Women of Note

In 1906, Finland became the first country in the world to grant full political rights to women – they gained the right to vote (a first in Europe) and also the right to run for office. Marin is the third woman to hold the office of prime minister in Finland. She has had a quick rise to the top level of Finnish politics. A Social Democrat, is set to lead a five-party coalition government. The other four parties also are led by women. All but one of the party leaders are under the age of 35. Marin took over as city council leader in her hometown when she was 27. She became a national lawmaker in 2015, at the age of 30. more »

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi: Let us begin where our Founders began in 1776: ‘When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…’ With those words, our Founders courageously began our Declaration of Independence from an oppressive monarch, for, among other grievances, the King’s refusal to follow rightfully-passed laws. In the course of today’s events, it becomes necessary for us to address, among other grievances, the President’s failure to faithfully execute the law. During the Constitutional Convention, James Madison – the architect of the Constitution – warned that a President might ‘betray his trust to foreign powers… which might prove fatal to the republic.’ Another Founder, Gouverneur Morris, feared that a president ‘may be bribed by a greater interest to betray his trust.’ He emphasized that, ‘This Magistrate is not the King …The people are the King.’ more »

A few years ago interest revived in the passage of the ERA. Nevada and Illinois were persuaded to ratify. On November 5th Virginia elected a Democratic majority to both houses heightening expectations that it will become the 38th state to ratify the ERA. In the meantime a resolution to remove the deadline from the original 1972 resolution was introduced into the House by Rep. Jackie Speier (D CA). On November 13, the House Judiciary Committee marked-up the bill. Only a few Republicans attended. They all spoke against it, mostly claiming that the ERA would make it impossible to restrict abortion. "Sex" has replaced "protection" as the primary rationale against equality.  more »

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and 12th congressional district representative: "This is something quite spectacular and it takes us to a new level of park example for the rest of the country, new level of beauty, new level of inspiration, but most importantly, a new level of involving people.” City Librarian Michal Lambert also shared, "This unique destination will afford our community a place to be inspired and connect with nature, but also serve as a safe and inclusive space for youth and families to explore and to experience nature-based education opportunities.”    more »