Here was proof that anyone can come to convention and be a part of the action. This event was on the public calendar, although I also received an invitation. The marketing was fantastic – they sent a refrigerator magnet with a great iconic picture of a 1950’s wife in an apron with perfect hair and makeup holding up a pie, and the slogan is “claim your slice!”
The program was made up of three two-hour sessions. I purchased tickets (sold on a sliding scale – you decide how much to donate from $1 to $100,000) to two sessions. Each session was made up of multiple panel discussions of interesting and inspiring women having conversations about women in politics.
I came in halfway through a panel about the White House Project. Marie Wilson was on this panel, who I have seen before and she’s GREAT. Also, there were two young elected officials whose names I missed since I was late. They were discussing the White House Project including their training, their fundraising, and told their individual stories.
After that, there was a panel with Ellen Malcolm, founder of EMILY’s List, and Barbara Lee. They were also amazing and talked about the nuts and bolts and realities of women running for office.
The highlight for me was a conversation with Claire McCaskill and Amy Klobuchar, facilitated by Donna Brazile. These women had FASCINATING and inspiring stories about their experiences in politics. The forum was open and casual, and I got such a great sense of their personalities, priorities, and experiences. I liked them so much! Though I heard them both later on at the Convention, the forum was a much better way to get introduced. The best were their stories about people assuming they were assistants to “the Senator” such as when they were picking out office furniture for their senate offices. One person told Senator McCaskill that “her boss” would need to come down and sign for it before she could pick out the furniture! She also talked about being the first woman ever in the Missouri state house to have a baby while in office. As it turns, out that baby, her son, introduced her at the Convention last night. Senator McCaskill also talked about how far we have to go still and advised everyone in the audience to read Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dissent in the Lily Ledbetter case (dissent starts on page 28). If I have time, I plan to read it today before the convention because Lily Ledbetter is speaking tonight and I want to brush up. Senator Klobuchar talked a lot about her legislative priorities and accomplishments – she is very focused on consumer rights and consumer safety and is trying to rebuild the consumer protections that our government regulations used to provide to American families.
The general thrust of the entire event was that we don’t have enough women in politics. Not only do we need more women in elected office, but we need all women to engage in the political process – to stay informed on issues and use their votes.
Great event!
The program was made up of three two-hour sessions. I purchased tickets (sold on a sliding scale – you decide how much to donate from $1 to $100,000) to two sessions. Each session was made up of multiple panel discussions of interesting and inspiring women having conversations about women in politics.
I came in halfway through a panel about the White House Project. Marie Wilson was on this panel, who I have seen before and she’s GREAT. Also, there were two young elected officials whose names I missed since I was late. They were discussing the White House Project including their training, their fundraising, and told their individual stories.
After that, there was a panel with Ellen Malcolm, founder of EMILY’s List, and Barbara Lee. They were also amazing and talked about the nuts and bolts and realities of women running for office.
The highlight for me was a conversation with Claire McCaskill and Amy Klobuchar, facilitated by Donna Brazile. These women had FASCINATING and inspiring stories about their experiences in politics. The forum was open and casual, and I got such a great sense of their personalities, priorities, and experiences. I liked them so much! Though I heard them both later on at the Convention, the forum was a much better way to get introduced. The best were their stories about people assuming they were assistants to “the Senator” such as when they were picking out office furniture for their senate offices. One person told Senator McCaskill that “her boss” would need to come down and sign for it before she could pick out the furniture! She also talked about being the first woman ever in the Missouri state house to have a baby while in office. As it turns, out that baby, her son, introduced her at the Convention last night. Senator McCaskill also talked about how far we have to go still and advised everyone in the audience to read Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dissent in the Lily Ledbetter case (dissent starts on page 28). If I have time, I plan to read it today before the convention because Lily Ledbetter is speaking tonight and I want to brush up. Senator Klobuchar talked a lot about her legislative priorities and accomplishments – she is very focused on consumer rights and consumer safety and is trying to rebuild the consumer protections that our government regulations used to provide to American families.
The general thrust of the entire event was that we don’t have enough women in politics. Not only do we need more women in elected office, but we need all women to engage in the political process – to stay informed on issues and use their votes.
Great event!
(Cross-posted at bluetrueblog.com)
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