ABOUT US | SPEAK OUT | ACTIONS | NEWS | CONTRIBUTIONS | EMAIL IN OUR SHOES | HILLARY LINKS
Click here for wonderful Photos from the Campaign
Clinton's Real VictoryBy Marie Wilson
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Page A15 Washington Post"I am here because of Hillary Clinton."
"Over the past few months, that phrase has been repeated to me by hundreds of women you've never met but whose names you may one day recognize. They are this country's next generation of female leaders -- women of all ages and persuasions who have been searching for the means and encouragement to step into positions of leadership in their communities; women of all political affiliations who thank Hillary Clinton for making the impossible finally appear possible.
As someone who trains women across the country to lead across all sectors, it has been easy for me to see firsthand, the impact of Clinton's candidacy. I have watched over the past year as women in the mining towns of Minnesota's Iron Range and urban centers such as Atlanta and Denver have stepped forward as never before to lead. It's a mistake to suggest that women's political leadership will be crippled by Clinton's loss in the Democratic presidential nomination race. In fact, I believe that the end of her candidacy will eventually rank as a modest disappointment when measured against her larger wins -- which include what has been revealed to us about the often invisible political aspirations of women and how we can leverage their talent and passion to bring about change at all levels of government."
From: http://anglachelg.blogspot.com
/2008/05/unifying-party.html
For my daughter - who is, as of yet, just an idea in my mind. But I imagine her one day reading the story of this historic campaign. I am so grateful that the story she will read will be of a complete campaign, with the biggest numbers possible - states, votes, and delegates. That story will show that our first woman presidential contender was truly competitive - nearly won competitive - and show a little girl her own vast possibilities in this country. Thank you for giving her a history worth reading.
For my mother - who is one of those women who work tirelessly to support her family, worries over rising healthcare costs and frets that her grandchildren may not have social security. She's always been passionately interested in politics, but never before found a politician who she felt saw and understood her. She'll be 65 next year and she wrote the first political check of her life to you. Thank you for validating the day-to-day concerns that she faces.
For my grandmother - who was, as it was noted at her memorial, "a woman ahead of her time." I think of her every time I see one of your senior women supporters who were born before women first got the vote and were out on the streets filled with hope that they would inaugurate one in their lifetimes. Thank you for showing them that their efforts to make women loud and proud actors in American politics created real change.
For my best friend - who would listen to me talk about just about anything in the world for hours - except politics - until you started to run. Little by little, day by day, she became more engaged in your campaign and what it meant to the country and our place in the world. She started out reading your emails and went on to lobbying her husband and friends to change their votes. Thank you for awakening an incredible woman to her role in the political process.
For my former junior staffer - who did not necessarily believe that sexism was still an issue alive and well today. She watched pundit after pundit behave in ways that even she could not deny were ... crude. Then she saw it pass as kind of acceptable. And then she saw it happen again and again. Finally, she took up her pen and now Chris Matthews and the MSNBC brass know her name ... well. Thank you for reminding her of how much work we all still have to do.
For me - who has been, at times, described as direct, forward, forceful, pushy and a few other choice adjectives. Thank you for helping make the world a little safer for aggressive, ambitious women. Because isn't aggressive just one way of saying "she gets things done" and isn't ambition just another word for "dream?" Thank you for pushing for my dream - and that of so many others - to elect a phenomenally talented and capable woman to lead our country and change our world.
As you promised from the outset, you have, and will continue to, make history.
Thank you, for all us.
Sincerelyn
Ilana Goldman
President, Women's Campaign Forum
Clinton's Legacy Leaves Light on for Other WomenRun Date: 06/04/08
By Allison Stevens
Washington Bureau ChiefWASHINGTON (WOMENSENEWS)--"With enough delegates to clinch the Democratic Party's presidential nomination Tuesday night, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama accepted his party's nod as the primary season came to a close.
"After 54 hard fought contests, our primary season has finally come to an end," he told supporters in St. Paul, Minn. "Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another."
In a rousing speech to supporters, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton did not concede defeat and revealed no immediate plans to step off the stage."
Read more--->>>
Sexism Sells -- But We're Not Buying Itfrom the Women's Media Center
Hating Hillary
Andrew Stephen
Published 22 May 2008, NEWSTATEMAN"Gloating, unshackled sexism of the ugliest kind has been shamelessly peddled by the US media, which - sooner rather than later, I fear - will have to account for their sins.
History, I suspect, will look back on the past six months as an example of America going through one of its collectively deranged episodes - rather like Prohibition from 1920-33, or McCarthyism some 30 years later. This time it is gloating, unshackled sexism of the ugliest kind. It has been shamelessly peddled by the US media, which - sooner rather than later, I fear - will have to account for their sins. The chief victim has been Senator Hillary Clinton, but the ramifications could be hugely harmful for America and the world."
THE FUTURE OF GENDER POLITICSClinton's Next Campaign
By ANNA HOLMES, Op-Ed Contributor
NY Times June 1, 2008"RACISM. Sexism. Say what you will about the Democratic primaries, they have at the very least provoked a national dialogue about those two shameful scourges of American society. Just as the furor over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright drove Senator Barack Obama to make a widely admired speech on race, the growing outrage on the part of her supporters offers an opportunity for Senator Hillary Clinton to speak out on sexism in American life.
The idea of such a speech has been brought up and then shot down by unimaginative pundits as merely playing the gender card, an assertion both patronizing and offensive. But with her campaign apparently on the cusp of defeat, Senator Clinton is now free to speak with courage and conviction, two qualities not ascribed to her lately. "
Diuguid's column: Memo to Hillary Clinton: Please don't quitBy Lewis Diuguid,
Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist"Last summer, I shook Sen. Hillary Clinton's hand and gave her my business card when she met with the Trotter Group of black columnists. I wished her well in her presidential bid.
Ever since then I've received e-mails from her, Bill Clinton and their daughter, Chelsea Clinton, with video links promoting Hillary Clinton's historic run for the Oval Office. A half-dozen arrived last week.
I hadn't replied until now.
Dear Sen. Hillary Clinton:
I have greatly appreciated all of the e-mails from you and your family. I have only two words to share with you about your valiant quest to become the 44th president of the United States and the first woman to hold the highest office in the land:
Don't quit.
A ton of pundits and political operatives have asked you to give up. Ignore them."
NOT SO FAST"Women respond to the loud bullies in the male-biased media, who are so devoted to The Chosen One, by standing up for Hillary with full page ads across the country. ...
We are the women of this nation. We are rich and poor, young and old, married with kids, married without kids, single moms, gay, straight, and widowed. We are every color. We are of every religion. We are from all political parties.
We love our country. Now more than ever, so much of what we cherish is at risk &endash; our homes and our health, our safety and our planet, our children and our values. We raise our voices, in one glorious, defiant chorus, to tell the world that these times demand strength, courage and vision.
And that is why we stand united in our unwavering support for Hillary Clinton.
We want Hillary to stay in this race until every vote is cast, every vote is counted, and we know that our voices are heard.
The ad was paid for by Women Count PAC, a newly formed political action committee which is running similar ads across the country. Women Count was created "to ensure that the 51% of American citizens who are women have their values and votes counted in the political process."
Letter to Editor done in response to the NYTimes Sunday Week in ReviewDate: May 18, 2008 4:40:15 PM EDT
To: Letters@nytimes.com
Subject: The First Woman President?Dear Editor:
In your article speculating who will be the first woman elected President of the US, you include a graphic showing Democratic and Republican women, and asking "Is there a President Here?" Pictured for the Democrats are Governors Kathleen Seblius and Janet Napolitano, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Illlinois Attorney General Madigan and North Carolina Lt. Governor Perdue, and Chelsea Clinton. Except for Chelsea, these women all endorsed Barack Obama. Why would these same women ever expect to get the support of women voters when they failed to support the first woman candidate who actually had a shot to get elected?
Sincerely,
Judith Hope
East Hampton, N.Y.
Quitters Never WinBy Ellen R. Malcolm
Saturday, May 10, 2008; A15"When I was growing up in the 1960s, I wanted to play basketball. In those days, the rules said girls could dribble only three steps and then had to pass the ball. To make sure we didn't overexert ourselves, we weren't allowed to cross the half-court line. It's a wonder our fans (our mothers) could stay awake when a typical game's final score was 14-10.
It's remarkable that my generation of women entered the workforce and began to compete in business, politics and the hurly-burly of life outside the home. How did we ever learn to locate, much less channel, our competitive instincts in a world that made us play half-court and assumed that we would be content staying home to iron the shirts? It's a tremendous tribute to women of my generation that we sucked it up and learned to compete in the toughest environments.
Which brings us to Hillary Clinton running for president. This brilliant woman believes that she can compete for the most powerful office in the world. She believes that she can do a better job than any of the men running to lead our country through these challenging times. And millions of Americans, women and men, believe that she is correct."
The Road Forward for ClintonBY TAYLOR MARSH
from Washington, D.C.
05.07.2008 07:20 amLive blog of Clinton conference call...
Geoff Garin: "Indiana was a close outcome, but they feel very, very good. First time Clinton has come from behind to achieve a primary victory. Amidst a huge amount of spending from Obama, Clinton won. The Chicago media market was over 20% of the state and gave Obama a substantial head start. Eight points down with 10 days to go, then winning by 2 points, represents "significant progress" and is a "good victory under challenging circumstances." Obama called it a "tie breaker state," so we feel good about the victory.
We congratulate Obama on his North Carolina. But that state also represents progress for us. We were running even with white voters two weeks ago, but earned a significant win, 24 points. We didn't do well enough with AA voters. Clinton continues to run very strongly among likely swing voters in the Nov. election, blue collar voters, seniors and Catholics. Last night makes the strong case that she's the better candidate in November.
The win in Indiana allows us to go on and make the case in West Virginia."
Women in the RunningBy Maya Schenwar
t r u t h o u t | Report
Thursday 08 May 2008"Whether or not we elect a female president this year, the US has a long way to go when it comes to political gender equality.
America has pretty much agreed that, whether or not Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, she will have made history. However, no matter the outcome of the primary season, the struggle for women's voices to be heard in the political sphere will be far from over. Despite all the focus on Clinton's gender over the course of her campaign, there's been surprisingly little discussion of the gender makeup of the political system as a whole.
Like the rest of the world, the US has been moving forward in terms of women in politics, but it's doing so in spurts and slower than many of its neighbors. Ten years ago, this country ranked 37th in terms of women's political representation. It now sits in 71st place, according to a recent Interparliamentary Union study.
"Women have been trained to speak softly
and carry a lipstick. Those days are over"
Sandy Rapp and Margie Adam have songs for us.
Walkin' Shoes © Sandy Rapp 2008 - especially written for In Our Shoes
She Will Rise © Sandy Rapp 2008 - written based on Maya Angelou's support of Hillary
Rise Up Ye Women © Sandy Rapp 2006
Reaction to Hillary's speech in NY 6-3-08I cried last night in admiration as Hillary spoke and don't know how she does it. I think she was right though to hang in because now more know how tough and determined women are even on a raw stage. Obama was magnificent (last night.)
Certainly...sexism does suck. Now we have to prepare for and defeat the racism. But still.. a woman and a black man stood side by side in the wake of Bush and held a high ground.
Soon we will have a black man in the White/Black House instead of in jail.
Andrea Johnston, President and Co-Founder
Girls Speak Out® www.girlsspeakout.org
EMILY's List Warns Hillary Dems Off McCainRun Date: 06/12/08
By Alison Bowen
WeNews correspondent"EMILY'S List, the political action committee that churned out money and support for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton until the last gasp of the Democratic primary campaign, urged disgruntled supporters on Wednesday away from the GOP candidate.
A vote for Arizona Sen. John McCain would be "unthinkable," Ellen Malcolm, EMILY'S List president, said in conference calls with reporters yesterday to counter the McCain campaign's efforts to woo disappointed Clinton supporters. EMILY's List supports only Democratic, pro-choice female candidates. McCain has consistently voted against pro-choice and anti-discrimination legislation in the U.S. Senate."
Count Every Vote or Play by the Rules?That was the question at the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting on May 31
by Jo Freeman
"Two thousand angry voters, mostly Hillary supporters with a scattering of Obama-ites converged from all over the country on a meeting of the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee held in Washington, D.C. on May 31. They shouted and chanted to "Count Every Vote" on the streets of a quiet DC neighborhood while the RBC met in a nearby hotel. It was there to hear testimony and decide whether to allow delegates from Florida and Michigan to participate in the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The two dozen or so protesters still present at the end of the day when the Committee made its decision went home mad.
Although the Hillary for President campaign carefully stayed away from organizing these protests, her supporters did their own thing. Two new NYC groups joined together to organize the rally, but were supported by others in its execution. In March, a group of Democratic women activists formed "Count Every Vote '08" to support Clinton and "other qualified women candidates across the country." The WomenCount PAC was created on May 12 by "a group of women who had traveled together around the country to campaign for Hillary." Initially, they raised money to run ads in the major media. Many more Hillary supporters were mobilized by such entities as the Hillary Rapid Responders."
Click here to read THE MEMO: A Status Report on U.S. Women that womensenews will deliver to both conventions.
Keep in touch through the Women's Election CentralThe more you know, the more informed you'll be in the voting booth. Read here the news from the campaign trail that are relevant to women.
Unifying the PartyAnglachel's Journal
Sunday, May 18, 2008"I've tried to come up with some sophisticated, nuanced, theoretically meaningful way to say this but nothing is working, so I'll just say it plainly.
I don't see the Hillary campaign saying a bad word about the voters, even those who vote for her opponents. I don't see the campaign explaining away their losses because of some flaw or failing in the voters. Even the group of Obama voters most vociferous and adamant in their objections to her do not get criticized or condemned. To the contrary, she defended MoveOn from politically motivated attacks. She went to Yearly Kos and spoke without rancor or defensiveness to a deeply hostile group.
When she says she is impervious to attacks from the right-wing noise machine, the MSM and political opponents, it shows up in the way she will not be badgered and baited. She can look Richard Scaife in the eye and tell him exactly what she intends to do as President without belligerance and without apology. Their cruelty and crudeness cannot disrupt her calm civility, though she may poke some sly fun at them.
This is not someone who has burned bridges on the Democratic side. In a hard-fought campaign, she has been firm that there will be nothing from her side to prevent resolution and reconciliation within the party. She pulls no punches on issues, but has not stooped to personal attacks of the kind leveled at her by her opponents and even by some party leaders. When somone on her campaign has behaved dishonorably, they are told to leave at once. "
Misogyny I Won't MissBy Marie Cocco, syndicated
by the Washington Post Writers
Thursday, May 15, 2008; Page A15"As the Democratic nomination contest slouches toward a close, it's time to take stock of what I will not miss.
I will not miss seeing advertisements for T-shirts that bear the slogan "Bros before Hos." The shirts depict Barack Obama (the Bro) and Hillary Clinton (the Ho) and are widely sold on the Internet.
I will not miss walking past airport concessions selling the Hillary Nutcracker, a device in which a pantsuit-clad Clinton doll opens her legs to reveal stainless-steel thighs that, well, bust nuts. I won't miss television and newspaper stories that make light of the novelty item."
It's The Economy, Stupid. . .AND WE'RE NOT STUPID!Hillary called for bold action to strengthen the American economy, including steps to stem the tide of home foreclosures, which has been a key driver in weakening financial markets; and an additional $30 billion in stimulus spending to help states and localities fight foreclosures in their communities.
"We are now lending billions of dollars a day to help Wall Street banks that aren't regulated, that are not held accountable." Hillary said. "How can you tell a family about to lose their home that there's nothing we can do to help them? How can you tell them that if they had failed spectacularly we would've helped them but because they are failing quietly, desperately, we are turning our backs? How can you tell them that there is nothing we can do to rebuild the American Dream?"
Hillary has been calling for action on the foreclosure crisis for more than a year. Unfortunately, the Bush administration is only now willing to consider aggressive action. But the time for mere consideration has passed. Hillary believes that immediate, bold action is required to unfreeze our mortgage markets, help keep millions of families in their homes, and move to reverse weakening economic conditions which impact every family.
Three Myths About the Democratic Raceby Peter Daou
3/24/2008 11:26:17 AM"The Pundits versus Reality in campaign 2008: THE PUNDITS: Hillary is throwing the "kitchen sink" at Barack Obama. THE REALITY: Barack Obama has been throwing the sink, the stove, the plates and the garbage can at Hillary. THE PUNDITS: Hillary lacks significant grassroots energy. THE REALITY: Hillary's supporters have written letters, blogged, donated tens of millions of dollars, volunteered millions of hours and made millions of calls. THE PUNDITS: There is a chorus of voices asking Hillary to withdraw from the race. THE REALITY: Precisely the same number of voters (22%) think Barack Obama should drop out of the race as Hillary. "
Dwell in Possibilityby Alessandro Machi
Wednesday,May 21, 2008Hillary Supporters Gathered in Burbank to celebrate Hillary Clinton's 35 point victory in Kentucky AND to PROTEST MSNBC's absolutely one sided and completely slanted coverage of this years Democratic Presidential campaign.
Turn the light on
Center for Advancement of Women"Ignorance and complacency won't solve women's most pressing issues. It's time to turn the light on them. Women's lives are much more than beauty and shopping. Issues like domestic violence, pay equality and reproductive health must be covered by the national media and addressed by our elected officials and all of the presidential candidates."
Obama's secret weapon: the mediaHillary Sexism Watch: NOW, NWPC, & WUFPAC Fire Off Lettter About Russert to MSNBC
from friends at Tennessee Guerrilla Girls
"It turns out we weren't the only ones offended by Tim Russert's recent panel of men ranting about that "bitchy" Hillary Rodham Clinton. Several women's groups fired off a letter to the show's executive producer - who happens to be a woman, for all the good it does. It must be really great working for the Misogyny Channel."
I've pasted the letter below. It's from the National Organization for Women, the Women Under Forty PAC, and the National Women's Political Caucus.
I'm still asking: Where is the feminist leadership? But letters are better than nothing.
April 9, 2008
Ms. Barbara Fant
Executive Producer
MSNBC's Tim Russert Show
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112Dear Ms. Fant,
Please explain to the viewers of MSNBC's Tim Russert's latest show how using the term "bitchy" to refer to a woman running for president is an example of "writing and thinking and talking with intelligence." On the April 5 show, guest Christopher Hitchens did indeed use the word to describe Presidential Candidate Senator Hillary Clinton and rather than being taken to task, was actually thanked for his "intelligence" by Mr. Russert. [Media Matters]
NWPC, NOW and WUFPAC are continually frustrated by the tone and rhetoric coming from the media establishment covering the Hillary Clinton campaign. We object to the terminology that the media has used without regard in this race, words and descriptions that are not worthy of debate for a presidential contest. Tim Russert is a well respected member of the main-stream media and we as viewers and voters expect a higher level of discourse on his show. The fact that he did not call out Mr. Hitchens for uttering the term "bitchy" was a tacit consent of its use and we are extremely disappointed that the anchors, especially those of Mr. Russert's caliber, condone this type of negativism toward women. Calling Christopher Hitchen's commentary thoughtful and intelligent is not an example of "intelligence" in our book.
We expect that Mr. Russert and MSNBC will rise to a higher level of professionalism for the remainder of the presidential campaign and on into the future. Millions of Americans receive their news coverage and analysis from MSNBC and expect honesty, objectivity, and high standards. Please don't let them down.
Sincerely,
Lulu Flores, President
National Women's Political CaucusKim Gandy, President
National Organization for WomenJessica Grounds, President
Women under Forty PAC
Images from the Women's March for Equality 1971
used with permission from Bettye Lane
email: photojournal70@aol.comtop HOME | SPEAK OUT | ACTIONS | NEWS | CONTRIBUTIONS | EMAIL IN OUR SHOES | HILLARY LINKS
