Why Women

What do Honolulu City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard and Wisconsin State Assemblywoman Kelda Roys have in common?

A lot, actually.

We’re stoked about our candidates running for national office this year and we’re even more excited to help bring these incredible women to Washington this November. From crime fighting, to technology, to Twilight: check out these eleven tidbits of trivia you might not find anywhere else on the campaign trail!

Did you know?

Today an all-male panel of Member of the House will hear witnesses on H.R. 3803, a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy only in the District of Columbia. The Democrats on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution have called a D.C. resident, Professor Christy Zink, whom we recommended to testify, because she had to have an abortion after 20 weeks under tragic circumstances. Her testimony will be front and center.

Last weekend was a celebration of mothers, a celebration of women -- the women who shaped our lives and paved the way for generations to come.

In a race against scandal-plagued Republican Congressman David Rivera, businesswoman Gloria Romero Roses has stepped into the ring to fight for Florida’s middle class families. Born in Colombia, Gloria has lived in the Sunshine State since age seven. She’s managing partner of Nexus Homes, LLC, which connects investors with high-quality assisted living facilities, and she’s ready to take her business acumen and solutions-oriented approach to Congress.

No one is sure about the origin of Missouri’s unofficial slogan, the “Show-Me” state . In an 1899 speech, Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver said, “I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.” Though he may not have coined “show-me,” Vandiver certainly popularized the phrase that embodies the no-nonsense character of Missourians.

On Mother’s Day this year, join me in taking time to reflect on a special woman who has made a difference in your life, a woman who helped you become the person you are today.

When I think about my career in politics I’m absolutely sure that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love, strength, and support my mother, Lori, has given me.

This past week, we asked our Facebook Fans to reflect on how their mom, grandmother, sister, wife or other special woman in their life influenced their decision to be politically active and stand up for women's rights - like health care, equal pay, and access to birth control.

House Republicans are at it again. As expected, the GOP is putting the interests of corporate America and 1% ahead of women, and families.

At the end of 2012 we could be faced with a nation that has zero Democratic women governors. Zero. For the first time in over 15 years. And that's not a step back that I am willing to take.

At EMILY's List, we work to elect Democratic women to every level of office. And it's every level of office for a reason.

Electing Democratic women governors has never been more crucial. And at this critical moment for women in America we only have one chance. That chance is Maggie Hassan. And Maggie is playing to win.