January 6, 2015

CAWP NEWS & NOTES

A newsletter to keep you informed about all things women and politics from the Center for American Women and Politics, Rutgers University

Congress: More Women than Ever, Still Not Enough

The 114th Congress has reported to the Capitol, and it includes a record 104 women - 20 in the Senate (14D, 6R) and 84 in the House (62D, 22R), besting the previous peak of 100 reached at the end of 2014. In addition, four women serve as non-voting delegates from Washington DC, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Welcome to two new women in the Senate (one moving up from the House) and 12 newcomers to the House, along with two new delegates! Details can be found in today's footnotes¹ blog post from Professor Kelly Dittmar; updated fact sheets will be available shortly on the CAWP website.

State Legislatures: Still Stuck

With legislatures around the country starting to convene, there are slightly fewer women lawmakers than last year, meaning no escape from the plateau where women have been stuck in recent years. CAWP's latest release provides the numbers, including the top and bottom ten states.

Debbie Walsh Honored As 21st Century Leader

CAWP director Debbie Walsh is among 21 Leaders for the 21st Century recognized by Women's eNews. The publication notes that its honorees "recast the stories of women and girls through words and deeds" and cites Walsh for her commitment to "changing the gender profile of those running for office and pushing for more women in every level of government."

Inspiration from 20th Century Leaders

Talking Leadership, a series of conversations with prominent women leaders conducted by Eagleton Institute director (and CAWP founding director) Ruth B. Mandel and Mary S. Hartman, founding director of Rutgers' Institute for Women's Leadership, is now online. Among those interviewed are Congresswoman and presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman and vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro,Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick.

Two articles in Politico Magazine herald the opening of the new Congress. One reveals the "Secret History of Women in the Senate." The second asks, "104 Women in Congress. Does it Matter?"

Seventeen magazine reports on Saira Blair, at 18 the youngest state legislator in the nation.

The National Journal says former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is gearing up for a GOP presidential bid. Fiorina last ran for office against California Senator Barbara Boxer in 2010.

The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier highlights the election of Senator Joni Ernst as an occasion for more Iowa women to recognize that they can run and win.

Roll Call tells the story of Congresswoman Terri Sewell, who knew President and Mrs. Obama long before they were in the White House, and also knew National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand way back when.

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