The 2016 election cycle will be remembered for many things, some of it very divisive, and some of it very ugly, particularly as related to women. But there were some bright spots in Tuesday's election with women making history:
- In Missouri, Robin Smith became the first African American woman nominee by a major party for statewide office.
- Nationally, there will now be more women in the United States Senate than ever before (21) and the number of women of color in the Senate went from one to four.
- The House of Representatives will now include its first Indian-American woman and Vietnamese-American woman to serve in the chamber.
- A Somali-American Muslim woman was elected to a state legislature for the first time in American history.
- Kellyanne Conway became the first woman to successfully run a presidential campaign.
- And, of course Hillary Clinton continued to put a thousand cracks in the highest glass ceiling as the first female nominee of a major political party and the winner of the popular vote in Tuesday's general election.
If anything, despite some progress, this election underscored there is much more work to do to reach gender equity in public leadership.To that end, I believe firmly that now is the time for all Americans to unite and tackle the unfinished work of advancing gender equity and opportunity. I hope you will join me.
In just a few weeks, we will host two of America’s most distinguished female leaders to discuss the landscape for women following the 2016 election.Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, America’s first woman Secretary of State, and Ann Compton, Legendary ABC News White House Correspondent, will engage, inspire, and empower us to work for change.
To those who have already supported the luncheon by reserving your seat, thank you! We look forward to seeing you there. Remaining seating for this year’s Will Work for Change Annual Luncheon is extremely limited. Don’t miss your opportunity to join us for this inspiring event as we go into 2017 resolved to continue to work for change.
Will Work for Change Annual Luncheon
Featuring Dr. Madeleine K. Albright and Ann Compton
Friday, December 2, 2016
11:30 AM
Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center Exhibit Hall
If you can’t join us in person, please consider a donation to support Women’s Foundation work at this critical moment.