Results tagged “Debbie Wasserman Schultz” from Blog for Choice

Kristin Koch is the deputy director of communications for online advocacy strategies for NARAL Pro-Choice America

What a night! Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, rocked the Democratic National Convention last night - it was electrifying to be in there in person. You have to watch:

Nancy made important points about what it means to be pro-choice, what's at stake in this election, and praised President Barack Obama as our pro-choice champion. She emphasized the importance of making sure our friends, our neighbors, and our families understand the critical nature of this election and the importance of supporting our pro-choice president in the November election.

It was truly inspiring to see speaker after speaker talk about why this election matters so much to women. Women leaders drove home this same message even away from the cameras.

Yesterday morning, delegates and activists were wowed by the lineup of speakers at the Women's Caucus. Talk about hearing from accomplished, tough-as-nails, smart women!

These pro-choice leaders got the room on its feet again and again:

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Donna Brazile, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett, EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock, Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Cecile Richards, actor Ashley Judd, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, birth-control advocate Sandra Fluke... and our own Nancy Keenan.

One thing is crystal clear: we must re-elect President Barack Obama if we're to protect women's freedom and privacy for generations to come.

Paid for by NARAL Pro-Choice America, www.ProChoiceAmerica.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

On Sunday, hundreds of pro-choice bloggers and activists took to the Internet to share the ways in which they planned to help elect pro-choice champions this year.

This morning, NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC took one key step toward making 2012 a year of pro-choice victories at the polls.

NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC is proud to endorse 20 of the greatest champions of choice in the U.S. House of Representatives.

From California:

Rep. Lois Capps 

Rep. Judy Chu 

Rep. Barbara Lee 

Rep. Nancy Pelosi 

Rep. Jackie Speier 

Rep. Henry Waxman

From Colorado:

Rep. Diana DeGette

From Connecticut:

Rep. Rosa DeLauro

From Florida:

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

From Illinois:

Rep. Mike Quigley 

Rep. Jan Schakowsky

From Maryland:

Rep. Donna Edwards 

Rep. Steny Hoyer

From my home state of New York:

Rep. Joe Crowley 

Rep. Steve Israel 

Rep. Nita Lowey 

Rep. Carolyn Maloney 

Rep. Jerry Nadler 

Rep. Louise Slaughter

From Wisconsin:

Rep. Gwen Moore

These 20 pro-choice heroes have consistently stood up against the anti-choice House leadership's War on Women.

In addition, NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC proudly endorses two other pro-choice champions from the House who will take their support of women's freedom and privacy to the U.S. Senate:

Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Rep. Shelley Berkley of Nevada

Here's what Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said at a breakfast honoring these pro-choice leaders:

Our priority is to elect pro-choice champions and defeat opponents of women's freedom and privacy. We are prepared for campaign battle in 2012 and will mobilize our one million member activists in support of candidates who will stand with our allies in countering legislative attacks on a woman's right to choose.

Twenty-two pro-choice champions, and 22 more ways we'll stop the War on Women in 2012.

Paid for by NARAL Pro-Choice America, www.ProChoiceAmerica.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Last week, I had the honor of attending a panel discussion at the Women's Leadership Forum in New York City.

It was great to see so many women who are trailblazers and valued colleagues: Gloria Steinem, Maria Elena Perez, Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood, and Stephanie Schriock of EMILY's List.

The fantastic and tireless Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) moderated the discussion.

First Lady Michelle Obama delivered an inspiring keynote address. The first lady gave multiple examples of what's at stake as our country prepares for another presidential election. She called the audience to action, and paid tribute to Gloria Steinem's tenacity by asking people to consider what our country would be like for women if Steinem had given up at any point in fighting for women's rights. When it comes to issues important to women, Mrs. Obama reminded everyone that we have to be equally tenacious.

The first lady has been a tremendous advocate for women and girls in the White House. We're lucky to have an administration that makes standing up for women's rights one of its highest priorities.

Now, I've been working in the pro-choice movement for more than 30 years, and one thing I've learned is never to underestimate the power of a story. Every one of us in the room on Tuesday has a deeply personal story we can share--whether it's about ourselves, a friend, a mother, sister, or loved one.

But, it's not good enough for us just to share our stories--we also have to listen. A generation of women has grown up with Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. They have stories to share, too--and the women of my generation have a responsibility to listen to and learn from them.

The good news is that the women of the Millennial Generation--those born after 1980--are more pro-choice than the country as a whole. But the right to choose means something different for them than what it means for women who came of age in the '60s and '70s. That's a good thing. And it's natural that the pro-choice movement will change to reflect these women's experiences and priorities. After all, by 2020, the Millennial Generation will account for 40 percent of eligible voters.

So, as I salute all the amazing pioneers at the Women's Leadership Forum, I look forward to speaking with--and listening to--the up-and-coming generation of pro-choice leaders.