonomy of women - young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate - who have faced the daunting decision of an unplanned pregnancy.  I have represented birthmothers from age 14 to 44, from junior high school to a junior at a prestigious college, from living in a car to the nicest neighborhoods in town. I have witnessed the courage and grace of teenagers facing emergency Caesarians and women showing up at the emergency room in labor having never told anyone about being pregnant. I have represented women pregnant from date rape, incest and abusive relationships and women who thought pregnancy would bring happiness to a failed relationship.  We laugh together, we cry together and in the end, we make our way together to another day.

Most birthmothers come to me late in the pregnancy, often just a few weeks before delivery. My role is to offer them legal support and guidance through the adoption process. Most birthmothers choose to receive counseling about their decision to place their baby for adoption. All of the birthmothers choose the prospective adoptive family who will parent their child and many choose to meet the parents before the birth. Some birthparents and adoptive families choose to visit in the hospital and exchange photos and letters as the baby grows up. Occasionally, they may even meet again later in life and now, after 25 years, I am asked to arrange birthparent reunions with grown children.

Witnessing these courageous women make difficult life decisions, and supporting them through the adoption process, has been the honor of my life.  When I hear politicians in Washington argue over how far they can restrict reproductive rights in pending health care legislation – and when I see special interests poised to kill reform entirely – I can’t help but think that having a Congress made up of only 17% women is, in effect, shortchanging the American people.  We deserve to have our entire nation, and all of its challenges and experiences, represented in Washington.

So I’m putting my money where my mouth is – I’m running for Congress.

Running for office for the first time isn’t easy, but more than 1,600 supporters have contributed to my campaign since I began last summer, helping raise over $650,000 and making our race one of the most competitive races in the nation.  We have a long way to go, but I know that I am doing my part to amplify women’s voices in Washington, and I know that more than 1,600 supporters are doing their part as well.  Please join us! Together, we can make a difference.

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF Communications Fellow

WCF applauds Rep. Julie Hamos and Cheryle Jackson for two well-run campaigns. Thank you for taking the brave step of running for federal office and setting an example to women all around the country.

In a hard-fought race for the slot as the Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 10th congressional district, Julie Hamos was defeated by a mere 500 votes, with 99% of all precincts reporting. We hope that Hamos will continue to run for public office, as we desperately need experienced women who are dedicated to protecting women’s reproductive freedoms.

In spite of extreme media scrutiny, Cheryle Jackson ran a strong campaign for U.S. Senate. As a personal victim of the current lackluster health care system, Jackson serves as a fresh voice to U.S. politics. In her concession speech last night, Jackson said:

“Tonight we are here for a different kind of victory. Maybe not the victory we wanted but I view tonight as still a victory. I jumped into this race to give a voice to everyday people. People who are often overlooked by government”.

Women win and lose elections at the same rate of men. However, 50% less women even consider running, with only a fraction making the decision to become a candidate or run for higher office.

Research shows that women must be asked to run at least six times before they seriously consider running for public office. With only 17% of Congress being women, we must ensure that more women all across the country are running for office.

We only lose when women don’t run. Ask a woman you know today to run for office!

We are very proud of our endorsed candidates for their desire to bring about change, and strongly encourage them to run again, and for higher office, in the future.

This post was written by WCF Fellow, Stephanie Glover

Congratulations, Martha. After winning the Massachusetts Democratic primary, you are on your way to becoming the first female senator from Massachusetts!

Massachusetts participated in an historic vote yesterday as voters went to the polls for a special election to fill the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s seat. In the Democratic stronghold of Massachusetts, Martha’s win in the Democratic primary makes her strongly favored to win the general election next month. This would be a monumental win as Massachusetts has never had a female senator or governor in their 221 year-old history. This is about to change!

In her victory speech last night, Martha talked about the challenges facing women running for office, specifically in Massachusetts: “They said women don’t have much luck in Massachusetts politics – we believed, that it was quite possible that that luck was about to change!” And, that luck is changing with Martha on her way to the general election.

Martha’s victory couldn’t have come at a more important time, when crucial issues affecting women are being debated in the Senate and House. The Senate will benefit greatly from her voice and perspective. Martha is committed to reproductive choices and recently said about women’s health care, “It’s personal with me, and it’s personal with every woman.” As a WCF-endorsed candidate, Martha is a leader on these issues and will make a strong addition to the Senate.

Currently, women make up only 17% of the United States Senate, even though they represent over 50% of the population. Martha’s election would bring that percentage up to 18%, making us one step closer to equality. As MA Senator John Kerry said, “Tonight the glass ceiling in Massachusetts politics was smashed into a thousand pieces.”

This post was submitted by WCF Fellow, Stephanie Glover.

On September 3, 2009 Martha Coakley announced her historic bid for the United States Senate. She is running to fill the seat of the late Senator Edward Kennedy and her victory will mean the first female senator from Massachusetts. Today, the Women’s Campaign Forum (WCF) enthusiastically endorses Martha Coakley’s candidacy.

Martha Coakley is an exciting candidate who will do great things for Massachusetts. As WCF President/CEO Sam Bennett said, “Martha Coakley has been a trailblazer for women in Massachusetts for twenty years. What she has achieved as Massachusetts’ first female Attorney General reaches far above and beyond the glass ceiling. She is the perfect candidate to carry the torch for civil rights and equality that Senator Kennedy fought so hard to advance and preserve.”

Attorney General Coakley has served the state of Massachusetts in a variety of capacities, as Attorney General, Middlesex District Attorney, President of Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association, and President of the Women’s Bar Association. Her twenty years of public service and potential as a influential woman in the United States Senate contributed to WCF’s endorsement. In response, Ms. Coakley said:

I am running for the U.S. Senate because I believe that the toughest issues facing women and the toughest issues facing the nation are one and the same. We need strong leadership to provide increased economic opportunity and fair wages. We need to fix our broken healthcare system, and we need to ensure that we truly have civil rights for all. The Women’s Campaign Forum has been at the forefront in bringing more women to the leadership table and I am honored to have their support.

Martha’s candidacy is historic because she would become the first female Senator from Massachusetts - but it’s made even more special because of her rich history as a champion for women.

Congratulations, Martha Coakley!

To learn more about Martha Coakley, visit her website.

After 32 incredible years of serving as the President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Kim Gandy is moving on to be a resident Fellow this fall at the Institute of Politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School. I want to congratulate Terry O’Neill, NOW’s new president. As the new kid on the block in the women’s community, it’s my job to learn the ropes from the women who have dedicated the whole of their professional lives striving to help create a level playing field for women in this nation.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with many longstanding women’s leaders, and I’ve been completely blown away by the openness, receptivity and generosity I’ve encountered. By all these benchmarks, Kim Gandy stands out. Recently unable to stay at my usual digs in D.C., Kim, husband and know-their-own-mind daughters lent me a pillow, a shower and a delicious barbecue. Leading the largest feminist organization nationally with 500,000 women and 5,987 chapters strong, Kim is also a dedicated mom and wife with warmth and humor to spare. No wonder she’s so universally well-liked.

Kim’s departure is self-admittedly bittersweet:

“Term limits are good, but frustrating when there’s still so much to do!”

Her concern?

“Fifty years after Brown vs. the Board of Education I had higher hopes for the progress we would have made and the progress that would have been sustained.”

Fifty years later, we still aren’t where we need to be—lagging well behind the rest of the world in the number of women in public leadership. I don’t know about you, but I’m mad as heck and ain’t gonna take it anymore!

So what am I dedicating the hours I have left on this planet to? Getting more women elected in this nation. Not only do women at the legislative and decision-making table ensure better results and a healthier nation, it sends all the right messages to the women and especially the young women of this nation.

After fifty years, we should have come further. Join me and support a woman who has the courage to run for office today, at all levels, because we need women at all levels running for office.

TODAY’S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Donate today to a women candidate. Our nation will be stronger for it!

WCF has just announced a fresh round of newly endorsed candidates.  Check out this list of outstanding women, who are running for a spectrum of positions, from College Board to the United States Congress.

At WCF, we believe in the critical importance of supporting women at the state and local levels. And we’re excited to say that we’ve recently seen an increase in the pool of our “down-ballot” candidates.  Be sure to check out our complete list of 2009 and 2010 Endorsed Candidates.

With only 17% of Congress being women, we know how critical it is to achieve equality for the strength and future of our nation. And that’s why we’re proud to be there and help launch the political career of so many strong women leaders. If we want women to achieve equality up to the highest ranks of power, we must ensure they run for office in the first place.

And now, our list of Newly Endorsed Candidates.  Drum roll please…

• Representative Ruth Balser is running for Mayor Newton, Massachusetts. Ruth has been a dedicated public official for nearly twenty years.
• Suzanne Barclay is running for Supervisor of the town of Orangetown, New York. As the Executive Assistant to the Supervisor since 2001, Suzanne has assumed the lead role for major planning initiatives.
• Irene Hernandez-Blair is running for the Governing Board of Chaffey Community College in California. A resident of the City of Chino for over 10 years, Irene has long been a proponent of educational equality. She has worked in Public Service for 17 years.
• Melinda Katz is running for New York City Comptroller. Melinda realized her longstanding desire to enter public service at the age of 28, when she was elected to the New York State Assembly. As an Assemblywoman, she authored 16 bills, including the first in the country that required HMO’s to provide women with direct access to OB/GYN care.
• Dana Marie Kennedy is running for Phoenix City Council. A leading advocate for families, retirees, and women for over 20 years, Dana currently serves as the spokeswoman for the Arizona branch of the nation’s largest workers’ organization, representing over 165,000 of her home state’s laborers.
• Stephanie Miner is running for Mayor of Syracuse, New York. In the 1990s, she served as Regional Representative for then-Governor Mario Cuomo. In 2001, she ran and was elected to the Syracuse Common Council. Stephanie quickly earned a reputation for finding innovative solutions to the city’s challenges. She drafted and passed legislation such as the Say Yes to Education and the Star Exemption Programs. Stephanie was re-elected to Council in 2005.
• Patricia O’Dwyer is running for County Executive of Orange County, New York. Pat has extensive experience in government and economic development. She has been assistant to former Governor Mario Cuomo for Women’s and Ethnic Issues, assistant for health services for a former Queens Borough President, and Assistant District Attorney in the Domestic Violence Bureau under DA Charles Hynes, among other positions.
• Kathleen Rice is running for re-election for District Attorney of Nassau County, New York. On November 8, 2005, Rice defeated 30-year incumbent Denis Dillon, by a margin of 51%-49% (about 8000 votes). Rice is the first woman to serve in this position.
• Jo Anne Simon is running for New York City Council, Brooklyn District 33. An adjunct Associate Professor at Fordham University School of Law, Jo Anne is an attorney in Brooklyn, concentrating on discrimination in higher education, high stakes standardized testing and employment.  Jo Anne currently serves as female Democratic District Leader and State Committeewoman for the 52nd Assembly District.
• Representative Margaret Vanderhye is running for reelection to the Virginia House of Delegates (34th District). Among Margi’s many accomplishments is her appointment by President Bill Clinton to the National Capital Planning Commission.
• Anne McLane Kuster is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Hampshire (2nd District). A partner in the Concord, N.H. law firm of Rath, Young and Pignatelli, Ann is Director of the firm’s Education and Non-Profit Law Practice Group. Ann focuses her legal practice primarily on nonprofit, education, and health policy.
• Barbara Ann Radnofsky is running for Texas Attorney General. She practices law on both sides of the docket and is a mother, wife, teacher, lawyer and mediator. In 2006, after 27 years of law practice, Barbara Ann became the first woman in history to serve as the Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee.

If you feel inspired by this list of outstanding women, please take the time to visit their websites, and consider volunteering for their campaigns or contributing to their victory funds.

Do you know a woman who should be in public office?  Tell her She Should Run.