Already sorely underrepresented at the national, state and local levels, women suffered yet another setback November 2010 when their numbers in Congress slipped from 17% to 16%. In “Disaster Relief for Women’s Rights,” which airs during March 2011, Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, President and CEO of Women’s Campaign Forum, promulgates specific strategies we need to adopt to stop the vicious onslaught on women’s right to self-determination which we are witnessing today.
Women's Campaign Forum (WCF), founded in 1974, is the only national, non-partisan political organization supporting women at all levels of office, during the earliest stages of their public life, when that support is needed most. Save the Date
WCF's 31st Annual Parties of Your Choice Gala
Monday, April 11, 2011
New York City
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Why the focus on women?
When you elect women to office, Sam says, you elect someone who is far more likely to be progressive on core social issues like health care, education, the environment. Moreover, women, being more risk-adverse than their male counterparts, provide a needed counter to the tendency of men in elective office towards aggression.
Women, who constitute 51% of the population have been sorely underrepresented in elective office at the local, state and national levels. In the November 2010 election the ratio of women to men in the U.S. Congress declined from 17% where it had hovered for years to a meager 16%. The only good thing about this loss, according to Sam is that it might finally shake us out of our complacency and provoke us to pay attention to who is running for elective office and what they will do to promote health and welfare of America.
Sam's Simple Steps to take to promote women in elective office (AKA women's rights)
 Check out WCF's website
For up-to-date information about Women's Campaign Forum's extensive activities to promote gender equity in legislative and executive offices throughout the U.S., the WCF website is the go-to place.
 WCF's PAC
Women's Campaign Forum's Political Action Committee (WCF PAC) is dedicated to electing women candidates of all parties who support reproductive health choices . WCF's PAC provides them with the financial contributions and supplemental support they need to win.
In the thirty+ years since WCF first went to work, women have increased their representation in elective office:
|
30 years ago |
Currently |
Congress |
3% |
16% |
State-wide |
11% |
24% |
State Legislature |
10% |
24% |
That's a significant improvement but we are nowhere close to having an equal voice in our nation's leadership.
 Encourage talented women to run for office
Through the "She Should Run" initiative WCF encourages women to think about running for office; gives them the initial tools to get start. And most importantly encourages you to go online to nominate women whom you would like to see in elective office.
Widespread sexism in the media is one of the top problems facing women. A highly toxic media environment persists for women candidates, often negatively affecting their campaigns. The ever-changing media landscape creates an unmonitored echo chamber, often allowing damaging comments to exist without accountability.
We must erase the pervasiveness of sexism against all women candidates — irrespective of political party or level of office — across all media platforms in order to position women to achieve equality in public office. We will not stand by as pundits, radio hosts, bloggers, and journalists damage women's political futures with misogynistic remarks. When you attack one woman, you attack all women.
NameItChangeIt is a collaborative project of Women's Campaign Forum, Women's Media Center and others. Join NameItChangeIt now to stop insidious sexist attacks on women in leadership positions.
When is Future Choices aired in your community?
See Local TV schedule for time and channel in each participating community in Westchester County.
| Watch the video: "Disaster Relief for Women’s Rights" |
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About Siobhan "Sam" Bennett
Sam joined the WCF team as President/CEO in April 2009. She looks forward to building on the great work of WCF and expanding WCF's presence, support, and membership throughout the country.
Sam's experience as a leader and candidate for elective office serves WCF well...|MORE
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