Posts Tagged ‘Herseth Sandlin’
The increasing trend of more moms in politics
Mother’s Day provided an opportunity for women in politics to tell their stories of motherhood. Though I knew not many women give birth during their terms in office, I had no idea how few it really is: only seven women in U.S. history had babies while serving in Congress.
Kirsten Gillibrand and Herseth Sandlin are the most recent new mothers in Congress. Luckily, they tell CNN they’re are able to rely on their friends and family for support.
“As all women do, we talk all the time,” said Gillibrand. “Any time you need advice, you know, who do you ask? You ask your girlfriends.”
Though they have the ability to determine their own scheduling, their time demands are very high, and they often find themselves having to improvise on the go.
“We try to carve out that 20 minutes, but there will be a series of votes; I’ve got constituents waiting. Sometimes I take my black bag with my breast pump over to the Capitol in the Ladies’ Reading Room.”
Melinda Katz, who WCF endorsed for her NY City Council run, wrote a great Huffington Post article about her experience with motherhood and politics - which constantly causes her to analyze her choices.
“One thing you learn as a candidate or sitting official is that everything becomes a political issue. If I have to bring Carter with me — to an event, to City Hall for an emergency session — do I have to think twice about being accused of using him as a political prop, or do I decide to take whatever comes because I need to do what’s best for my kid?”
Though eager to hear thoughts about motherhood and politics, Melinda also reminds us that many other qualities define her and other women candidates:
Ultimately, I’m not just running as a woman or a mom. I’m running as a lawyer, a legislator, a skilled negotiator, a product of public schools, a New Yorker with great experience and compelling ideas about how to better steward the City’s finances through this tumultuous period.
I’m hopeful that the recent upswing of new mothers in office will continue and serve as an example to others that having children and a political career is possible.
