- Rachel Maddow - MSNBC host
- Sharon Waxman - editor of The Wrap
- Chellie Pingree - U.S. representative from Maine's 1st district
- Jane Goodall - primatologist
- LaToya Cantrell - mayor of New Orleans
- Sandra Boynton - graphic artist & children's book author
- Gina Glantz - founder & CEO of Gender Avenger
- Susannah Wellford - founder & CEO of Running Start
- Maya Angelou - celebrated poet & civil rights activist
- Norma Torres - U.S. representative from California's 35th district
- Louisa Sholar - former RepresentWomen intern
- Marne Trout - Veracity Media
The most-told story of the 2018 mid-term elections was the historic gains made by women across different levels of office and nationwide. However, these gains were not made equally across party lines. In fact, the story of 2018 for Republican women was actually quite bleak, particularly in light of the overall historic nature of the election year. As a result of the 2018 election, the number of Republican women dropped in the U.S. House, in statewide elected executive offices, and in state legislatures. The number of Republican women serving in the U.S. House today (13) is the same as it was in 1990. Party differences were evident earlier in the process, too; while the number of Democratic women running increased by 100% from 2016 to 2018, the number of Republican women only increased by just 26.3%. These facts should trouble Republican leadership and have elicited calls to action from Republican women in leadership positions. They also beg the question: will this downward trajectory for Republican women continue or not in election 2020?
With the 2020 primary season in full swing, I take inventory of trends in Republican women running for the U.S. House over the last 30 years, noting particularly how things have progressed in the last few elections and where Republican women might be headed in 2020.
What are the long-term trends?
According to CAWP’s historical data, the number of Republican women candidates has risen over the last 30 years, although not at the same rate as Democratic women. The number of Democratic women running for office has consistently been higher than that of Republican women. In fact, 2010, a particularly strong year for Republicans, was the only year in which the party gap in women candidates nearly closed. However, after 2010, Republican women candidacies once again dipped before increasingly modestly in 2018.
It's National Census Day! Join the nation in completing the U.S. Census Survey. An accurate count of who lives where is vital to the health and well-being of our communities, and will impact resources for local public services and the number of seats each state has in Congress.
Put “if’s” and “but’s” in the backseat. When in conversation with others and finding yourself wanting to counter or dispute, start your response with “Yes…” or “And…” or “Yes, and…” before proceeding with your comment. This little gem is an improv exercise. It spawns positivity and possibility. When we say “but”, we shut the conversation down – whether intentionally or not. By saying “yes … and …”, you build legitimacy and respect.
Close your eyes. Repeat the following phrases to yourself three times: May we all be happy. / May we all be healthy. / May we all live with ease. / May we all know peace. / May we all be free. Use these words or others that resonate with you. Key to what drives us as people is the motivation to build relationships and to belong. This abridged version of the classic loving-kindness meditation helps you feel more connected to others. It can also result in stronger, more satisfying relationships, and reduce self-focused rumination, anxiety and depression.
- Wednesday, April 8
- 11:00am-12:00pm EDT
- RSVP here to receive the Zoom link
Ms. Anita Bhatia, Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships, UN Women
Mr. Eric Schwartz, President, Refugees International
Ms. Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, Chief Executive Officer, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Dr. Orzala Nemat, Director, The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit
Moderated by Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
The United Nations has launched a major humanitarian response plan to mitigate COVID-19's impact on the world's most vulnerable communities. Understanding the human dimension of the tragedy highlights the dire conditions and prospects of people living in places already affected by conflict and crisis – with weak healthcare systems, fragile economies, and high-levels of violence. Moreover, without effective response,"whole regions will be tipped into chaos and the virus will have the opportunity to circle back around the globe," according to Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock.
It is important to recognize that women and girls are both uniquely impacted and critical to mitigation strategies during this humanitarian crisis. They face specific economic hardships, humanitarian needs, and vulnerabilities to gender-based violence. They are also leaders: serving as frontline responders, healthcare workers, and community volunteers.
Join leading experts for a discussion on the urgent need for a gender-responsive approach to mitigating COVID-19 and global strategies for effectively addressing the pandemic's impact.
Hosted by The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security in partnership with The LSE Centre for Women, Peace and Security; Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre; The PRIO Centre on Gender, Peace and Security; and The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.
Of the 14 provincial and national chief medical officers and public health officers, 7 are women including Canada’s chief medical officer, Dr. Theresa Tam. There are also women in public health officer roles in major cities such as Toronto and Ottawa.
Over the past weeks, they’ve been serving Canadians by managing an unprecedented infectious threat while also breaking down complex information under bright lights in demanding daily press conferences that have become appointment television across the country. Tam now appears in national television commercials – a rare platform for a public servant.
But mostly there’s been a deep appreciation for these steady figures in these unsteady times.
“They’re trustworthy figures in a time of great anxiety,” said Dr. Leyla Asadi, an Edmonton-based infectious disease specialist pursuing a PhD in tuberculosis elimination strategies. “I appreciate their technical expertise without it being coloured by political views.”
Join us to hear from top experts from all over the country. Facilitators this week include Erin Vilardi, Pakou Hang, Crystal Patterson, Faith Winter, & Jillia Pessenda!
Noda is realistic enough to understand that the country’s long tradition of male-centered politics will not change overnight. This hard-nosed realism is the result of her many years as a member of the small minority of female politicians within the LDP. Noda has a proud career in national politics that goes back nearly 30 years. She was just 26 when she was elected to the Gifu Prefectural Assembly in 1987 and became a member of the House of Representatives in 1993.
“When I entered politics, it was totally a man’s world. My grandfather was a politician (Noda Uichi, former minister of construction) and people often claim that he ‘chose’ me to follow in his footsteps. In fact, he was adamantly opposed to the idea of my embarking on a political career. I think he was worried about what might happen to me if he let his precious granddaughter launch herself into a world dominated by men.”
A lot of her supporters within the party advised her that if she was set on the idea of a political career she should give up her femininity. “I followed their advice. I gave up trying to look stylish, and made sure that I wore the plainest suits possible, except occasionally during election campaigns.” Tanaka Makiko was another woman elected to the House of Representatives at the same election (originally as an independent and later joining the LDP). But, Noda says with a smile: “Makiko was a bit of a special case as the daughter of a former prime minister. And she was also a lot stronger than most men, so that she wasn’t really interested in joining forces with someone like me!”
