Women and Politics

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 submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF Communications Fellow

How many U.S. Senators have ever been without health insurance? Or ever had to suffer a difficult illness while uninsured?

My guess is not many. Yet our Congress is working to reform our health care system to provide coverage for those without insurance—a situation they have never experienced.

If elected, U.S. Senate candidate from Illinois Cheryle Jackson, would bring a fresh and necessary voice to health care reform and our public leadership as a whole.

Cheryle Jackson is currently serving as President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. She is the first female executive of the organization and during her time as President, she increased membership to 7,000 members and increased the League’s visibility and involvement in the city of Chicago.

From a young age, Cheryle understood the struggles that people faced as well as the importance of education, which contributed greatly to her successes with the Chicago Urban League later on in her life.

Her personal experience has shaped her views on health care reform. After being uninsured while enduring a grave illness, Cheryle has a deeper understanding of those who are uninsured. She is a strong supporter of the public option that will provide a government-run insurance plan to those who do not have insurance.

Cheryle is also determined to end the sexism that many insurance companies use in order to over-charge female customers and deny women coverage because of certain pre-existing conditions. With the recent loss of Ted Kennedy’s seat to Scott Brown, who promised to vote against President Obama’s healthcare bill, the need for strong voices to pass healthcare has never been more necessary.

At a time in which only 17 women serve in the U.S. Senate, there has been no greater need for more female voices. Women’s health hinges on the passage (or denial) of certain bills.

We need Cheryle Jackson to provide a stronger voice for women to ensure that our reproductive freedoms will not be taken away.

This post was submitted by Jamie Bence, one of WCF’s Summer 2009 Fellows.

I have been wanting to write a blog post about Michelle Obama for a very, very long time. Sure, we all know her as the First Lady, but she also has a resume that (until recently), many say out shined her husband’s. I could hardly wait to write about her.

But when I sat down to begin my research, I realized that I was learning a lot about Michelle Obama’s toned arms, her dresses and her hair styles, but not very much about her policy initiatives. I was distraught. Was this remarkably gifted and accomplished woman taking a back seat in the White House?

As it turns out, she isn’t. Not at all. Although the media may be more interested in Mrs. Obama’s designer running shoes than her commitment to alleviating poverty in the DC area, she has actually committed to tackling a lofty and challenging array of issues since taking residence on Pennsylvania Avenue.

To be sure, Michelle Obama has enough experience from her pre-Washington work to spearhead just about any initiative she sees fit. In brief, she was raised on a tough neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, but quickly headed east, attending Princeton University and then Harvard Law School.

Mrs. Obama returned to Chicago to work for one of the oldest law firms in the world, but quickly turned to more political pursuits, working for Mayor Daley and eventually administering the University of Chicago Medical Center, and served as an associate Dean in the University. Oh, and she is also mother to Malia and Sasha, and campaigned tirelessly for her husband, culminating in the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

But that’s all in the past, and Michelle Obama is all about moving forward.  Today, the First Lady is focusing on a few important issues where she can have maximum impact.  The First Lady was vocal in explaining how the recent stimulus bill would impact urban laborers and government workers.  Her nationwide volunteer initiative, launched in May, brings her past success to the White House (she oversaw a 500% increase in volunteers while at the University of Chicago Medical Center).

Since being hired in March, the First Lady’s Chief of Staff, Susan Sherr, has set the East Wing ablaze with new ideas and a more vocal approach to policy. Sherr, along with the First Lady and Desiree Rogers, have aimed for a “seamless” relationship with the West Wing.  Mrs. Obama has utilized her close ties with Valerie Jarrett to ensure that her husband’s message is in line with her own.  Mrs. Obama has also made an effort to popularize organic gardening, which she says is a viable alternative for healthy food without paying exorbiant prices.

Most recently, the First Lady has entered the health care debate, weighing in on the difficult choices facing lawmakers.  She has taken a refreshing approach, candidly admitting that no option will be easy or without its shortcomings, but expressing the imperative of fixing our current system nonetheless.  I hope to hear more from Michelle Obama in the months and years to come- as her varied life experiences, extensive career accomplishments, and unique position of power inform her perspective on politics.