I had the opportunity to attend the Emily's List Gala on Tuesday during the DNC. Emily's List is a PAC that fundraises for pro-choice women running for national office. The Gala was to celebrate the pro-choice women in Congress, and featured an all-star lineup including Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama.
I arrived a little late, since I was attending the WomenCount Celebration about 15 blocks away, so when I got there, the event was in full swing. I walked in as Rep. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland paid tribute to her colleague Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, who passed away the week before the convention. A number of events I attended this week honored Rep. Tubbs-Jones, and I was sorry that I didn't know more about her. Mikulski said that her friend and colleague Stephanie would not want people to mourn her passing, and Stephanie would probably quote a labor leader of the past who said, “Don’t mourn, organize!”
Her message was clear: don't wallow in the sadness of a loss, but use the energy to do something productive and positive. It seemed fitting that this tribute came just before her introduction of the first featured speaker: Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The roar from the crowd as Clinton took the stage was deafening. It took a good ten minutes for the crowd to calm down for her to begin her remarks.
She started out thanking everyone, and acknowledged the wonderful remarks given by Barbara Mikulski, by saying “Barbara Mikulski gets up every morning and fights for you.”
She noted that Stephanie Tubbs Jones was grateful, like so many of the Members of Congress at the gala, to Emily’s List. She said, “When you start running, you have no idea where the path will lead. Thanks to Emily’s List for carrying so many of us to victory."
Clinton's voice was full-bodied and urgent. She was enthusiastic, and spoke out loudly and clearly. She said that have some work ahead of us, and through Emily's List, we need to help elect more Democratic women, turn out more voters, and get more women actively involved in the process. "Election by election, your work is putting more cracks into that glass ceiling."
She said that it was important on this day, the anniversary of the day when American women were finally given the right to vote. She talked about the amazing power of women, and the need to demonstrate how that power can work for us. She said we will get filibuster proof majority Senate. We need partners in the White House, “we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden. They will champion the issues with us, will stand with us and fight for us.”
She praised Michelle Obama's speech the night before, and said she knew a thing or two about how the White House works. She said it was great to know that “If the President isn’t on our side, call the first lady, and we will have someone who will answer that phone!”
Clinton noted John McCain would turn the clock back on women's rights, from reproductive choice to equal pay for equal work, when we desperately need progress.
“The choice in this election could not be clearer, the stakes could not be higher in this election...I ask all of you who worked hard for me, got into a few fights with people on my behalf, I ask you to work as hard for Obama. We need to work our hearts out to elect more democratic women, and to elect Barack Obama and Joe Lieberman as the next President and Vice President. We need to make sure all the hard work pays off!"
Representative Hilda Solis introduced her "amiga," Nancy Pelosi, noting that Pelosi had
“shattered the marble ceiling to become the
first woman Speaker of House.”
Solis noted that Pelosi is dedicated to making America safer, restoring the American dream, and bringing integrity back to government.
I noticed at this point that a couple dozen people bearing Hillary '08 signs were leaving. They had each paid $150 or more to be there, yet they wouldn't stay for Pelosi and Michelle Obama. Most of them looked to be women in their sixties.
Nancy Pelosi started with a rousing call to arms, "Are we ready for victory? Are we ready for unity? Are we ready to elect a democratic senate?"
The crowd responded with a resounding "YES!" to all of her challenges. About this time, a group of women started shouting, "Why don't you end the war, Nancy?" and "Out of Iraq" and other anti-war slogans. I was in the back of the room, and I couldn't see who they were, but I assume that they were from Code Pink, and anti-war women's group that likes to camp out in front of Pelosi's home in San Francisco, among other things. The crowd started booing them, but they continued yelling. They stopped, but I'm not sure why, because I couldn't see. I don't know if they made their point and stopped voluntarily, or were dragged out by their pink collars by the cops. I have no idea.
While all this commotion was going on, Pelosi never missed a beat. She thanked Emily’s List Founder, Ellen Malcolm, saying that “Ellen Malcolm ranks up there with
suffragettes."
She went on to say that every woman in
America owes Hillary Rodham Clinton a debt of gratitude. "She was magnificent in this campaign. I salute her
for what she in the campaign, what she is doing at this event, and what she is
doing to elect Barack Obama."
She, too, paid tribute to Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who also benefited from Emily's List. She noted that there are currently 71 democratic women in the Congress, and many of them were up there with her at the front of the stage. Twenty-eight of the new democratic women in Congress were there thanks to support from Emily's List. She talked about significant legislation that Congress had passed to benefit women and children that the President refuses to sign, so they are waiting for the new President to sign. She said the only reason the Consumer Protection Safety Act passed was because of the activism of so many mothers and fathers to protect their children from lead-tainted imported toys. John McCain
spoke against bill.
Some of the legislative battles have been so tight Ted Kennedy left treatment for a brain tumor to cast the deciding vote on Medicare.
Governor Christine Gregoire was up next, to introduce Michelle Obama. She thanked Emily’s List for "giving me the privilege of serving as Governor of Washington.
She said that Barack Obama will bring new kind of leadership, but he won't do it alone. He has Michelle Obama, working mother, wife, campaign partner. Gregoire was deeply impressed with Michelle’s vision. Michelle has been Holding round table discussions with women across country and understands challenges of women and families. She said that in the Obama White House, Americans will have two strong advocates for families.
Michelle Obama spoke next to a huge ovation. I tried to get up closer to get a picture, but only got the giant screen TV. I took a photo of a group of waiters who used their break to hear Michelle speak.
Michelle marveled at what Emily’s List has done. "To borrow a phrase from President Bill Clinton, 'Now have government that looks like America'."
She thanked Hillary Rodham Clinton by saying, "No one been more gracious, forthcoming, or helpful to me in offering advice and guidance."
She said that we all need to remember that Hillary broke so many stereotypes, so many misconceptions, and there is no longer the notion that a woman can’t be president.
Michelle also acknowledge her mom. She said, “Barack has said that I'm his rock. Well, Marian Robinson is Michelle Obama’s rock."
Like each of the speakers before her, she paid tribute to the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones, saying she wished she had the opportunity to know her. Both she and Barack had so much admiration for Stephanie and that her passing is enormous loss for people of Ohio and our country. They are Keeping her and her family in their thoughts & prayers.
The DNC, she said, was celebrating not just our party, but our future. The party is dedicating to restoring the rights of all Americans. She acknowledge that there were so many strong, accomplished, inspirational women in the room.
The event took place on the anniversary of women securing the right to vote, and she asked that we remember the suffragists. Colorado was one of the first states to grant women the right, 27 years before Congress ratified the 19th Amendment. Women earned the vote in Colorado through popular referendum. Colorado women persuaded a majority of men to vote for it. “Now that’s a Movement,” she quipped.
She said that our country's journey toward equality is not yet finished. "Today, let’s celebrate, break the barriers that stand in the way of progress in this nation. Something is changing in this election. This is an extraordinary time in this country."
Michelle noted that people who have never been involved, never talked about politics are now talking about change and writing checks. The audience laughed at this line, and she chuckled, "It’s important to write checks."
She went on to talk about how the convention would make a little history by nominating "the guy I happen to be married to...As you can imagine, I’m one proud spouse."
“I know with every fiber in my body that he is going to be an amazing President. Speaking as an American, and I will say this time and time again, who loves my country, I know that we can overcome any challenges we face. I’m here because I’m a mother. I am thinking about my children every day. I was not just thinking about speech I had to make last night, I’m thinking, 'How am I gonna get Malia’s books? How am I gonna get her locker assignment?' and 'How are we going to make sure that every child in this country gets a quality education?'"
She noted that Barack gets it. He's trying to lighten the load of people who work so hard. On their first date, he took her to a community meeting on the South Side of Chicago. He impressed upon them two concepts: the world as it is vs. world as it should be. He told them that if we think this is the best we can do, we settle, even if it doesn’t reflect our values. We know what the world should look like, we know. Our challenge as ordinary people is to work together to narrow the gap between world as it is and as it should be, because they should be one and the same. Barack has been challenging us to find the strength within ourselves to change our destiny. There is no reason we can’t do if we work together.
Michelle said that we need to work together to make the world as it should be, not just on Wall Street, but on Main St as well. We know what it looks like. In the world as it is, when women are paid less for their work, we know that it is their kids who pay the price. No one should risk losing a job to stay home to care for sick child or parent. Everyone should have world class healthcare. We need to end war in Iraq. Men and women who serve should not have to keep fighting for the benefits for they need and deserve when they return home. That’s the world Barack Obama is fighting for.
The part of her speech that affected me most was this:
"The truth is, he can’t do it alone. This race cannot be about him, it has to be about us. We need everyone of you in this room, fighting for us and praying for us. We need you to talk to other women, who might sit it out. Nothing more powerful than the conversations we have with each other. If you don’t think Barack needs you, then I am going to need you. I am going to need you to have my back. Nothing more important than making this country better for our children. It’s the reason we do this; it’s the reason we are here. I’m going to need you. If we do that together, if we work for the world as it should be, not only will we elect Barack Obama, we will change the future of this nation forever.”
The MOMocrats have your back, Michelle. Be assured of that.
At the end, I pushed my way up to try to get a picture of her before she departed. I didn't quite make it, but got a few snaps of the Congresswomen at the the front of the room. I got a picture of Representative Mazie Hirono of Hawaii (at least I think that's her).
As an Asian-American woman, I look at this picture, and I finally see a woman who looks like me, who looks like my mom and her friends, and I see a person I can relate to. A woman in power who represents thousands of people. A woman of strength and courage who fights our fight every day. For her and every woman who represents our values in government, I'm making a donation to Emily's List. I hope you do the same.
To view the official photos from the event, go to Emily's List Photo Album.
I am so inspired, and grateful to, and moved by every progressive woman in public office. Commitment to social justice never goes out of style.
What a gift it is that the Obama campaign has reinvigorated political participation among so many different people.
Posted by: cynematic | August 30, 2008 at 02:42 PM
This is so Typical of Obamanation Voters,
Obama Campaign calling the kettle Black,,,
Sarah Palin has Has Just as much experiance as Barack Obama if not more so,, Obama has NO Experiance and riding on the Coat tiles of the black Nomination,, There is no way Thay can put her down,, Say she Not experiance because,,Then Barack Obama will have to say since he have 0 experiance what make him so special,
Attacking Her going to be like attacking him self,,
This is going to be good, We finally have a woman to vote for,, I voted for Hillary and like I said I voting for McCain, now that he picked a woman,, more woman voter are voting for her,,,
Sarah Palin will be a great VP,, anyone who says other wise, will have a lot of explaining to do,, Because,, Barack Has NO experiance and he thinks he could be President!!!!!
And Barack Speech was the same old speech he gives Everyone wants change Why don't someone tell Barack Time to get an Agenda, Time to change his speech's he been singing,, getting old,
But then again Only Barack thinks everyone should vote for him
No matter what criminals he had with him,, Ryzko , Who got barack his House,, and Like always,, barack bringing up McCain Houses, how dumb again, calling the kettle black again,, 2 people Rich People,,,1 worth 4 million and the other worth 400 million,, Gee to me and every other middle class in america Rich is rich,, so barack want to get into a pissing match over Houses,, instead of telling the people what he going to do,, He done Nothing every news Media knows he adopted Hillary campaign, Pelosi and Dean And Barack Obama are making Hillary Unite this party ,, Barack Obama won the Primary so why is it up to Hillary to unite this party,, Why are they asking Her,is this all she can do,, it not up to her,, Its up to Barack Obama,, What we have Here is Bush Tactics, they are going to do all they can to fraud and Hi-Jack this Campaign, and rig the election, like they did with Hillary,, they way they gave Obama florida and Michigan even tho Hillary won those fair and Square ,,no Barack wants half after the fact,,,
Well I am glad Hillary is not the vp for barack now she can run in 2012, against McCain ,,,and she can be the first Woman President, But right Now Sarah Palin going to be the First Woman Vice President, who has Just as much experiance as Barack Obama,, McCain Made a great choice,
I guess That greek temple of a joke stage barack made for his speech is the closest he going to get to the white house,,
He Really thinks He is already President, Well at least I did go out and started using barack obama energy Plan I bought a TiRE GUAGE, ,, wow we are saving money Now,
Don't FOR Get BarackObama Seal,, He Stole from commander & Chief Seal, The Man is an EGO Maniacs,,, I am a Proud Democrat, I will not blindly vote for a Man who will Hurt this Country, I will not do it, If Hitler was a democrat , I have to vote for him,, ,NO way No How NO OBAMA
Posted by: Jody V | August 30, 2008 at 04:26 PM
I can't even read Jody V's comment. My eyes started to bleed with the blood of the English language.
Posted by: Jenn | August 30, 2008 at 06:18 PM
The 'Women's Vote' is a myth!
Senator Clinton and Governor Palin are proof that women can and do diverge on important issues.
Even on the question of whether women should vote!
Most people are totally in the dark about HOW the suffragettes won votes for women, and what life was REALLY like for women before they did.
Suffragettes were opposed by many women who were what was known as 'anti.'
The most influential 'anti' lived in the White House. First Lady Edith Wilson was a wealthy Washington widow who married President Wilson in 1915.
Her role in Wilson's decision to jail and torture Alice Paul and hundreds of other suffragettes will never be fully known, but she was outraged that these women picketed her husband's White House.
"The Privilege of Voting" is a new free e-mail series that follows eight great women from 1912 - 1920 to reveal ALL that happened to set the stage for women to win the vote in England and America.
It's a real-life soap opera!
Suffragettes Alice Paul and Emmeline Pankhurst are featured, along with TWO gorgeous presidential mistresses, First Lady Edith Wilson, Edith Wharton, Isadora Duncan and Alice Roosevelt.
There are tons of heartache on the rocky road to the ballot box, but in the end, women WIN!
Thanks to the success of the suffragettes, women can now support the candidates they choose, left, right, in-between or GREEN!
Exciting, sequential e-mail episodes are perfect to read on coffeebreaks, or anytime.
Subscribe free at
www.CoffeebreakReaders.com/subscribe.html
Posted by: Virginia Harris | August 31, 2008 at 11:38 AM