Women, Politics & Money: How Female Candidates are Changing the Game

I recently read an interesting article on the growing power of women to fundraise - especially women in the United State Senate. As a fundraiser, I found this article to be very true and quite on point. I'm excited to see the number of women in the Senate reach 20 and hope to see it reach 25 with the close of the 2014 elections. 

Raising money is one of the most difficult tasks for political candidates and it's probably the most important. Candidates need money to hire staff, open an office and take on the day-to-day tasks needed to win an elections. Phone banking, door knocking, sign posting, polling - to name a few - are not free yet are more than necessary for any campaign hoping to win. 

Female Senators have come a long way since the early 1990s when asking people for money to run for office was taboo and a very difficult ask but one thing that is helping many women is their ability to gauge female support. Just this weekend, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren sent an e-mail on behalf of Texas state Senator Wendy Davis who is running for Governor in Texas. Although Warren isn't from Texas and Davis won't be joining her in the U.S. Senate even if she does win, she clearly sees the significance of helping a friend out. The following is an excerpt of Warren's e-mail to prospective donors. 

"Six months later, our champion Wendy is running for governor of Texas. She's not afraid of a tough fight, and neither are we."

Remembering Sandy Hook's Vicki Soto

As a former teacher, I can't seem to let go of the idea that Victoria Soto did what so many teachers in our country and world would have done. She protected her children because she loved them. She gave her life for the young people she spent nearly every day of the week with. She didn't think twice and she followed her heart. At 27, she made a decision most 27 year-olds can't imagine making.

It is my sincere belief that teachers are some of the most amazing, selfless contributors in our society. We can never thank them enough for the countless hours they give to our nation's youth and the invaluable sacrifices they make to ensure the next generation is prepared to carry the torch. 

This blog was created to cover women in politics throughout the world but I couldn't help but take the time to write about a woman that I believe is not only a leader but a shero in every regard. An entire year has passed since the Sandy Hook tragedy. Like most people, I remember where I was when the news broke. I remember talking to my twin sister and both of us in tears. It is my hope that we never forget the lives lost and the work we must do to ensure this type of tragedy ceases to exist.