Week of March 17, 2005
Doris Matsui sworn in
Doris Matsui, the newest pro-choice Democratic woman in Congress, was sworn in Thursday, March 10, two days after winning a landslide victory in a special election. Matsui represents California's fifth congressional district, a seat held for 26 years by her late husband, Robert Matsui, and was awarded a coveted spot on the Rules Committee.
With almost 40 years leadership experience, Matsui is well-qualified to serve her district. A native of California's Central Valley, she earned her B.A. degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and has participated in many civil and philanthropic groups. Matsui also held several high-ranking posts in the Clinton administration. She has made no bones about her opposition to President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security and about her goals to promote stem cell research.
Matsui also brings her unique perspective to bear on the lawmaking process as the only Asian American congresswoman serving in the 109th Congress.
Granholm's leadership skills attract media attention, praise
Michigan's first woman governor, Jennifer Granholm, earned kudos from CNN talk show host Lou Dobbs last Tuesday for her initiatives to remedy Michigan's unemployment rate, which has suffered drastically due to outsourcing. Her innovative plans to create tens of thousands of jobs include measures to increase the number of job training programs and the amount of funding for higher education so that more Michigan residents can leverage their skills to compete in a job market that increasingly demands college degrees.
Granholm's "21st Century Jobs Initiative" is designed to create and secure the long-term maintenance of jobs, while her "Jobs Today Initiative" concentrates on the here and now. Granhom has made creating jobs and boosting private investment her top priorities, and plans to invest nearly $800 million into infrastructure projects over the next three years.
EMILY's List celebrates 20 years
When EMILY's List was founded in 1985, women were the ultimate political outsiders – running against the odds and the traditional political establishment. But EMILY's List has changed the dynamic for women candidates. Women are running -- and winning -- the biggest races. They are leaders in legislative bodies across the country, chairing important committees and playing powerful roles in party caucuses. Women candidates and EMILY's List have come a long, long way since 1985. To learn more, click here.
EMILY's List CEO leaves to head Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
EMILY's List Chief Executive Officer Joe Solmonese is leaving EMILY's List after nearly 12 years. Joe is a gifted leader who has had a hand in just about every aspect of EMILY's List's work over the years.
Joe is leaving EMILY's List April 1st to become president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest civil rights organization dedicated to gay rights. Joe will be greatly missed by staff and members alike.
EMILY's List president Ellen R. Malcolm offered her congratulations, saying, "In every region of this nation, activists, candidates and committed individuals have been inspired by and benefited from Joe's political expertise and tireless drive to create a more progressive America. ... EMILY's List's loss will be a tremendous gain for HRC and the movement for equality for gay and lesbian Americans."