Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Sophie Shulman, WCF Communcations Fellow

This November, women in American politics have the opportunity to break yet another glass ceiling. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, eight states have the potential to elect their first female governor ever. 26 states have never had a female governor, and, currently, there are only six women serving as governors in the entire country. These statistics, in conjunction with women’s 17% representation in Congress, paint a dismal picture of women’s participation in the political system.

In many ways, women’s representation at the state level is actually more important than at the federal level. While Senators and Congresswomen tend to make more impressive role models, state legislators and governors often have more impact on women’s day-to-day lives. Indeed, Governor Charlie Crist’s brave decision last month to veto a bill that would require pre-abortion ultrasounds is just one example of governors providing the first line of defense for women’s rights. Here at WCF, we work to elect women up and down the ticket to ensure that state legislatures and governments are also filled with female candidates that are willing to fight for women.

But there’s another reason why we’re working to get more women into governors’ mansions. In fact, over half of the U.S. presidents elected in the 20th century were former governors. The executive and leadership experience that governors gain while serving in the highest state office is invaluable—and is seen as the path to the presidency. If we someday hope to elect a female president, we have to work today to secure female governors.

And it appears that 2011 could be a groundbreaking year for women governors. In addition to the eight states that may elect their first female governors, two of the sitting governors don’t face re-election this cycle, and another ten states have female candidates, many of which look to be likely winners in November. If elected, these women will beat the 2004 and 2006 record of nine sitting female governors.

Here at WCF, we’ve endorsed five of these outstanding women: Libby Mitchell (ME), Margaret Anderson Kelliher (MN), Diane Denish (NM), Deb Markowitz (VT), and sitting Governor Bev Purdue (NC). We’re also supporting Linda Chavez-Thompson and Yvette McGee Brown who are hoping to become Lieutenant Governors, a great stepping-stone to governor and beyond.

While we’re thrilled that so many women are taking a chance and choosing to run for office, it’s a shame that WCF cannot endorse every woman who chooses to run for governor. We’ve selected these candidates because they’ve shown their commitment to promoting women’s rights, through their political, professional, and personal lives.

It’s fantastic to see that progress is being made in state legislatures, governor’s offices and at the federal level. But perhaps we shouldn’t be so eager to celebrate the fact that women have the potential to make up—at most—24% of the nation’s governors in 2011. We’ll continue to do our best to elect our talented women candidates—but we all need to work harder to show how much we want and need more women in government.

This posted was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

The 2010 elections are heating up, and this year we have the potential to elect a historic number of female candidates. One of the many states to watch for strong woman candidates is North Carolina. Polling shows that U.S. Senate candidate Secretary of State Elaine Marshall is close on the heels of  Senator Richard Burr (R), who currently has only a 35% approval rating.

Marshall’s increasing support is not without good reason. Even before being elected to the North Carolina state Senate in 1993, she has been nothing but a powerful voice for women. Marshall started practicing law in 1981 and distinguished herself strong advocate for women who were victims of domestic violence—and Marshall continued to help those in need while serving in the State Senate. Furthermore, she was named “Rookie of the Year” and listed among Legislators to Watch by News & Observer.

Marshall made history in 1997 after she defeated the “shoo-in” candidate, former NASCAR driver Richard Petty, for the seat of Secretary of State; she became the first woman in North Carolina to be elected to statewide executive office.

As a woman who comes from a working class background, Marshall understands firsthand the affects of gender and class discrimination and thus made it her goal to give a voice to those who are unable to speak up:

“I witnessed other instances of inequity and discrimination in my community, directed at men, women, children, and families who would have little chance of realizing their dreams. So as a lawyer, I stood up for people without a voice”.

In this broken government where women’s reproductive freedoms serve as legislators’ political football, we must ensure that there are women in Washington who aren’t afraid to speak up during times of adversity. In addition, this year the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)—the landmark legislation signed into law in 1994—is up for re-authorization.  Having a woman in the Senate who is extremely knowledgeable on this issue and has devoted her legal career to helping victims of domestic violence will be invaluable to the reauthorization process; especially at a time when domestic violence is considered a pre-existing condition to insurance companies in eight states in the U.S.

Be sure to watch Marshall and the four other Democratic nominees for North Carolina Senate in their televised debate on Thursday April 14th. This debate is hosted by WNCN-TV and the League of Women Voters of North Carolina.

Click here to learn more about Marshall and her stance on important issues.

There are only 17 women serving in the U.S. Senate. Vote early starting next Wednesday April 15th to ensure that there will be at least 18 by the end of the year. In one of the most crucial election cycles ever, let’s make another year of the woman happen.