Shaheen Full of Hope at EMILY’s List
Photos by Caroline Bridges
EMILYSLIST
New Hampshire Union Leader
Aoife Connors
Boston University Washington News Service
Jan. 18, 2009
WASHINGTON – While walking from her office in the Dirksen Senate Office Building to the Capitol to cast a vote recently, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., got lost in the basement. Speaking at an EMILY’s List luncheon Sunday, the new senator received a resounding cheer when she declared “the building was clearly laid out by a group of men.”
Shaheen, one of several women honored at the luncheon, thanked EMILY’s List supporters and said “without you, I would not be here today.” EMILY’s List is a political action group that supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates and campaigns to mobilize women voters.
Women bring their life experiences to the government table and this is so important, Shaheen said. “Let’s celebrate and have a great time but then let’s get to work.”
Last week Shaheen introduced her first piece of legislation, to improve health care for New Hampshire veterans, she told the packed Ballroom at the Washington Hilton. She added that along with her Senate colleagues, she would make pay equity a reality because women deserve better and the country can do better.
Defeated in 2002 for the Senate by Republican John Sununu, Shaheen said the phone never stopped ringing after the result. Ellen R. Malcolm, founder of the EMILY’s List, would not take no for an answer and persuaded her to run again, Shaheen said.
Joan Jacobs from Portsmouth, N.H., said she “spent $250 for my ticket and I was so glad to spend it.” Jacobs said she has worked for Shaheen for the past year “and working 100 percent on politics. Shaheen will bring progressive change both domestically and internationally to our country.”
Lynn Prosten, a member of the majority council of EMILY’s List, said, “Shaheen is an articulate and thoughtful senator who is going to represent all U.S. women’s issues.”
Besides Shaheen, other celebrated speakers at the luncheon were Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, Gov. Janet Napolitano, nominated to be secretary of Homeland Security, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, nominated to be secretary of State.
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