It’s been everywhere – 2008 is the “year of the woman.”

Hillary Clinton. Sarah Palin. Gender bias. Women as swing voters. Women as the key voting bloc. Women as the backbone of the economy. Blah, blah, blah.

But let’s look at these Election Day facts: There was a net gain of four new women in Congress – one in the Senate and three in the House. The number of women overall went up a whopping one percent – from 16 to 17 percent. Big deal. It’s far short of the 30 percent experts say is needed for real change – and ridiculously far from the 51 percent of the population who are women.

Read More...

Congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on their resounding victory Tuesday night.

And congratulations to the eight WomenCount-endorsed candidates who clinched wins in their House and Senate races:

Kay Hagan (NC Senate)
Jeanne Shaheen (NH Senate)
Mary Landrieu (La Senate)
Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz, 8th district)
Kirsten Gillibrand (NY, 20th district)
Suzanne Kosmas (Fla, 24th district)
Betsy Markey (Colo, 4th district)
Dina Titus (Nev, 3rd district) Read More...

Our help is urgently needed in California.

There are two statewide propositions on the ballot on Tuesday that must be defeated, and women must come together and make our voices heard – now. It’s not too late.

If these measures pass, there is certain to be a ripple affect across the nation -- and we must not let that happen.

Read More...

We are planning something big for right after the election, and we wanted our members to be the first to know --- and to help us get ready.

No one understands better than you that women have been the center of the conversation in this election – the good and the bad of it. It’s our job to make sure that’s where we stay. Be the first to sign our petition calling for the President-elect to create a Presidential Commission on Women in his first 100 days. It may be the easiest – but perhaps most important – request WomenCount has made of you yet.

Read More...

Today, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Jill Biden , wife of Senator Joe Biden, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, thanks to Women for Obama.  On the call which included Danielle Gray, National Deputy Policy Director, a small group of women bloggers asked questions about Dr. Biden's thoughts on the problems of our educational system and what she thinks we should do about it. Read More...

Meet our “8 in ’08” – candidates for House and Senate.

They range in age from 38 to 62. They have a total of 15 children among them. Some have previously worked in politics, and others have backgrounds as teachers, lawyers, and business leaders. Their top priorities are creating jobs, increasing access to health care, improving education, and ending the war, among others. Read More...

Do you have issues? Real issues? Ones that you care deeply about that have not been adequately addressed so far in this campaign?

Women are not single-issue thinkers, and we’re not single-issue voters. You have issues. Tell us your story.
We’re getting tired of hearing that women are the swing voters in this election, and about how hard the candidates are working to court our support. If that’s true, let’s tell them what matters to us. Let’s tell them about our issues.

We are also tired of the pandering about traditional “women’s issues.” We care deeply and passionately about reproductive rights and pay equity, but we also care about gas prices, the crisis on Wall Street, affordable health care, the quality of education, and the future of our troops in Iraq, to name just a few.
It’s time for the candidates and the mainstream media to stop talking about the politics of the “women’s vote” and to start listening to the substance of the issues we care about.

WomenCount has partnered with Tokoni, a social media community, to give you a place to tell your story about the issues that matter most to you. Our new campaign – “I’m a woman. I have issues.” – will gather those stories and carry your voices to the campaigns, the media, and our party leaders.

You’re a woman, and you have issues. What is yours, and why? Tell us your story.

Perhaps you have a 50-mile commute to work each way and your paycheck is barely covering your expenses. Or maybe health care is your priority because you can’t afford insurance and rely on the doctor at the local clinic to give you free samples of antibiotics when your kids are sick.

WomenCount formed to give women a voice in the political process. Ever since we created our PAC last May, and then our non-profit arm in July, we’ve been doing just that. And this new campaign is an extension of our original mission – it’s all about respect and accountability.

The more stories we can collect, the more forceful we can be. There are three ways you can help:

• Write your story.
• Forward this message to a friend.
• Donate to support our efforts to make sure that our voices are heard.

Christine Jennings, U.S. congressional candidate from Florida and a dynamic, WomenCount supported candidate, was profiled in a detailed interview today by Julie Pippert of the MOMocrats. Topics include community service, the economy, green jobs, the environment, the space program, healthcare and education. Read More...

Here at WomenCount, we couldn't be more happy that our campaign issue of gender bias is finally getting attention, although as Amy Poehler said in character as Hillary Clinton on Saturday Night Live, "the issue that I'm frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about." Whatever it took, we're glad it's finally here.

The five minute skit of a joint press conference given by Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Hillary Clinton, quickly gets to the point as Tina Fey does a smashing portrayal of Palin. "Tonight, we are crossing party lines to address the now very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign."

Both actresses/characters mock the actions that have occurred thus far in the campaign, like sexist name calling of both Clinton and Palin, as well as various photoshopping of their faces onto other peoples' bodies. A poignant but possibly overlooked quote from Poehler as Clinton: "I wanted to be president, and I just happen to be a women."

They spelled out what many people really want to see in the rest of the election: Palin: "So in the next six weeks, I invite the media to be vigilant for sexist behavior..." Clinton: "although it is never sexist to ask female politicians about credentials." And finally... Clinton: In conclusion, I invite the media to grow a pair... and if you can't, I will lend you mine."

See NBC's SNL Palin sketch video here. (See also, Alex Spillius's spot-on analysis of the sketch.)

They were two of the biggest perpetrators of sexist comments during this election - MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews - and now they have been dethroned from their anchor posts and returned to commentary roles at the network.

Their displays of extreme gender bias were not cited as even a factor in the reshuffling, but WomenCount heralds the move as a victory in the fight to stamp out sexism on the campaign trail. Our efforts specifically call on party leaders - or corporate chiefs, as the case may be - to “stop the silence” on sexism. Booting those in high-profile media posts is a good step.

Olbermann famously suggested that someone should take Hillary Clinton “into a room and only he comes out.” His attack reached a new low in its threat of violence.

Chris Matthews called Hillary a “she-devil” and “witchy” and lamented that the reason she was a United States Senator and candidate for president was that her “husband messed around. We keep forgetting it. She didn't win [the Senate race] on her merit.”

Offensive is an understatement. The only thing worse is that Olbermann and Matthews sat in their anchor chairs for as long as they did.

We find it mysterious that no one's talking about their well-documented patterns of gender bias as a factor in their dismissals. In today's news coverage of their removals, we could not find any mention of their sexist and offensive behavior, from the New York Times to NPR. These are news organizations that know better.

Such a lack of recognition of their role in this year's sexist treatment of candidates proves our work is far from finished. Congratulate MSNBC for dropping Olbermann and Matthews but remind them we are still watching closely! We will forward your message.

Gov. Sarah Palin's spot on the Republican ticket has launched the subject of sexist treatment of woman candidates back into the spotlight. As Melissa McEwan wrote on her popular blog Shakesville last week, we will defend Palin “against misogynist smears not because we like her or support her, but because that's how feminism works.”

And today, liberal talk show host Rachel Maddow launches her new show on MSNBC so overall the network has a chance to get it right in their coverage of women and women's issues. Let's remind them and others we'll be watching.

And don't forget to forward this message to a friend so they sign up with WomenCount and we have all hands on deck!

Warmly,

The WomenCount Team

 
So, I’ve been trying to write a compelling blog for the past 2 days. Do I write about this new strategy of the Republican’s to hijack “feminism” to be used only as a tool to their own end – to be thrown away like so much garbage after they implement it like a blunt instrument unto the American public?

Do I write about the incredible REAL historic “first” of a woman being nominated by her party to be vice-president of the United States of America?

Do I write about the differences between Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin – or rather, try to find even one similarity other than gender?

Do I rail about a candidate who allows her own daughter to exercise choice – (We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby…”  Isn’t decision another word for…”choice”?  I’m just asking.) while aspiring to the second highest office in the land with an agenda to take that right of Choice from every other woman in this country?

But in the end, like any good woman, I decided to use my prerogative and write about them all.

Ladies (and gentlemen), we are going to have A LOT to talk about and a loooong road ahead of us.  As Gloria Steinem said in her recent NY Times Op-ed, “Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman.  It’s about making life more fair for women everywhere.  It’s not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that.  It’s about baking a new pie.” 

Well, at WomenCount, and speaking for myself, that is one kitchen I will happily spend the rest of my life in.

Rosemary Camposano   

You have probably seen Kirsten Powers duking it out - effectively - with Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and the legions of conservative commentators on Fox News. Kirsten's piece in today's New York Post lays down the gauntlet for the next wave of feminism - with a "shout out" to WomenCount .

 

A FEMINIST DREAM AT THE GOP

by: Kirsten Powers

September 4, 2008

ST. PAUL

If you drive around my home state of Alaska for very long, you're sure to see a bumper sticker exclaiming, "Alaska girls kick ass."

Last night, "Sarah Barracuda" more than lived up to that slogan as she fought back at the media and Washington naysayers who've ridiculed her as a bimbo bumpkin interloper and showed she isn't going to be pushed around.

Had the media not been viciously attacking her family for the last few days, the speech might've seemed too tough. With that backdrop, it was more than appropriate.

The Obama camp also gave her the perfect chance to smack it around for being elitists - since its first response to John McCain picking her was to ridicule the size of her home town.

On that stage last night, Sarah Palin represented everything the feminist movement claims to strive for: a successful working woman with a happy family life and a husband who helps raise the children. Yet, rather than hailing her accomplishment, the feminist establishment has sat by silently as she's savaged for being a working mother.

Turns out old feminism is really just a bunch of good 'ole girls telling you what to think.

Ladies, don't you worry your pretty little heads about deciding what you believe; the audaciously named National Organization for Women is here to speak on your behalf.

NOW put out a press release saying that Sarah Palin doesn't speak for women's rights. That's NOW's job.

Except if a conservative woman is being smeared in the media with sexist attacks and held to a completely different standard than her male counterparts. Then NOW has nothing to say about women's rights.

Time for a little truth in advertising.

Liberal women have been furiously penning identical screeds against Sarah Palin - blasting McCain for not understanding women and then announcing, "Now, let me speak on behalf of all women and tell you what women want in a candidate."

Talk about condescending.

Actress and 1970s women's-rights activist Jean Stapleton once allegedly quipped that Edith Bunker would support the Equal Rights Amendment "if she understood it." Today, nobody could blame any woman for not understanding a movement that purports to support equality for women but sits by silently as liberal radio host Ed Schultz uses "bimbo alert" to refer to Palin - and calls her a bad mother on CNN.

Where is the condemnation for the sickening misogyny, such as the DailyKOS's mock Playboy cover with Palin? The Huffington Post's photo montage of Palin, headlined "Former Beauty Queen, Future VP?" The Washington Post's Sally Quinn criticizing Palin for being a working mother?

Well, I suppose she could've stayed home and baked cookies.

But conservatives shouldn't get too self-satisfied - they have plenty to atone for, too. Having discovered sexism now that their darling Sarah is under attack doesn't get them off the hook for their part in tearing down liberal working women in the past. (See: Clinton, Hillary, cookies.)

A 2001 National Review cover story screamed, "Thanks Mom! The Case Against Working Mothers." It included such gems as: "Maybe a little stigma is exactly what [working mothers] deserve . . . for abandoning their children. We are committed to 'leaving no child behind' unless it is by his mother hustling off to make her career." Now National Review Online is the hub for condemning sexist comments on Palin - who went back to work three days after giving birth to her last child. Hustle, hustle.

Many liberal women remember how infuriating it was to watch the conservative Phyllis Schlafly travel the country lecturing women about the evils of equal rights and urging them to not work (as she worked and was away from her family). Now, she supports Sarah Palin.

At the 1992 Republican National Convention, Pat Buchanan demonized Hillary Clinton as a "radical feminist" who hated the institution of marriage despite her seeming attachment to her own marriage against all odds.

When asked during the primary by a supporter about Hillary, "How do we beat the bitch?" McCain laughed and answered: "That's an excellent question."

Both sides suffer from the same illness: Ideology trumps all.

Now it's time for both sides to move past this and embrace some postpartisan feminism. Sexism will never stop if both sides are blind to it when it happens to their opponents.

There's some hope. The new women's group, WomenCount, which sprung up from the Hillary movement, was founded to speak out against all sexism - not just that lobbed at women they agree with. In a statement about Palin, it said it would "stand up for [Palin] against misogynist smears not because we like her or support her, but because that's how feminism works."

Amen to that.

It started Friday afternoon with John Roberts on CNN, and then in a slow build over the weekend it became clear what the leading sexist charge would be against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: Is it appropriate for her to accept the vice presidential nomination given the magnitude of her current family responsibilities?

 

The question came not just from members of the media but also from voters around the country who wrote in to news organizations and on blogs.

 

The obvious retort is whether anyone would ask the same question of the father of a four-month-old with Down Syndrome and a pregnant teenager. We think not.

 

Radio talk host Ed Schultz on CNN Monday night took things even further by declaring that Palin would not be able to focus on her job given her family distractions.

 

And Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn wrote: “Of course, women can be good mothers and have careers at the same time. I’ve done both. Other women in public office have children…but…a mother’s role is different from a father’s.”

 

The message? Sarah Palin: bad mother.

 

On that count we have no doubt these accusations would never be made about a man. In that sense, Sally Quinn is right – and that’s why things have got to change.

 

The very notion that Sarah Palin should not have accepted this nomination because she is a mother with demanding challenges underscores just how far we have to go.

WomenCount has promised that we would jump on these examples of sexism. Here’s where YOU come in.  Tell the media to back off, and we’ll forward your messages to the right places. 

 

Stamping out sexism is about shifting the culture. It will be good for America to watch Sarah Palin on the campaign trail – bouncing from parenting to politics. That’s how most women function – multi-tasking, leaning on friends and family, and waking up each morning and doing it all again.

 

Throughout the weekend, we have been asked about WomenCount’s views on Sarah Palin as the Republican nominee. It is important to distinguish between the broader issue of sexism and the ideology of an individual.  WomenCount was born of the passion its founders had for Hillary Clinton’s clear view of social issues and progressive values.  We cannot pretend that Governor Palin meets any standard of progressive politics or social values.

 

But regardless of the candidates’ ideology, we will work to stamp out sexism when we see it on the campaign trail. To paraphrase the words of one blogger who said it best over the weekend: We will defend Sarah Palin against misogynist smears not because we like her or support her, but because that’s how feminism works.

 

This historic election continues to be noted for its "firsts," and now here's another one: the first woman to be on a Republican presidential ticket. The choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be John McCain's running mate sends a clear message - women voters are the most coveted demographic in this election. The selection is a deliberate effort to reach out to women in this election. After all, women make up more than half of the electorate, and recent polls show that women comprise a majority of undecided voters. 

  
Much will be said and written in the days ahead about Gov. Palin's views on issues, and we urge you to consider these positions with depth and thoughtfulness - she is anti-choice, pro-gun, and pro-big oil. 

 

Much will also be written about Gov. Palin's years on the PTA, that she describes herself as a "hockey mom," and how she juggles her professional life with the demands of her five children. Gov. Palin herself has already referred to Hillary's "18 million cracks" in the glass ceiling and her own new place in history. But we want to hear from you.

 

Tell us how you feel about the choice of Gov. Palin as the GOP vice presidential nominee. 
 

It is good for the political process that woman politicians will continue to play such a central role on the campaign trail. Gov. Palin's selection also means the media has another chance to get it right when it comes to covering a serious woman candidate in a presidential election. Just as with Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain, we'll be watching closely to see how she is treated when it comes to gender bias. We need you to be our eyes and ears on the campaign trail. If it happens, WomenCount will be right there. 

Already on CNN this morning there was discussion about whether it was appropriate for Gov. Palin to take on this role given that she has a four-month-old baby with Down's Syndrome. Dana Bash, the CNN reporter who is covering McCain's campaign, quite rightly asked whether the same question would be asked of a male candidate who is the father of a newborn with Down's. Exactly.

 

Let us know if you see signs of sexism in this election.

Remember, it's time to stop the silence.

And it's over. After the rushing and packing and coordinating and blogging in the hours leading up to the convention, and then the buses and taxis and planes and cars to get back home, it's hard to believe it's over. What an amazing experience, and what a perfect time and place for launching WomenCount.

A quick recap:

• We hosted an immensely successful event featuring Senator Hillary Clinton, hours before she took the stage to give her electrifying speech to the Convention. (See a video here. )
  
  
• We met an incredible group of bloggers working on and writing about issues that are important to women.
  
  
• We asked a range of women and men why women count in this election season, and posted their responses to our new YouTube channel. (Watch them here —including new ones with Ashley Judd and Jamie Foxx!)
  
  
• We responded to the distorted coverage of our issues in the mainstream press, and said our own piece.
  
  
• We moderated a panel on cracks to the glass ceiling and what's next for women in politics. (Watch a clip here. )
  
  
• And, most important of all, we met hundreds of women and men who are tired with politics as we know them—tired of the sexism in media, tired of the transactional nature of politics, tired of being consigned to a "women's ghetto"—and ready to work with WomenCount for a change.

 

All in all, a huge success, and an auspicious beginning for WomenCount. If you couldn't be in Denver this past week, we hope our coverage gave you a sense of the energy, the excitement, and the momentum that we saw for change, and for WomenCount.

Now, we need to unpack our bags, do some laundry, and get ready for the Republican National Convention next week. What will McCain's choice of a female VP candidate mean? How will it change the election for women this Fall? How will Republicans look to woo women in November? All that and more to come next week.

On Thursday, WomenCount held our final event at the Democratic National Convention on the Digg stage in the Big Tent. Featuring Erin Kotecki Vest, Political Director of BlogHer, Marie Wilson, Executive Director of the White House Project, Sarah Granger, WomenCount's official blogger, and Lisa Witter, President of Fenton Communications, we discussed the effect of Hillary Clinton's run for President, issues facing women this election year, and ways to get women more involved in politics. An excerpt from our conversation is below. 

Lisa Witter and Marie Wilson discuss women, power, anger, and politics:

Erin Kotecki Vest of BlogHer and Lisa Witter of Fenton Communications discuss what Barack Obama should do to women the women's vote:

Video of the entire event will soon be posted on the Big Tent's YouTube channel. We'll keep you posted!

Wow! History is made again. McCain definitely knows how to shake things up. Picking Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate today makes it crystal clear - women are the most coveted demographic for both Obama and McCain. It is also clear that Senator Clinton's candidacy continues to impact the race in unprecedented ways. In fact, many think McCain's pick is a reaction to Obama not picking Clinton as his running mate. We just listened to Governor Palin's speech and noticed that she didn't mention Obama or Biden by name, but she did give props to Senator Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro.

Like the rest of the country, we still need to get up to speed on everything about Governor Palin, but there is no doubt that she is pro-life, and really close to Big Oil interests. If McCain thinks we will fall in line simply because he picked a woman - we will give him our own surprise. We know that Senator Clinton's supporters didn't just vote for her because she was a woman - they voted for her because she was a qualified woman who was with them on the issues.

Stay tuned - WomenCount will uncover the "substance over style" and we will continue to keep you updated as the "Sarah Shocker" plays out. We would love to hear what you think. Send us your thoughts to info@womencount.org.

I went to the Democratic National Convention with a purpose – Thank God.  I don’t have the fortitude to be one of the thousands of people who come and spend the entire convention trying to get into the good party, meeting, or luncheon – then trading those invites like baseball cards for other, more coveted events.  I have gained respect and admiration for those who can do it!  I wish I could think of a way to use all the energy, focus, and sheer determination that goes into that process, into a product idea.  I’d make a billion!

So, yes, I showed up at the convention with my new organization, WomenCount, all bundled up in so many stickers, market bags, and t-shirts – hoping beyond hope that WE were going to be one of the events that people traded their small, aging grandmother for.  And from an event standpoint, I think we did okay.  The attendees may not have traded a grandmother, but certainly the family dog or an annoying teenager was up for barter.  It was a marvelous event with a stellar line-up of congresswomen and candidates and, of course, the person we were all there to see – Hillary Rodham Clinton.  And, as she always does, she understood more about what we are trying to achieve that most of us did.  “An online movement for Women’s activism”.  Yep.  That’s exactly right.  She TOTALLY “gets” what we are about, and how vital it will be for women to utilize the internet for grassroots activism from here on out.

But let’s face it – my candidate didn’t win – and I was not looking forward to wading into the sea of “believers” to take the temperature of Jane Doe from the actual floor of the convention.  But can I just tell you that the experience was exhilarating and amazing?  More than 50% of the delegates this year are women!  Women are FILLED with energy and enthusiasm about the future.  MANY of these women were “newbies” who had never come to a convention or even thought about engaging in the political process.   And from young to old, rich to not-rich, political “lifers” to political newborns they thought the concept of WomenCount was FANTASTIC!  Many, many of them had real AHA! moments.   Because if there is one thing Obama has taught this nation, it is the POWER of the internet as a political force.
So, with WomenCount in mind, as I reflect on the past 3 days and look forward to our future, I feel…dare I say it…hopeful.

 Visit our YouTube channel to see more answers to why women count. Or add your own--either on our YouTube channel or by emailing us at info@womencount.org .

I knew it was a good sign when we checked into Room 527 at the hotel after arriving in Denver Monday afternoon. After all, one of our primary goals this week was the official launch of WomenCount,.org, the non-profit 527 arm of our organization that has now joined the PAC we opened back in May. The whole team made the trip: me (executive director), Rosemary Camposano (communications director), and Jehmu Greene (political director).

On Tuesday, our outdoor lunch event exceeded all of my wildest expectations - the weather cooperated, turnout was huge, our new “swag” was a big hit, and most importantly, I feel like everyone's starting to “get it” when it comes to what we're all about. Perhaps we're doing a better job describing it - we've had a month now to rehearse - but the fact is we're hearing overwhelmingly positive feedback and enormous enthusiasm for what we're trying to do. The nut of it is this - we're creating a movement, driven by technology, that can be galvanized to give women of all generations and all backgrounds a voice in the political process.

After talking to supporters at our event, as well as reporters and old friends I've been running into around Denver, I am more convinced than ever about the need for WomenCount.org. Here's the thing - there's nothing out there like it, and women want it. An online movement, that is. Everyone nods and says the same thing: “It's about time.”

We really strike a chord when we talk about the lessons of the Democratic primary, especially the Obama campaign's online grassroots success, as well as models such as MoveOn. This line really works: "Grassroots organizing has a new look. The women's movement needs one too."

You know who really gets it? Hillary. We had a chance to chat with her briefly just before she went on stage at our party on Tuesday. She made it clear how important a role she believes the Internet will play in the future of politics and talked about the need for a “national network of activism.” Working on it.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Tuesday delivered three powerful speeches at DNCC events. The first, at the WomenCount launch, emphasized her commitment to getting more women elected to public office. The second, for EMILY's List, spoke to important challenges we face, and the third, as the final speaker in the Pepsi Center, called Democrats who supported her to support Barack Obama for President if they want the issues she has fought so long and hard for to be taken on in the White House.

Senator Clinton identified that not only is it important to elect a leader who not only supports universal healthcare, an issue she has championed for two decades, but also that it is essential that we make a commitment to easing the challenges for working families and that we get out of the war responsibly. Throughout these phenomenal speeches, she never faltered at providing a powerful message that women will not be ignored and women will be heard. And throughout the week in the Pepsi Center, women have been given prominent roles.

Just minutes ago, Senator Clinton called for an affirmation vote of Barack Obama as president, and Speaker Pelosi proclaimed him as the official party nominee. It was a historic moment for women and a historic moment as the first African American was nominated for a major political party for the role of Commander-in-Chief.

Senator Clinton in her speech for WomenCount asked us to keep fighting, and in her speech in the convention center Tuesday night, she called for continuing to help parents "balance work and family", she called for a "clean energy economy that will create millions of green collar jobs", and she echoed Barack and Michelle Obama's call to make America's education system world-class from preschool through college. She also called for a restoration of "fiscal sanity" and diplomacy. Finally, she remarked on how amazing it was that her daughter was able to vote for her for president.

As you know, WomenCount officially launched yesterday with a big reception featuring Senator Hillary Clinton and more than 700 supporters.  The size of the audience and passion displayed across those who gathered showed the level of commitment that exists for making sure the issues most important to women are being addressed in this election season.

Unfortunately, the mainstream press seems bent on promoting a storyline that doesn't exist.  The headline on one newspaper blog, for example, noted "Hillary Clinton skips mentioning Obama in a speech to supporters" making an issue out of her comments, rather than focusing on the true purpose of the event -- to rally support for WomenCount and our mission.

Read a little deeper into the articles that try to make hay of the Senator's comments (or lack thereof) and you will find the true meaning behind her remarks.  For example:

- The LA Times Blog noted that Senator Clinton previewed her dramatic headlining speech at the Convention saying, “I believe with all my heart that the Democratic Party represents a much better future for everything we believe in and care about and I will be making a very strong case tonight that we stand behind our nominees in order to keep pushing progress forward.’’  A post on Salon.com grabbed the same quote.

- The reporter at the Hill actually talked to our communications director, Rosemary Camposano, quoting her saying: "She was specifically trying not to focus on the campaign," but rather on "what women need to focus on from here on out," in terms of issues of importance to them.  At least one person was paying attention.

I wouldn't normally comment on the work by the media, or in this case the lack of effort they seemed to show in only reporting part of the story from the event.  But when it impacts our ability to get the message of WomenCount to the public, it further reinforces the need for us to exist and continue to fight.

The whole story is this: The event was terrific and WomenCount is off to a strong start. Senator Clinton and a full slate of excellent speakers wowed the crowd yesterday.  And, we are committed to pushing an agenda that recognizes the lessons of the 2008 primary election and makes sure that women's issues are addressed appropriately during the remaining days of this Election cycle, and beyond.

Print that, reporters.

BY JEHMU GREENE, former president of Rock the Vote, and political director of WomenCount.org.

August 24, 2008

You either love her or you hate her. That is the sentiment that wise men and women of political punditry wanted voters to believe about Sen. Hillary Clinton going in to the 2008 presidential cycle.

But after 18 million votes, 1,906 delegates, and a new generation of women finding their political voice for the first time, there's only one truth about Sen. Clinton that no one can dispute - she is a fighter. And she will continue to fight for New York.

As we head into the Democratic National Convention, which starts Monday in Denver, pundits are now asking, what is Clinton's endgame? What will be her legacy? What future does she have within a reshaped Democratic Party?

I can only wonder where these folks have been for the past three decades. The answers they seek are not hidden in some secret playbook shared only by Sen. Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Her legacy is embedded in the seeds she planted at the Children's Defense Fund. They sprouted while she served as the youngest National Chair of Legal Aid, and were nurtured when she was first lady of Arkansas, as she championed early-education programs for low-income families. Her roots were grounded as she did time as first lady of our country and marshaled in the Children's Health Insurance Program.

When she was elected as the junior U.S. senator from New York, her branches reached across the aisle to work with proponents of her husband's impeachment, delivering health care for our national guardsmen as well as expanding access to care for those impacted by 9/11.

And in the longest primary season to date, Clinton's limbs soared to unprecedented heights as she became the first woman to win a state primary as well as the candidate who by some counts received the highest number of votes - ever - in a presidential primary.

At the end of some long days on the campaign trail, and after a barrage of senseless comments in the media about pantsuits or cackling, I admit that there were brief moments when, as a surrogate for Clinton, I felt beat down. But all I needed for inspiration was to ask myself, "What would Hillary do?" She would get up to fight another day.

When masses of African-American voters took the bait and tried to rewrite the accomplishments of a woman who has spent the majority of her adult life delivering meaningful programs to single black mothers, Clinton continued to fight to help black families. When politicians she had helped elect and lifelong friends turned their backs on her, she kept fighting.

Being attacked didn't faze her, because she has always been laser-focused on the bigger picture: making a difference. And now that this chapter in her career is passing, Clinton will resume her role as the junior U.S. senator from New York. She will return to the Senate chambers, where she will continue making a difference.

Contrary to the latest buzz, Clinton doesn't have to reinvent herself. She isn't Madonna. With many milestones left to come, the final page of her legacy hasn't yet been written. But the primary campaign did add several new pages to her already long, storied resume.

Because Senator Clinton is a fighter, state Democratic Parties raised more money and built up their grassroots organizations earlier than ever before. Because she refused to give in until every state had its say, Democratic voters in places that hadn't received visits from a single primary candidate in 20, 30 and sometimes 40 years, were given the opportunity to cast a meaningful ballot.

Because of Clinton, the Democratic Party now knows that its nomination process has to go through a major overhaul, to open our doors to veterans, shift workers and the elderly, who have traditionally been discriminated against through exclusionary caucuses.

Because Clinton endured vile comments that have never been leveled at other presidential candidates, Democratic leaders will include language in the National Platform to stop the silence on sexism.

Because Clinton ran such a close race, my niece, and every other baby girl in America, can now dream about being president one day. Because "Hillary" inspired them, women who never participated in politics have been activated. Her legacy? A new playing field in Democratic politics.

Clinton showed that she could tough it out in one of the closest primary elections ever. Then, while still bloodied and bruised, she immediately turned her focus to electing her opponent. Her legacy? New rules for when you lose a primary race: honor and grace.

Clinton has more than earned a prime-time speaking role at the convention and the right for her name to be placed on the roll call vote.

This week, some of her supporters will march and protest in Denver. Others will celebrate a new political movement for women. Those of us who joined her cause - those of us who traveled state-to-state and those who could only get to the polls to pull the lever for her - we will continue to fight for her causes.

How could we not? We learned from the master.

When Sen. Clinton takes the stage at the convention Tuesday night, there may be a few crabs still stuck in their barrels, trying to find everything wrong with what she says and wears.

But the majority of people - Democrats and now even some Republicans - will tune in to watch the woman they have come to either like or love. She'll call on her delegates to throw their support behind our nominee. Most will listen.

Those that choose another path are not lost to the Democratic Party forever.

One by one, Clinton, leading by example, will help guide them back. Her legacy? Unity.

I'm a lifelong Democrat, but I never truly connected with the party mascot before. But take a close look at Clinton's accomplishments. Mules are noted for their endurance, sure-footedness and ability to withstand hard work in hot weather. Clinton has hauled our issues, hopes and dreams on her back her whole lifetime.

She took a heavy load to the top of the mountain in the past year and is ready to climb back down, load back up, and start her ascent again.

What will she do when the balloons have dropped and the last bottle of Champagne has been uncorked? She'll do what she's done since first being inspired to become a public servant by the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. - she'll go back to fighting. Don't expect her to give up on either her loftiest goals for the nation or the everyday needs of New York.

Her legacy? If she can do it, so can I. And so can the Democratic Party.

At the convention this week, Clinton's supporters will pay close attention to all the speakers who'll be paraded out and the laundry list of issues they address. We'll assess how the Obama team interacts with the "other half of the party." The general election is going to be close, and there's no room for error. Obama's team can't afford to take punitive actions against die-hard Clinton supporters and lifelong Democratic donors. Allowing the roll call vote and giving her a prime speaking time are steps in the right direction.

And finally, on Thursday night, Clinton fans will listen carefully to Sen. Barack Obama's speech at Invesco Field.

His legacy is still unwritten.

He is sure to go down in history for inspiring the largest increase in youth voter participation, and rightly so. But I also hope that one future entry will reference the day he was sworn in as the first African-American president of the United States - a day when he looked out at the people gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol, found Sen. Clinton among the sea of faces, and nodded his head in thanks.

Because of Clinton, Obama is a stronger candidate and better prepared to take on the "vast right-wing conspiracy" that cut their teeth on her for the past 16 years. Her legacy? I look forward to voting for Obama in November, with a hat-tip to Hillary.

[Note: this piece has been reprinted from Newsday.com http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opgre235812653aug24,0,7062876.story?page=1 ]

Last night, as one of the first official actions at the Democratic National Convention, delegates approved the Democratic Party's Platform, entitled "Renewing America's Promise."  The platform addresses some of the most pressing issues facing our nation, and takes on the challenges that millions of women from all across this country are facing -- issues like healthcare and their children's education. 

The platform commits the party to Barack Obama's policy ideas, but also recognizes the ideas and energy that Senator Hillary Clinton introduced into the primary -- the ideas that more than 18 million people showed support for with their vote.

And perhaps most importantly, the platform committee accepted the challenge that WomenCount put forward -- by including language that makes it clear that sexism and gender bias has no place in our political process.

Here is what the platform says:

We believe that standing up for our country means standing up against sexism and all intolerance. Demeaning portrayals of women cheapen our debates, dampen the dreams of our daughters, and deny us the contributions of too many. Responsibility lies with us all.

What does that mean?

It means the Democratic Party has begun the process of turning our values into action -- standing up for families, defending our civil rights and strongly denouncing sexism, which sadly continues to be so prevalent throughout our society, and our political process. 

The Democratic Party platform represents a big win for WomenCount - and for women everywhere.  It also represents the beginning of a new effort for us, to make sure that the Party lives up to the goals it has established, and that the Republicans accept similar language in their platform.

(Note: You can download the Democratic Platform here)

(Note: you can see video from this event on our YouTube channel )

The following is an account written live at the WomenCount launch event at the Democratic National Convention by members of the MOMocrats :

We just got started... Governor Jeanne Shaheen is speaking.  Currently running for Senator in New Hampshire.  Says she can beat John Sununu, with our help.  She would be 1st woman Senator from NH and the first woman governor to become a senator.

Jehmu Greene, Political Director of WomenCount, emceed the event, noting that this is the launch of WomenCount.org, which will be the equivalent of Moveon.org for women.

Tracey Brooks from New York 21 is introduced.

She wanted to thank Carolyn Maloney who came to her region to say "we need to send another woman to congress from New York state. Time to stand up to special interests, time to make government accountable to communities, families to the people." People are hungry for change, tired of the direction the country is going. "I am change. I will be first woman from my district to head down to Washington."  Three in 90 years from the state. "I will work side by side with you for the next 30 years. to ensure pay equity, a woman's right to choose, that President Bush cannot say that contraception is a form of abortion."

Inviting you to website: TraceyBrooks.com and you can help send another woman to Congress who will be part of our future a very long time.

Welcome to Christine Jennings who will be challenging Burr Buchanan. Most expensive race the last time; she lost by only 367 votes last time. We have to get behind her and help her to win this time.

Jennings is running in Florida 13, Kathatine Harris' old seat. "That's the seat where I lost by 369 votes." "I want to tell you about Stephanie Tubb Jones. #2, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and the third is Hillary Clinton. Let me tell you what she did for me in October 2006, she did a fundraiser that Carolyn Maloney attended. Hillary and Bill Clinton separately called me to tell me I'd won that race.  She called a second time. We need women like that, women who are organized, who are there for the long haul. What the people need from all of us running is leadership. It's the leadership that's missing from this country and all the issues. I've been a banker for 40 years. I understand fully. You win by the power of money at the grassroots level, at this. this is such a wonderful new idea of the PAC that you started. My oppononent is one of the wealthiest people in Congress. This time my opponent has had lawsuits filed against him in the last 90 days. I need your help. I'm going to represent you - help me get there and thank you for the opportunity."

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney: "Thank you for supporting Women Count. We all saw the importance that they played in the historic race of Hillary Rodham Clinton adn the candidatees they are supporting. We will not stop until the population is 51% of Congress and the corporate boards and every other area of society."

"I had a dream about my good friend Hillary Rodham Clinton. she was dressed in purple like the suffragettes. And she was in a meeting with Justice Roberts and Justice Alito and she won the argument."

"It's a national scandal that we still do not have health care for the 9/11 rescue workers. Hillary will see to it that they and everyone will have health care."

"Her candidacy was the best of times and the worst of times. I'm so proud of her. she gained. she earned 18 million votes. and she raised more money than any other candidate in history except Barack Obama. I am standing taller and I believe every woman is standing taller. Thank you Hillary Cliinton for being there and running and doing so well."

"But it was also the worst of times for women because we saw the dark underbelly of sexism and misogyny, and like Ginger Rogers who did everything backwards and in high heels, women have more barriers to break. Someone should write a book, about women who have come so far yet still have obstacles."

Greene: "As Madeline Albright says, 'There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women'." "I share with you that we have not passed a family friendly law since 1993, the Family Leave Act. 15 years. Most families need the second income, even though we only earn 73 cents to the dollar. We can get out there and make that difference. It is up to the women, it is up to you, vote for yourself, vote for a woman, thank you for supporting this organization."

Now introducing the Congresswoman from Florida, Debbie Washington Schultz.

Congresswoman Schultz: Of the 240 women who have served in the House of Representatives, 70 are serving now. Take a look at the candidates at the WomenCount site - take a look at all of these candidates and support them.  "Tonight will be a fantastic celebration of Hillary Clinton's candidacy."

"We need you to join us in this movement... to get this organization launched... with some of the most amazing women I've worked with."

Acknowledging the  the founders of WomenCount: Rosemary Compasano, Susie Tompkins Buell, Amy Rao, Stacy Mason

"This team - with your help, if you join our team, we will not just get language on sexism and gender bias on the Democratic platform; we'll get it on the Republican platform." (Jehmu Greene)

Greene: "With your commitment... a woman will be president!"

Tearful tribute to Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Jehmu: "As the Director of Women's Outreach for the DNC, I met this woman - the first African American woman to become a Congresswoman and I was nervous... I remember that Stephanie walked into that room and the first thing I noticed were her shoes... Stephanie always wore comfortable shoes because the fight she was engaged in in her lifetime, she had to be comfortable... she was kicking, when necessary, and this woman, when she walked into my office, she extended her arms with the biggest hug and the biggest smile... for ten years, I had the opportunity to be mentored by her, to learn from her.  But the last year, when she picked-up the phone and with a nudge and a bigger push, said 'you have to speak out for Senator Clinton... and we need your voice.'  If Stephanie was in this fight, I was in this fight... it is for Stephanie and Stephanie's cause that we are now launching this organization."

(Cheers as Hillary and Chelsea Clinton enters)

Senator Clinton recognized all of the congresswomen who are present, and she recognized today as the 88th celebration of women's suffrage.

"We cannot be deterred.  We cannot be divided." "I have served in the Senate and I do not want to see progress subverted for four more years with a Republican in the White House... but what it so great about our country is we don't sit around wiaiting for our government to do things... that's where citizen activism has always made a difference.  The march toward women's suffrage that ended in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment started in 1848 with the Women's Rights Convention in New York..."  Women kept at it, she said, and WomenCount is one of the organizations that takes on that good work... "WomenCount will continue to stand up against the pervasive bias that we saw in the media.  WomenCount will continue to stand up and be a voice for those who feel that they are left out and left behind.  There is so much work to be done and this is exciting and energizing work."

She thanked everyone for working so hard for her.

"I will be there with you, I will work with you." "We have made a lot of progress... but we have a lot more to do.  So join with us, be part of this ongoing effort to realize the promise of America and the lives of Americans." 

Senator Clinton remained to sign posters and talk with women supporters. Then she introduced CongresswomanSheila Jackson Lee (before heading to the EMILY's List gala.)

Jackson Lee: "Thank you for giving me the opportunity..."

Written by MOMocrats Glennia Campbell, Donna Schwartz Mills and Sarah Granger. 

With people descending upon Denver from all directions and all walks of life, one of the biggest themes this week at the Democratic National Convention is Women. Women voters, women candidates and future women leaders. This year for the first time we have a woman Speaker of the House and a viable woman candidate who nearly clinched the Democratic nomination, so there's a lot to celebrate. And tomorrow is the 88th anniversary of the day when women were granted the right to vote.

Now we have little girls saying "I want to be president" and we can actually begin to believe it may happen in our lifetimes. But there's still a lot of work to be done - we need more women to step up and run for office to become leaders locally, statewide and nationally. The Unconventional Women event today focused on just that. Featuring Speaker Pelosi, Senator Boxer, Marie Wilson, Donna Brazile and many more amazing women and sponsored by a wide range of exciting organizations including The Women's Campaign, The White House Project, Forum Foundation, Latina Initiative, and Women's Voices, Women Vote.

When Speaker Pelosi first took the stage, it was as if a historic moment was happening. Every person in the house stood and cheered for her and her achievement. It lasted quite a while as we all knew we were seeing someone special before us. She spoke about what it was like to be the first woman party leader in the history of our nation, meeting behind closed doors with the president, vice president and other party leaders and how she felt as if all of the suffragettes were sitting there with her. She spoke about her new book, Know Your Power and how she learned to give herself credit and pull strength from within to become a stronger leader. "We have a situation - America desperately needs many more women