1985
EMILY's List is founded
In 1985, 25 women, rolodexes in hand, gathered in Ellen Malcolm's basement to send letters to their friends about a network they were forming to raise money for pro-choice Democratic women candidates.
1986
Barbara Mikulski elected to the U.S. Senate
Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD) — one of EMILY’s List’s first two candidates — became the first Democratic woman elected to the Senate in her own right in 1986. Known as the dean of the Senate women, Mikulski continues to serve as a mentor to new women members of the Senate.
1988
EMILY's List raises nearly $1,000,000 in third year
Nita Lowey (NY) and Jolene Unsoeld (WA) reversed a 14-year decline in the number of Democratic women in the U.S. House, when the number was raised from 12 to 14. EMILY's List recommended nine congressional candidates to more than 2,000 members and raised $905,000.
1990
Ann Richards elected governor of Texas
1990 marked an historic year for women in politics, including the election of Ann Richards as the governor of Texas.
1991
EMILY's List sets the stage for historic wins in 1992
By 1991, EMILY's List was gaining respect and political influence while maintaining its grassroots. The effects were obvious: women were stepping up to run, and EMILY’s List had a then-record number of candidates for the '92 elections.
Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill controversy sparks political activism among women
The Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill controversy motivated women across the country to take political action -- and, for many of them, this meant joining EMILY's List and harnessing their power as donors, voters, and candidates.
1992
Year of the Woman
During the "Year of the Woman," EMILY's List helped elect four new women senators and 20 new congresswomen. Membership grew more than 600 percent, with more than 23,000 members contributing over $10.2 million.
EMILY's List featured on 60 Minutes
EMILY's List got a big bump in March, when 60 Minutes aired a profile of Ellen and EMILY’s List. They explained our mission and goals to the nation -- and the nation was listening. The segment raised awareness and led to explosive fundraising and membership growth.
March for Women's Lives
In April, the March for Women's Lives took place on the National Mall, highlighting the power of women in a crucial election year.
1993
Carol Moseley Braun becomes the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate
Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (IL) is the only African American woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate. When she was sworn in to office in 1993, she also became the first woman to represent Illinois in the Senate.
1994
EMILY's List helps elect four new congresswomen
EMILY's List helped elect four new congresswomen and return Dianne Feinstein to the U.S. Senate. The first WOMEN VOTE! project was launched in California, where women provided the margin of victory for Feinstein. Members contributed $8.7 million to recommended candidates and membership grew to 33,156.
1995
1996
EMILY's List gears up for 1996 elections
In 1996, EMILY's List helped 31 states conduct WOMEN VOTE! projects and targeted 2.7 million women voters. EMILY’s List helped elect one new pro-choice Democratic woman senator, nine congresswomen, and one governor.
1998
Tammy Baldwin becomes first openly gay congresswoman
In addition to helping Cong. Tammy Baldwin (WI) become the first openly gay woman to serve in Congress, EMILY's List members contributed $21 million to elect a woman senator and seven new pro-choice Democratic congresswomen, bringing the total of Democratic women in the United States Congress to a record high of 43.
2000
EMILY's List launches Political Opportunity Program
During this election cycle, EMILY’s List created the Political Opportunity Program (POP) to recruit, train, and support pro-choice Democratic women running for state and local office.
2002
Nancy Pelosi becomes first woman minority leader in Congress
In the 2002 elections, EMILY's List helped elect three new pro-choice Democratic women governors and added two new women of color to the U.S. House. Every EMILY's List incumbent seeking re-election won, and pro-choice Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Minority Leader in Congress.
EMILY's List launches Campaign Corps
In 2002, EMILY's List launched Campaign Corps, a competitive program that trains a select group of recent college graduates to work in targeted progressive Democratic campaigns leading up to election day.
2004
EMILY's List launches 'Air EMILY'
The "Air EMILY" project trained and mobilized 1,300 activists to get out the vote on election day in Florida. EMILY's List raised $44 million and added five new women to the U.S. House. The POP program also helped Democrats regain control of legislative bodies in 6 states.
March for Women's Lives
In April -- 12 years after the first march -- the second March for Women's Lives took to the Capitol to bring attention to new threats on women's reproductive rights.
2005
EMILY's List celebrates 20th anniversary
Celebrating our first 20 years of changing the face of power, the EMILY's List community came together in 2005 to share our successes and stories -- and to plan our course for the future.
2006
Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker of the House
EMILY's List raised $46 million and our candidates won critical House and Senate races, helping Democrats regain control of Congress and elevating Cong. Nancy Pelosi to her historic role as the first woman Speaker of the House. Our Political Opportunity Program (POP) helped achieve the largest increase in a single election for Democratic women in statewide office in history.
EMILY's List helps elect two new women U.S. senators
Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Claire McCaskill (MO) won their 2006 bids for the U.S. Senate, helping Democrats take back control of Congress.
WOMEN VOTE! drove one of the largest women voter programs in the country, reaching women voters in more than 21 races across the country.
2007
EMILY's List endorses Hillary Clinton for president
On January 20, 2007, Hillary Clinton announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee, and EMILY's List made our first presidential endorsement the same day. EMILY’s List raised money for Clinton’s campaign and turned out millions of women to vote for her in primaries -- helping spark a surge of enthusiasm for the 2008 elections.
Tsongas becomes first woman to represent Massachusetts in Congress in 25 years
EMILY's List helped Niki Tsongas win her hard-fought special election primary and general election in Massachusetts's fifth district to become the first woman to represent the state in Congress in 25 years.
2008
Democrats win big
EMILY's List helped make 2008 a hallmark year for Democrats, raising more than $43 million and helping elect 12 new women to the U.S. House, two to the U.S. Senate, and the first woman governor of North Carolina. Our POP program helped train more than 1,300 people and helped 175 candidates in 32 states win.
2009
President Barack Obama names four EMILY's List alumnae to his cabinet
In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed four of our alumnae -- Hillary Clinton, Kathleen Sebelius, Janet Napolitano, and Hilda Solis -- to his cabinet.
EMILY's List celebrates helping elect 80th woman to the U.S. House
In 2009, Judy Chu won a special election in California's 32nd district, making her the 80th woman elected to the U.S. House with EMILY's List's support. WOMEN VOTE! ran an extensive direct mail program to reach out to 24,000 voters throughout the district, helping Chu rise above a crowded primary field and secure to a general election victory.
2010
Stephanie Schriock named president of EMILY’s List
In January, EMILY’s List announced that Stephanie Schriock would be taking the reigns as president, when founder Ellen Malcolm became chair of the board.