Week of March 13, 2007

Courage!

That was the message at last week's EMILY's List Women in Power luncheon in Washington, D.C., when more than 1,300 EMILY's List members came together to celebrate the historic Democratic victories of 2006 and honor America's first woman Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

In her stirring remarks, Speaker Pelosi talked about having the courage to fight for progress, to oppose Bush's Iraq policy, to stamp out corruption, and to stand up for progressive values.

"In the first 100 hours, House Democrats took our country in a new direction – a direction demanded by the American people in the election. With women in the lead, we passed legislation to: drain the swamp of corruption with tough ethics reform; to make our economy fairer by raising the minimum wage; to make college more accessible by cutting in half the interest on the student loans; make prescription drugs more affordable ... and that was just in the first 100 hours."

Sen. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential frontrunner, paid tribute to the history EMILY's List has made by giving women candidates the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. Clinton talked about her presidential campaign as an attempt to break the "hardest and highest of glass ceilings."

"Today, women are a majority of the voters, a majority of students in college, and we are a growing presence in the Congress. But there are still far too few women in leadership positions," Clinton said. "When we throw open the doors of opportunity and break those glass ceilings, then we give everyone in America a chance to be all that he or she can be.

EMILY's List members also heard from the two newest pro-choice Democratic women in the U.S. Senate: Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.

Klobuchar talked about her hope for the future and thanked EMILY's List members for their support, noting the difference early money made in her race. Klobuchar said, "I'm here, thanks to thousands of EMILY's List members who took a cue from their fearless leader, Ellen Malcolm, that early support not only makes a difference, it IS the difference."

McCaskill also thanked EMILY's List members for their support and confidence, which helped her unseat a powerful GOP incumbent senator and put Democrats in control of the Senate. She called standing in front of so many enthusiastic EMILY's List members, and in the presence of Speaker Pelosi, a "pinch me" moment.

Dozens of Democratic women leaders from Congress and the states took part in the celebration, which also honored loyal EMILY's List members like you who have made possible so many historic firsts.

One special and inspiring feature of the luncheon was a video spotlighting the history EMILY's List has made. Click here to view the video.

And if you were not able to come to this uplifting and energizing celebration, don't despair -- coming up is another great opportunity to come together with like-minded progressives, hear from our inspiring candidates, and get an in-depth view into the important political work EMILY's List is doing.

It's the 2007 EMILY's List Majority Council Conference, Monday and Tuesday, April 16 and 17, in Washington, D.C. You can register online today at www.emilylist.org/conference.

The 2008 election cycle is already in full swing and this year's conference kicks off what will be one of the most important elections in our lifetime. April is cherry blossom season, a beautiful time to be in Washington -- but make your travel plans soon, as it's the start of tourist season!

We are finalizing the conference agenda, which includes:

  • Protecting our Democratic majority. Top political strategists describe where Democrats stand after our 2006 victories and how we can defend the party's narrow congressional majority from the GOP's attacks and more effectively fight the Bush agenda.
  • A view from the trenches. A panel of newly elected congresswomen describes their busy and productive first months in office -- including their part in Democrats' first 100 hours of control passing a progressive legislative agenda led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
  • Women in charge. Pro-choice Democratic women governors will talk about what it's like making tough decisions that have a profound effect on their constituents and put them at the forefront of the national scene.
  • POP makes a difference. An inside look at EMILY's List's successful Political Opportunity Program, which is putting women into the political pipeline by recruiting, training, and supporting candidates at the state level.
  • Women making the difference. The latest news on women voters and what we are learning through our Women's Monitor research.
  • Breaking the ultimate glass ceiling. A discussion with renowned pollsters and political operatives about what it'll take to elect the first woman president.

And as always, there will be plenty of opportunities to visit with each other and with EMILY's List's fabulous candidates.

We hope to see you in April!

Register today for the 2007 EMILY's List Majority Council Conference!