Last Day of the Women, Money and Power Summit.

Last week after the Senate Finance Committee voted down two separate proposals for a public option (see NY times article here) and approved $50 million a year federal funding to Abstinence-only programs, (reported the AP in an article posted in the Huffington Post), I was rather depressed. (Thanks Senate, it feels like you just punched me in the ovaries TWICE.)

Yesterday however, was the last day of the Feminist Majority's Women, Money and Power Summit, and with such a gathering of strong-minded women who are pro-health insurance reform (including a public option), I can definitely see that the first failure in the senate was just a stepping stone, not a wall.

Feminists such as Senator Boxer, Congresswoman Maloney, and Ellie Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority spoke at a briefing, and we then went outside to the press conference with Speaker Pelosi and several other speakers who rocked my socks off. "We will get health insurance passed this year," was the common phrase, and I certainly believe it.

A few people held up signs that were against health care reform, which reminded all present that though we can get real health care reform, it still will be a fight.

Photo Credit: ragesoss at Flickr.com

Senator Boxer speaks at LA FMF

On Monday, June 29th, US Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) spoke at the Feminist Majority Foundation in Los Angeles. Senator Boxer addressed FMF interns and staff as well as the Women’s Political Committee (WPC).

One of the strongest voices in the Senate for women’s right to choose, Barbara Boxer has been supported by the WPC and Peg Yorkin, Chair of FMF's Board of Directors, since her election to the House of Representatives in 1982. She is now serving her third term as a US Senator and is running for re-election in 2010.

With a sense of humor regarding her grandson’s observation of her hair remaining blond while her husband’s gets grayer, she also dove into more serious issues such as the environment, women’s international rights, and her upcoming election.

She emphasized the importance of campaign contributions in her upcoming election, in which former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Officer Carly Fiorina has said she might run.

She also addressed the FMF and Ms interns in attendance, who numbered over 20. “To the interns,” she said, “you couldn’t be at a better place. What you will learn here [at FMF is] that you can be anything you set your mind to… I am very glad you’re here, learning self respect and self confidence.”

She stated that maturity is reached when you are not afraid to do what is right, such as contradicting someone who says something wrong or unjust. That, she says, makes you a leader.

She was optimistic about the future, though she did allude to the inequality still present in our society, such as the gender wage gap. “We’re still not earning what we should,” she said in reference to women.

She also acknowledged that women have made strides, such as the recent passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Act.

She pointed out the need for women to participate more in the political process. “We are a majority. When women vote, women win, and I believe families win.”

-Kimberly Young, Choices Campus Leadership Intern-

Senator, not Ma'am

Your daily dose of awesome:



Sen. Barbara Boxer asked Brigadier General Michael Walsh about the slow repair of levees in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina at a Senate hearing last Tuesday. After he addressed her as "Ma'am", she interrupted, saying

"Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am? It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. I'd appreciate it."

He replied, "Yes, Senator."

Some may be wondering whether Sen. Boxer was too sensitive, and Fox News and others have accused her of being rude to the general (sensitivity and rudeness are two common accusations towards strong women). It is easy to forget that when Sen. Boxer was elected in 1992 she was one of SIX women in the 100 member Senate (in an election that was hailed because it TRIPLED the previous session's whopping count of two female senators). Today the Senate is only 17% women, putting us 72nd in the world when compared to other nations' parliaments. So yes, Sen. Boxer worked very hard to earn her title.

And while "ma'am" may be polite, it does not necessarily connote real respect. Titles matter--I use the title Ms. because I don't want people defining me by my marital status, and I call my friends and co-workers women because they are adults who deserve to be treated as such. Kudos to Sen. Boxer for demanding the respect she deserves, and reminding us that we have a long way to go.