This is the beginning of the holiday time of the
year. I wish you and yours a Joyous Thanksgiving as the first in this
winter celebrations.
Because Thanksgiving is in the season of gratitude, I wanted
to send you a quick message in acknowledgment and celebration of this historic
moment for women leaders.
“First they marched. Then they ran. Now they’ve won.” (USA
Today, Nov. 7, 2018) says it all! Here are a few facts for you to relish:
? Women surpassed the current record
of 107 voting members of the House and Senate with a total of 118 - and
counting.
? The House will have the
largest number of freshmen women of color with at least 11 new members elected.
? 13 women have been elected to
the Senate so far.
? Nine women were elected governor,
matching a record set in 2004.
? Firsts: Native American
women, Muslim women, female senator from Tennesee and Arizona, Hispanic women
representing Texas, woman governor of South Dakota, 153 LGBT male and females
and first openly gay legislator in Kansas (preliminary stats as of Nov. 7).
How exciting, and important, it is to have a
legislature that looks more like America than ever before! It is not only a
question of gender, but of reaching more balance in masculine and feminine
leadership.
"We didn’t launch this campaign because I thought I was
special or unique or better than anyone else," said Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez, NY, youngest woman elected to Congress in an historic upset.
"We launched this campaign because in the absence of anyone giving a clear
voice on the moral issues of our time, then it is up to us to voice them."
Congratulations to all women who ran, won, and supported
this record-breaking election. Let’s keep it up!
Be courageous - Dare 2 Lead!
“I believe in the power of
women to make change! Step into your own power as a woman and a leader.”
~~Linda Patten