One in three. One in THREE. ONE in THREE.

Rosemary Dilger — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:09:00 -0500

March 8 is International Women's Day, a day to recognize women's political and social achievements. It is also a day to recognize how far we have yet to go in the global fight for women's rights. As an Emerge Oregon class member of 2010, I think about domestic issues a lot. Today, I am thinking globally.

According to Amnesty International, one of every three women worldwide has been physically or sexually abused during her lifetime, with rates of domestic violence reaching 70 percent in some countries. We know the ways violence against women can be perpetrated: rape, domestic violence, acid burnings, so-called "honor killings." The United States has yet to ratify the UN Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW), but I'm glad to know that the bill (S. 2982) has been re-introduced by Senator John Kerry to address violence against women globally. Known as the International Violence Against Women Act, the bill was originally introduced during the 110th Congress by Senators Joe Biden and Richard Lugar, but didn't come to a vote before Congress adjourned. The I-VAWA was reintroduced on February 4 by bipartisan teams in both the House and Senate. Amnesty International, Women Thrive Worldwide, and the Family Violence Prevention Fund deserve kudos for helping make this happen.

Here's the deal: I-VAWA directs the U.S. government to create a comprehensive, 5-year strategy to reduce violence in 10-20 diverse countries that have severe levels of violence against women and girls. To achieve this goal, the Act allocates more than $1 billion in U.S. assistance over 5 years and makes ending violence against women and girls a U.S. diplomatic priority. Importantly, the bill also expands U.S. support and capacity for overseas nongovernmental organizations - particularly women's nongovernmental organizations - working to end violence against women and girls in their own countries.This is the first time violence against women will be a diplomatic priority, and will be addressed in a coordinated and integrated way. It also requires that in areas of armed conflict where the U.S. is aware of mass violence against women and girls (such as Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo), the U.S. government will have to act.

Learn more specifics on this Amnesty International page, or read the legislation here.

The Democratic platform recognizes that human rights are women's rights and that women's rights are human rights. I urge fellow participants and alumni to contact their Senators and Representatives to pass this vital legislation for our sisters overseas.

Kristi Jo (KJ) Lewis is the co-founder of Global Sistergoods, and a class member of Emerge Oregon 2010.

Join our first Emerge webinars!

Rosemary Dilger — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:46:44 -0500

This spring, we are launching our first series of
Emerge America Webinars
We would like to invite you to join our first two sessions!

Getting to 50/50 in your work and home:
Friday, March 26th, 12 - 1pm PST

Webinar link here or dial 215-383-1005 (Access Code 862-665-953)

	One of the main barriers women face when launching their political careers is the challenge of work/family balance. Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober have recently published a new book titled Getting to 50/50 to help more women achieve the lives they hope for -- both at work and at home. Based on a survey of 1,110 working moms and hundreds of interviews with men and women in all kinds of jobs, Sharon and Joanna found concrete steps women and men can take together to cut work/life stress. In their book, Sharon and Joanna share research and practical tools so that women can more easily pursue their dreams and engage their partners as allies in the process. They have both made themselves available to discuss some of these obstacles and solutions with our Emerge network. Featured on theToday Show as well as Businessweek, we are confident that you will love this conversation. To RSVP, Click here!

The Well-Connected Political Woman: Showcase Your Expertise with Social Media Thursday, April 8th, 12 - 1pm PST Webinar link here or dial 217-287-4118 (Access Code 592-957-737)
	You've created profiles on Facebook or Linkedin - now what? Whether you're running for office or just looking to harness the power of social media to help you achieve your professional development goals, Denise Brosseau, a long-time social media and messaging expert (and Emerge alum from the class of 2003), will offer her expertise on creating a top-notch social media presence. A successful new media campaign can elevate the perception of a candidate and create a powerful online political network. Denise will walk through popular new media sites and show an actual makeover of an Emerge candidate's profile - from flat to fabulous. To RSVP, Click here

We look forward to sharing these exciting webinars with you!

Why do YOU want to run for office?

Rosemary Dilger — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:29:50 -0500

I can't tell you how many times I had to answer that question when I ran for office in 2008. I lost count. I also had a lot of reasons to run for office:

I love my community
I'm good at conflict resolution
My friends, family and many others wanted me to
I knew I could do the job

The list goes on and on. Then one day as I reflected on the exact moment I knew I was going to make a difference it hit me... my daughter... She was the reason I wanted to run for office.

The moment happened during a Planning Commission meeting. As I was reviewing mountains of paper for Bend's Urban Growth Boundary Expansion, I recognized some names. I remembered my parents and grandparents talking about some of these folks in the 70's and 80's. It dawned on me that I was my daughter's age, in elementary school right here, the last time Bend had gone through this monumental land use process. Whoa. I was now the 'grown up' making decisions that would affect my daughter's generation.

I understand the importance of thinking about those who will come after us. I want to make decisions that will benefit those generations, not take from them. We must ensure our daughters have women leaders to look to for guidance, and to equip them should they want to seek appointed or elected office.

That is why I ran. That is why I am running again this year. How about you? Do you have a defining moment? Why do YOU want to run?

By Jodie Barram
Bendy City Councilor
Emerge Oregon Class of 2010

www.jodiebarram.com

When the Call to Serve Comes

Rosemary Dilger — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:06:14 -0500

Sitting quietly in my Emerge Maine class a couple of weeks ago, I was listening intently to an Emerge graduate explain the pleasure and pain of running for state office - and losing. Suddenly, from nowhere, a voice in my head yelled, "RUN"! Not run out the door, but RUN FOR OFFICE! Now, you might think that the reason for being in the Emerge Maine class of 2010 is for that exact reason. Aren't we all, as active Democratic women, here to train to serve? Well, yeah... but now? This year? That was NOT in my plan.

My thoughts were more along the lines of "well, maybe in 2012 when my district representative seat is open, and if my work winds down a bit, or maybe I'll help out behind the scene on someone else's campaign." This year I'm busy! My career is in one of its up cycles and I am in the midst of three big creative projects. I travel a lot for my work, plus I now have a part-time job at home doing something else I am passionate about. People are depending on me. But for some reason, I am not listening to myself. I found myself telling family members and friends that I was thinking of running for State Representative in my district. Then I met with the district Democratic chair. And then I drove to the State House, an hour away, to pick up my clean election petition sheets. Throughout the entire time I was questioning myself but the voice kept saying "RUN" and found myself obeying!

This is what Emerge Maine does for me. I feel inspired by the women in my class, of all ages and walks of life, recent college grads and retirees and working moms with school age kids. They are all striving to find a way to a better life - not only for themselves, but for their communities. I am inspired by those who have gone before and those who are currently serving, who come to our class and share the truth - the whole truth - about being a public servant. They have all sacrificed so much to serve their towns, state, and indeed our nation. So yes, I am running! The passion in my heart has spoken louder than the logic in my head, and win or lose, I know this campaign will be a truly incredible experience. Wish me luck! And to all my Emerge comrades who are following that same loud, unrelenting voice - you, go girls!!

By Cindy Bullens, Emerge Maine Class of 2010

www.cindybullens.com
www.myspace.com/cindybullensmusic

Strength in Your Beliefs

Rosemary Dilger — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:07:40 -0500

I think it is important for women to be involved in politics because women are smart and extremely strong. When I say strong, I do not mean it in just a physical sense. Women are strong in that they juggle children, a job, a home - and do this every day.

I admire women who do not back down on an issue that is very important to them. I especially admire them when they push back for their children. I actually got to see Representative Sharon Treat do this with two lobbyists. They were hounding her, literally dogging her, to change her mind on a piece of legislation - and she was not budging an inch. To me, that is strength; strength in your beliefs, in your convictions.

We need more women in politics because of that strength. I think many women do not realize their power, or if they do, they are worried or afraid to use it. But Emerge is a great place for women to reconnect with their strengths. It is a place for women to support and nurture each other when they are contemplating a run for public office, and it gives them the tools they need to be successful.

Politics doesn't have to be good ole boys club. Women are strong and smart and have great ideas for making government better. It's no wonder we do, with taking care of a family, a home and a career all at the same time. We make tough decisions all the time, and never back down when we get thrown a curve ball.

Helen Hanson
Emerge Maine
Class of 2010

Andrea Dew Steele Weighs in on CA Gubernatorial Race

Rosemary Dilger — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:56:40 -0500

KTVU recently did a peice on the California gubernatorial race, asking why there are so few choices on the ballot. Among others, Andrea Dew Steele, president and founder of Emerge America shared her perspective.

President & Founder Andrea Dew Steele Weighs in on CA Gubernatorial Race

Rosemary Dilger — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:54:17 -0500

Watch it here!

What's wrong with this picture?

Rosemary Dilger — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:13:52 -0500

Happy President's Day! While we celebrate the rich history of the American presidency, we at Emerge America are committed to filling the pipeline with future Democratic leaders. We are hopeful that some day, we can add a female face to this picture. Who knows... maybe she will be one of these amazing Emerge women.

How is it that in 2010 there are still so few women holding elected office? Since 1789 only 2% of members of Congress have been women. Even now, just 17% of members of Congress are women, making the United States 84th in the world in terms of women's representation. That puts us behind Mexico, China and Pakistan.

A pool of highly qualified Democrat candidates is being left untapped. Too often, women do not see themselves running for office. They do not think they are experienced enough or they just don't know where to start. Emerge America is changing that.

How are we doing it?

Our program members: We have 512 alumnae and 9 program classes in session right now.

Their success: So far 41% of our alumnae have already run for office or been appointed to local boards or commissions.

The power to win: Of those who have run for office, 60% of Emerge alumnae have won.

Our record of diversity: 40% of our program members have been women of color.

By providing women across America with a top-notch training and a powerful political network, we are getting more Democrats into office. Support the work we do by contributing today and help change the face of leadership, and the heart of politics in America.

As you enjoy your President's Day weekend with your friends and families, we ask you to recommit yourself to our mission. Click here to contribute!

With thanks and appreciation,

Andrea Dew Steele
President and Founder

PS: To learn more about our many Emerge graduates who hold public office and our 2010 candidates click here: www.emergeamerica.org/whoweare

A Room of Our Own

Rosemary Dilger — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:05:14 -0500

Feminist author Viginia Woolf wrote in her famous essay, "A Room of One's Own" that in order to write fiction a "woman must have money and a room of her own." Last Saturday, I sat in a room full of progressive women. Being in a room where it was okay to talk about progressive issues, okay to talk about aspirations to lead and okay to be a woman who speaks her mind was potent.

Coming from a corporate background, letting your progressive feminist flag fly is a rare occurrence. It's easy to apologize for pointing out that pregnant women shouldn't be passed over for promotions because "who knows what she'll want once the baby is here." It's easy to seek the middle ground in conversations about national security, because you want to seem reasonable. And where the "bottom line" is the rationale for nearly all decisions, it's easy to moderate your voice in the workplace just to get along.

And every day you do that, you feel the pull toward a "rational" free market perspective, with a hint of a moral center rather than a moral center which enables a vibrant and stable free market. You do it because there's no room for progressive feminism there. There's not a room where you sit across from 20 of your colleagues and talk about the need for your voices to be heard and acknowledged. There's not a room where conversations about health care reform don't have to be nuanced or focus grouped. And there's not a room where you can demand parity for women in leadership.

It's time for more women in America to have the chance to sit in a room like I did on Saturday - a room where we proudly declare that women shouldn't have to be asked to lead; where women don't downplay their qualifications and where progressive women of all backgrounds have a seat at the table. Indeed, for women to reach parity in political office, we need Emerge. We need a room of our own.

By Nova Newcomer, Emerge Oregon Class of 2010

Fair Elections Now

Rosemary Dilger — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:18:27 -0500

One of the most interesting facts I have learned recently is that 47% of members of Congress are millionaires. That is compared to less than 1% of the average Joes that make up the rest America.

No matter how you cut it, money helps you win elections. People with money can not only fund their own campaigns, as exhibited by the recent mayoral race in New York, but they also are privy to networks of people that most people don't have access too. And with those networks of wealthy individuals, come special interests.

Maine has led the nation in creating public financing for state candidates. All the way from the state legislature to governor, a candidate can choose to be funded through public funds - completely void of special interests and promises made while campaigning. To keep the money going to serious candidates you need to prove yourself with "seed" money that is given through $5 donations. How much you need varies by the number of people you would ultimately represent.

All states should incorporate similar funding methods. The executive director of Emerge Maine, Katie Mae Simpson, recently told our class that in Massachusetts a candidate for the state legislature can spend up to $100,000. This time spent fundraising should be time spent doing grassroots organizing, and getting to know the voters. Likewise, those dollars should go to non-profits trying to directly impact people's lives.

There is a bill in Congress right now to make publicly funded campaigns a national program, the Fair Elections Now Act. If enacted, this bill would create a voluntary system that would limit contributions to $100, emphasize grassroots support and bring campaign finance reform into the 21st century. After last week's Supreme Court decision, to allow unlimited corporate contributions that directly affect elections, there has never been a better time to vocally support clean elections.

I would encourage all of you to call your members of Congress and ask them to support the Fair Elections Now Act - HR 1826, in the House, and S. 752 in the Senate. Clean elections have been very successful in Maine, and are a great model for the rest of the country!

By Erin McGuire, Emerge Maine Class of 2010