Moms: We need more women in government!
Posted May 7th, 2010 by Erin CutraroAs the Vice President and Political Director of the Women’s Campaign Forum (WCF), I’m obviously a believer in electing more women to public office.
However, as a first-time mother with a 7 month-old baby girl, my commitment to increasing women’s political leadership has never been stronger. Sure, I knew before having my daughter that women legislators more often tackle issues affecting mothers, fathers, children, and families—but experiencing motherhood firsthand made me see many things through new eyes.
As I traversed through the world of pre-natal care, maternity leave, daycare, and generally how to juggle my professional life, family, friends, and an amazing newborn, I found myself asking: Why is everything so hard? Aren’t people supposed to make laws to help families—not put obstacles in their way?
Then suddenly it was clear: Congress is only 17% women. State Legislatures? 24%. Of course the specific needs of mothers aren’t being met – our current political system actually prevents women candidates from succeeding.
According to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), “Elected women are working to make the agenda of legislative institutions more reflective of women’s concerns stemming from their roles as caregivers in the family and in society more generally.”
So for Mother’s Day this year, I’m asking everyone to do two things:
1. TAKE ACTION: Tell your member of Congress that moms need more women in gove
rnment – urge them to make recruiting and supporting women candidates a priority.
2. Have some fun. Celebrate the greatness moms all around the country by sharing this customizable video from MomsRising. Short and punchy, the video features the mother of your choice in a faux news story as a winner of the “Mother of the Decade.”
We need to ensure more women get involved in the political process today so that the mothers of the future have a strong voice in our government. Because who needs more women in government? Moms.
Happy Mother’s Day everyone – I know my first one will be special.
6 Comments
October 8, 2011 at 4:47 am by Marge PetkusI used to be recommended this web site by means of my cousin. I am not sure whether this submit is written by means of him as no one else recognise such special approximately my trouble. You are amazing! Thanks!
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May 10, 2010 at 12:47 pm by KTWhy shouldn’t there be reservation for women? This has been suggested in India, Obama said he supported it.
The US has a terrible record for having women in governement. Their needs to be revision that each state has one male and one female senator. The representatives should have one male and one female from wach disctrict, even if it means redistricting.
Men and women are 2 different genders, different bodies, etc. While their should be equal respect, there should be no false idea that men’s and women’s needs are the same. They are not. Each has strengths and there are differences. Our needs are not being represented the way things are currently structured. Mothers represent a huge percentage of the population, yet we are the most underrepresented group of all in decision making postitions.
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May 10, 2010 at 12:41 pm by KatieThe women that do get in power need to also be moms, even if they are older moms who already raised their kids, it is the only way that moms needs will be met.
The earlier women’s rights activist were inspired by the Iroquois women. The women of the tribe not only had authority in the tribe, the MOTHERS had respect and their opinions mattered.
Read more: http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/book-sum/wagner2.html
“Minnie Myrtle wrote in 1855 about the Seneca:
The legislative powers of the nation are vested in a Council of eighteen, chosen by the universal suffrages of the nation; but no treaty is to be binding, until it is ratified by three-fourths of all the voters, and three-fourths of all the mothers of the nation!
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May 8, 2010 at 12:19 am by Simone JoyeErin,
As a candidate for the Georgia Assembly, I totally agree with you! However, even when we have women running, we still need more financial support in order to ensure our win. We need more women’s groups to support us in getting our message out. The lack of support from our counterparts helps keep the men in those seats and our issues at the bottom of the list.
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Erin Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Simone and Ruth – Thank you for your encouragement! Simone, thank you for running – and I absolutely agree that women candidates need more financial support.
In fact, WCF begin in 1974 as a PAC for women just for that reason – we believe in being there for a candidate from the very beginning.
But despite the efforts of us and other great women’s organizations, we are seeing that the current political establishment doesn’t always support women candidates, and even prevents them from succeeding: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-bennett/women-need-an-establishme_b_565167.html
Please keep fighting and running!
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I’m so glad you’re doing this! I’m a mom of an 11 month old little girl and I completely agree! We need more women in government! Thank you for your work on this!
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