ADVANCING EQUALITY IN THE 2009 YEAR OF CHANGE
Elena Ong
December 29, 2008
In 1776, our nation was founded on the principles Thomas Jefferson laid out in the Declaration of Independence – "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that men are created equal." It was a time when slaves and women were not treated as equals. Slaves were counted as 3/5, and persons of color and women were denied the right to vote. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton convened the Declaration of Intentions in Seneca Falls, declaring "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal." And from that defining point in history, women and slaves worked together for emancipation and the right to vote. It took until 1870, for African-Americans to get the right to vote, until 1920 for women to get the right to vote, until 1964 before the Poor could vote w/o the barrier of a poll tax, and until 1971 for youth (18 and over) to get the right to vote. A generation later. The 1992 Presidential election took it´s place in herstory as "THE YEAR OF THE WOMAN" because it ushered in, what was at the time, a breakthrough number of female US Senators in one single election – 5 US Senators: Barbara Mikulski (MD), Carole Moseley Braun (IL), Dianne Feinstein (CA), Barbara Boxer (CA) and Patty Murray (WA). In much the same way, the 2008 election will be remembered as "THE YEAR FOR CHANGE."
Without question, the 2008 Presidential Election was history-making. It was herstory-making. But was it diversity-making? Was it equality-making?
Only 10 days have passed since November 4, 2008, and in many races, the votes are still being certified and/or recounted. Nevertheless, we can be proud, that women turned out to the polls in very high numbers, and in 2008, a new record has been set for women´s breakthroughs.
Women picked-up: Women set a record high of:
1 more US Senator 17 women in the US Senate,
3 more Congresswomen (possibly a 4th) 74 women in the US House of Representatives,
6 more Statewide Constitutional Officers 81 women in Statewide Const'l Office
10 more State Senators 433 women in the State Senate
25 more State Assemblymembers 1,351 women in the State Assemblies.
Some have wondered if "THE 2008 ELECTION FOR CHANGE" would bring about a corresponding electoral tsunami that would lift all boats, and increase the diversity of women at the federal and state level (i.e., Women of Color (WOC), Lesbians/Transexuals, Women with disAbilities, etc.)
We picked-up: We broke a new record/glass ceiling:
1 Lesbian Secretary of State 1st LGBT in Statewide Constitutional Office
1 (and possibly a 2nd) Native American women 1st Native American in Constit'l Office
Superintendents of Public Instruction
Diverse Women
Who Will Serve in the 2008/2009 Year for Change
Source: Center for American Women in Politics & The Victory Fund
Presidential Administration: To Be Determined
US Congress 0 Women of Color/Diverse
US Senators No Net Gain
US Representatives 21+ Women of Color/Diverse US Reps
African-American Women (11 Democratic Congresswomen & 2 Democratic Delegates)
Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Laura Richardson (D-CA)
Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Diane Watson (D-CA)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC* - Delegate)
Corinne Brown (D-FL)
Donna Edwards (D-MD)
Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI)
Marcia Fudge (D-OH) (who won the seat of the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones)
Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands* - Delegate)
Gwen Moore (D-WI).
Asian American Women (2 Democratic Congresswomen):
Doris Matsui (D-CA)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Latinas (6 Democratic Congresswomen & 1 Republican Congresswoman):
Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA)
Hilda Solis (D-CA)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and
Nydia Velasquez (D-NY).
1 Lesbian (1 Democratic Congresswoman, and possibly 1 more):
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
Deborah Mell** (D-IL) – Who May Run for 2009 Special Election
Statewide Constitutional Officers:
0 Governors
3 Gains in Statewide Constitutional Officers
7 WOC/Diverse Statewide Officers
Lesbian (1 Democratic Lesbian)
Kate Brown (D-OR) – Secretary of State (1st LGBT to hold Constitutional Office)
Native American (2 Democratic Native Americans)
Sandy Garrett (D-OK) – Superintendent of Public Instruction
(Tribe Status Recently Declared, Tribe Status Being Verified)
Denise Juneau (D-MT) – Superintendent of Public Instruction
(1st or 2nd Native American to ever hold Statewide Constitutional Office)
Latinas (3 Democratic Latinas)
Susan Castillo (NP-OR) – Superintendent of Public Instruction (Latina)
Mary Herrera (D-NM) – Secretary of State (Latina)
Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) – Attorney General (Latina)
African-Americans (1 Democratic African American)
Denise Nappier (D-CT) – State Treasurer (African-American)
State Legislative Seats
To Be Reported in January, 2009
But the beauty of the 2008 Election is that it's dynamic and constantly evolving.
Because the 2008 Presidential Election is just one election in this great sea change.
As President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden assume their new roles, they will have opportunities to appoint a diverse array of candidates/elected officials for roles in the Obama Administration, and their appointments will create a ripple effect, with opportunities to appoint/elect a diverse array of candidates/elected officials up the political pipeline.
Not just to replace President-Elect Barack Obama´s US Senate seat and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden's US Senate seat, but those of President-Elect Obama's new cabinet appointments.
Women can be very proud to have played a role in building coalitions to support women candidates, and advancing the agenda for equality, where:
(1) Hundreds of women, women of color and LGBTs ran for office.
And for the first time, Native American Women and Lesbians broke the glass ceiling of statewide constitutional office.
(2) A Record 58 Million Voted In the Presidential Primary
18 million voted for Hillary Clinton for President during the Democratic primary,
18 million voted for Barack Obama for President during the Democratic primary
1 million voted for John Edwards & Other Democratic Candidates during the Democratic primary.
10 million voted for John McCain for President during the Republican primary,
11 million voted for other GOP Presidential candidates during the Republican primary.
(3) A Record 125 Million Voted in the General Election
According to CNN´s exit polls:
56% of Women voted for Obama/Biden compared to 43% for McCain/Palin
96% of African-American Women voted for Obama/Biden
68% of Latinas voted for Obama/Biden
62% (if not more) Asian American Pacific Islander Women voted Obama/Biden
While Governor Palin´s Vice Presidential nomination initially energized the Republican base, come election day, fewer voters turned out to vote for McCain/Palin in 2008 than turned out to re-elect Bush/Cheney in 2004.
67 million voted Obama/Biden in ´08, compared to 58 million for Kerry/Edwards in ´04
58 million voted McCain/Palin in ´08, compared to 61 million for Bush/Cheney in ´04
56% of women voted Obama/Biden in ´08 compared to 51% of women who voted Kerry in ´04
43% of women voted for McCain/Palin in ´08 compared to 48% of women who voted Bush in ´04.
(4) For the Democratic Party, the goal of Presidential Election 2008 was to achieve a Democratic Majority. To accomplish that, it produced a Democratic Tsunami that "lifted all votes" for women, women of color, lesbians, etc. At the end of the day, when Women, Women of Color and Lesbians Ran as Democrats, Women Won.
PRESIDENCY Democratic Gain (+2) Presidency/Vice Presidency
US SENATE: Democratic Majority (+6) 55 D/100 with 3 races too close to call
US HOUSE: Democratic Majority (+20) 255 D/435 with 5 races too close to call
GOVERNOR: Democratic Majority (+1) 29 D/50
STATE SENATE: Democratic Majority
Women State Senators (D) 307 (+13 from 294)
Women State Senators ( R ) 116 (-4 from 120)
State Assemblywomen (D) 954 (+48 from 906)
State Assemblywomen ( R ) 393 (-22 from 415)
(5) A Woman Can Be President
2008 Presidential Election made it clear, that voters, male and female, will vote for a woman at the top of the ticket.
In addition to:
US Senator Hillary Clinton
Governor Napolitano (D-AZ)
Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)
US Senator Amy Klobukar (D-MN)
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D-OH)
Atty General Lisa Madigan (D-IL)
Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) is also exploring a run in 2012.
Political pundits have identified women to watch; three of who are Women of Color:
US Rep Donna Edwards (D-MD) African-American
US Rep Hilda Solis (D-CA) Latina
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-CA) African-American
WHAT WOMEN CAN DO TO BEGIN THE PATH TO EQUALITY IN "THE 2008/2009 YEAR OF CHANGE"
1. Focus on getting women appointed to the Obama Administration, and focus on back-filling appointments with women candidates, women of color, lesbians/transgenders and women with disAbilities.
2. Aim for 50/50 by 2020. Women have already reached "critical mass" (20% of the legislature) in the majority of state legislatures. In 2008, women achieved 50/50 in the New Hampshire statehouse where 13 of the 24 seats are held by women.
3. Invest in, and nurture the Future. Build support among women and men that transcends generations.
Bottom line, "CHANGE CAME TO AMERICA" on November 4, 2008, because the "SEEDS OF CHANGE" planted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln during the pre-"Civil Rights Era" of the 1840´s-1850´s, bore fruit in the 2nd "Civil Rights Era" of the 1960´s-1970´s and bore fruit again in 2008, when GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS, those who remember what it was like to denied equality and the right to vote, RAN FOR US PRESIDENT.
Without question, the 2008 Presidential Election was history-making. It was herstory-making. But was it diversity-making? Was it equality-making?
Only 10 days have passed since November 4, 2008, and in many races, the votes are still being certified and/or recounted. Nevertheless, we can be proud, that women turned out to the polls in very high numbers, and in 2008, a new record has been set for women´s breakthroughs.
Women picked-up: Women set a record high of:
1 more US Senator 17 women in the US Senate,
3 more Congresswomen (possibly a 4th) 74 women in the US House of Representatives,
6 more Statewide Constitutional Officers 81 women in Statewide Const'l Office
10 more State Senators 433 women in the State Senate
25 more State Assemblymembers 1,351 women in the State Assemblies.
Some have wondered if "THE 2008 ELECTION FOR CHANGE" would bring about a corresponding electoral tsunami that would lift all boats, and increase the diversity of women at the federal and state level (i.e., Women of Color (WOC), Lesbians/Transexuals, Women with disAbilities, etc.)
We picked-up: We broke a new record/glass ceiling:
1 Lesbian Secretary of State 1st LGBT in Statewide Constitutional Office
1 (and possibly a 2nd) Native American women 1st Native American in Constit'l Office
Superintendents of Public Instruction
Diverse Women
Who Will Serve in the 2008/2009 Year for Change
Source: Center for American Women in Politics & The Victory Fund
Presidential Administration: To Be Determined
US Congress 0 Women of Color/Diverse
US Senators No Net Gain
US Representatives 21+ Women of Color/Diverse US Reps
African-American Women (11 Democratic Congresswomen & 2 Democratic Delegates)
Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Laura Richardson (D-CA)
Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Diane Watson (D-CA)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC* - Delegate)
Corinne Brown (D-FL)
Donna Edwards (D-MD)
Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI)
Marcia Fudge (D-OH) (who won the seat of the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones)
Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands* - Delegate)
Gwen Moore (D-WI).
Asian American Women (2 Democratic Congresswomen):
Doris Matsui (D-CA)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Latinas (6 Democratic Congresswomen & 1 Republican Congresswoman):
Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA)
Hilda Solis (D-CA)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and
Nydia Velasquez (D-NY).
1 Lesbian (1 Democratic Congresswoman, and possibly 1 more):
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
Deborah Mell** (D-IL) – Who May Run for 2009 Special Election
Statewide Constitutional Officers:
0 Governors
3 Gains in Statewide Constitutional Officers
7 WOC/Diverse Statewide Officers
Lesbian (1 Democratic Lesbian)
Kate Brown (D-OR) – Secretary of State (1st LGBT to hold Constitutional Office)
Native American (2 Democratic Native Americans)
Sandy Garrett (D-OK) – Superintendent of Public Instruction
(Tribe Status Recently Declared, Tribe Status Being Verified)
Denise Juneau (D-MT) – Superintendent of Public Instruction
(1st or 2nd Native American to ever hold Statewide Constitutional Office)
Latinas (3 Democratic Latinas)
Susan Castillo (NP-OR) – Superintendent of Public Instruction (Latina)
Mary Herrera (D-NM) – Secretary of State (Latina)
Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) – Attorney General (Latina)
African-Americans (1 Democratic African American)
Denise Nappier (D-CT) – State Treasurer (African-American)
State Legislative Seats
To Be Reported in January, 2009
But the beauty of the 2008 Election is that it's dynamic and constantly evolving.
Because the 2008 Presidential Election is just one election in this great sea change.
As President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden assume their new roles, they will have opportunities to appoint a diverse array of candidates/elected officials for roles in the Obama Administration, and their appointments will create a ripple effect, with opportunities to appoint/elect a diverse array of candidates/elected officials up the political pipeline.
Not just to replace President-Elect Barack Obama´s US Senate seat and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden's US Senate seat, but those of President-Elect Obama's new cabinet appointments.
Women can be very proud to have played a role in building coalitions to support women candidates, and advancing the agenda for equality, where:
(1) Hundreds of women, women of color and LGBTs ran for office.
And for the first time, Native American Women and Lesbians broke the glass ceiling of statewide constitutional office.
(2) A Record 58 Million Voted In the Presidential Primary
18 million voted for Hillary Clinton for President during the Democratic primary,
18 million voted for Barack Obama for President during the Democratic primary
1 million voted for John Edwards & Other Democratic Candidates during the Democratic primary.
10 million voted for John McCain for President during the Republican primary,
11 million voted for other GOP Presidential candidates during the Republican primary.
(3) A Record 125 Million Voted in the General Election
According to CNN´s exit polls:
56% of Women voted for Obama/Biden compared to 43% for McCain/Palin
96% of African-American Women voted for Obama/Biden
68% of Latinas voted for Obama/Biden
62% (if not more) Asian American Pacific Islander Women voted Obama/Biden
While Governor Palin´s Vice Presidential nomination initially energized the Republican base, come election day, fewer voters turned out to vote for McCain/Palin in 2008 than turned out to re-elect Bush/Cheney in 2004.
67 million voted Obama/Biden in ´08, compared to 58 million for Kerry/Edwards in ´04
58 million voted McCain/Palin in ´08, compared to 61 million for Bush/Cheney in ´04
56% of women voted Obama/Biden in ´08 compared to 51% of women who voted Kerry in ´04
43% of women voted for McCain/Palin in ´08 compared to 48% of women who voted Bush in ´04.
(4) For the Democratic Party, the goal of Presidential Election 2008 was to achieve a Democratic Majority. To accomplish that, it produced a Democratic Tsunami that "lifted all votes" for women, women of color, lesbians, etc. At the end of the day, when Women, Women of Color and Lesbians Ran as Democrats, Women Won.
PRESIDENCY Democratic Gain (+2) Presidency/Vice Presidency
US SENATE: Democratic Majority (+6) 55 D/100 with 3 races too close to call
US HOUSE: Democratic Majority (+20) 255 D/435 with 5 races too close to call
GOVERNOR: Democratic Majority (+1) 29 D/50
STATE SENATE: Democratic Majority
Women State Senators (D) 307 (+13 from 294)
Women State Senators ( R ) 116 (-4 from 120)
State Assemblywomen (D) 954 (+48 from 906)
State Assemblywomen ( R ) 393 (-22 from 415)
(5) A Woman Can Be President
2008 Presidential Election made it clear, that voters, male and female, will vote for a woman at the top of the ticket.
In addition to:
US Senator Hillary Clinton
Governor Napolitano (D-AZ)
Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)
US Senator Amy Klobukar (D-MN)
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D-OH)
Atty General Lisa Madigan (D-IL)
Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) is also exploring a run in 2012.
Political pundits have identified women to watch; three of who are Women of Color:
US Rep Donna Edwards (D-MD) African-American
US Rep Hilda Solis (D-CA) Latina
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-CA) African-American
WHAT WOMEN CAN DO TO BEGIN THE PATH TO EQUALITY IN "THE 2008/2009 YEAR OF CHANGE"
1. Focus on getting women appointed to the Obama Administration, and focus on back-filling appointments with women candidates, women of color, lesbians/transgenders and women with disAbilities.
2. Aim for 50/50 by 2020. Women have already reached "critical mass" (20% of the legislature) in the majority of state legislatures. In 2008, women achieved 50/50 in the New Hampshire statehouse where 13 of the 24 seats are held by women.
3. Invest in, and nurture the Future. Build support among women and men that transcends generations.
Bottom line, "CHANGE CAME TO AMERICA" on November 4, 2008, because the "SEEDS OF CHANGE" planted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln during the pre-"Civil Rights Era" of the 1840´s-1850´s, bore fruit in the 2nd "Civil Rights Era" of the 1960´s-1970´s and bore fruit again in 2008, when GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS, those who remember what it was like to denied equality and the right to vote, RAN FOR US PRESIDENT.
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