| Final Week in Review
December 22, 2006  CONGRATULATE THE FIRST FEMALE SPEAKER
On January 4, 2007, Rep. Nancy Pelosi will be sworn in as the first female Speaker of the House, making history as the Democratic Party returns to the majority in Congress. Pelosi will become the highest-ranking woman to serve in government in American history. Join us in congratulating Ms. Pelosi on this historic achievement and celebrate our new Democratic majorities by sending the Speaker a message on her first day! Congratulate the First Female Speaker - Sign the card today. Sign up to have your name counted and your community represented. Because of your hard work in every corner of our country, Democrats will return to congressional leadership, and will be led for the first time in our country's history by a woman. On January 4th, we'll collect messages sent from around the country to the new Speaker. Our female staff at the DNC will be honored to carry your voices of congratulations to the Speaker's Chambers. Want to watch the opening day ceremonies, including the formal election of Speaker-designate Pelosi and the swearing in of our new Democratic members of Congress? Tune into C-SPAN on January 4th, starting at noon and be a part of history. DO-NOTHING GOP CONGRESS DISAPPOINTS AGAIN Following their defeat at the polls just a month ago, the GOP-led congress left Washington leaving significant unfinished business for the country. Over the last two years, the Republican-controlled Congress "worked a total of 103 days," which is "seven days fewer than the infamous 'Do-Nothing Congress' of 1948." [Washington Post, 12/8/06]. Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (CA) has laid out the Democrat's aggressive plan for the new 110th Congress. "The Republicans never miss an opportunity, to miss an opportunity" said Pelosi as the GOP exited town without taking care of the people's business. Americans can be clear about where Democrats plan to take the Congress when they are in control. Starting January 4th, things will change. Democrats are ready to lead and prepared to govern in a fair and open way to promote a new direction for all Americans. The Democratic House Leadership has laid out a principled, aggressive plan for the first 100 legislative hours that reflects the promises made to the American people during the election cycle. Democrats will raise the minimum wage, make college more accessible, make health care more affordable, promote stem cell research, roll back subsidies to big oil, and protect Social Security. BUSH CONTINUES THE WAR ON WOMEN Despite studies and research which show the effectiveness of contraception and family planning matter in preventing unplanned pregnancies, President Bush has appointed anti-contraception physician Eric Keroack as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Populations Affairs, a position that guides nearly $283 million in U.S. birth control funding. Keroack is a known "abstinence-only" hardliner with a demonstrated history of opposing contraceptive use and should NOT be left in charge of US family planning policies and programs. Bush's appointment of Keroack did not require Senate approval but our voices can still be heard on this issue! Several women's health organizations have organized petition drives to tell HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt that this appointment is unacceptable. Learn more about the appointment and the petition efforts at the National Organization for Women and Planned Parenthood of America. BUT SOME HEALTH CARE NEWS TO CELEBRATE Emergency contraception (EC) is now available behind pharmacy counters without a prescription for women 18 and older. Because of the time-sensitive nature of EC, over-the-counter access is crucial to its effective use. To learn more about the availability of EC and other health-related details, visit Womenshealth.gov DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY HOUSE PARTIES In celebration of the Democrats taking back the House and Senate we are asking people to host a "Majority Party" during the first week of January. You can make your New Year's Eve party a Majority Party, you can bring people together the night of January 4th (swearing-in day) to celebrate the new Democratic Congress, or you can plan your event for the weekend of the 6th - it's up to you. The point of these parties is social -- to bring Democrats together to celebrate change and send the message to the media and the Republicans that we know we are the majority in America. Planning your event is simple and easy using our online events tool, and we'll make sure you have supporting materials emphasizing what the Democratic majority means for our country. Get started with your party here. LOOKING AHEAD: WOMEN VOTERS AND 2008 Post-election polling released by Emily's List gives women leaders much to consider as we move forward into the 2008 Presidential Election Cycle. Conducted under the 'Women's Monitor' polling project, Emily's List worked with Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group to look at factors driving key subgroups of voters in 2006 and identify trends this may suggest for 2008. The data is available for your review and study - and can be downloaded to share in print or slideshow format at your next gathering of women and party leaders. Visit www.emilyslist.org for more information on the Women's Monitor. Special attention should be given to their findings on 'Bush defectors' which were heavily women voters. The polling also suggests that the Democratic Party's ability to communicate our basic values improved our standing with voters! YOU can be credited for helping to spread the Democratic message to women voters through our 50-state strategy programs and TAKE SIX in 06 grassroots efforts. DEMOCRATS TAKING THE LEAD DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: LEADING THE NATION'S GOVERNORS. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has been named the 2007 Chair of the Democratic Governor's Association (DGA), the first female to hold that position in the DGA's History. Gov. Sebelius intends to strengthen the DGA's role as a clearinghouse for best practices in the states. "It's been my experience that good policy equals good politics. And I expect that to be a hallmark of my leadership as DGA Chair." Read more about Sebelius on the DNC blog. Sebelius joins Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who is leading the National Governor's Association this cycle and is also the first woman to lead the NGA. Read previous coverage of Napolitano's appointment here. IN THE STATES: WOMEN CONTINUING TO LEAD Pennsylvania: A recount in a key state legislative race not only makes Barbara McIlvaine Smith the winner in Pennsylvania's 156th House district (by 23 votes!) but brings the balance of power in the State House to the Democratic Party. Democrats now hold a one seat advantage in the chamber, bringing Democratic leadership back after a 12 year gap. However, Republicans are seeking a recount of the 156th House race and that will likely occur in the coming days. Congratulations to McIlvaine Smith who won a district held by Republicans for 30 years and to all the women who increased the numbers of females running and serving in Pennsylvania. Maryland: When Baltimore mayor Martin O'Malley takes the oath of office for the Governorship of Maryland, Sheila Dixon, current Baltimore City Council President, takes over the mayoral office. Soon to be Mayor Dixon joins Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin as women serving as chief executive of major cities. Connecticut: State Representative Diana Urban will return to the State Legislature in Hartford, but as a Democrat. Joining other women state legislators who switched parties this year, Urban indicated the switch has been on her mind for some time. "I wasn't feeling the love" said Urban. Diana, we hear you and welcome to the Party! New Hampshire: When legislators return to the statehouse in January, women will be in several historic positions. Sen. Sylvia Larsen will serve as State Senate President while Rep. Terie Norelli takes the Speaker's chair and Rep. Mary Janne Walner will serve as House Majority Leader. When Presidential candidates visit New Hampshire in the coming months, they will find a strong legislative leadership team waiting to representing women's voices across the state. Hawaii: When the State Legislature convenes in January, a woman will lead a chamber for the first time in state history. Sen. Colleen Hanabusa has been named State Senate President. CLOSING NOTES: THE DNC WOMEN'S VOTE CENTER FROM THE EDITOR: This is my final edition of the Week in Review as Executive Director of the Women's Vote Center at the DNC. I want to extend my personal thanks to the thousands of women leaders in the states with whom the Women's Vote Center partnered during Democratic Voices trainings, the March for Women's Lives, the 04 and 06 elections (and every one in between). As our beloved Ann Richards said "The roosters may crow, but the hens deliver the goods." So very true. You deliver each and every day and I have been blessed to tell your stories of leadership and success. I began my tenure at the WVC in 2003 as a DNC member representing the Young Democrats of America, as a voice for the grassroots. The 50-state partnership has changed our Party and included so many who had not been heard before. My deepest appreciation goes to Ann Lewis and Traci Siegel who afforded me this opportunity to serve my Party and who took a vision for women's political leadership and turned it into a vehicle for change and action. We are all indebted to you both. SEASONS GREETINGS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR: It has been our pleasure to serve the women's community with this weekly newsletter since 2001. Our goal has been to equip you to be effective leaders in the Democratic Party by sharing news on policy and emerging issues, candidates and elections as well as research and data on women voters. In 2007, the Week in Review will continue in a revamped format and with a new editor but still with the focus of providing you the critical news and exciting tools to be effective and active in our Party. Until then, we hope you are able to celebrate the holiday season with those dearest to you and to truly celebrate the new opportunities for leadership you helped achieve for our Party. | 
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