Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand "Too Many American Women Are Sitting On The Sidelines"
Has the women's movement stalled, and are we still fighting the same fights that women have been fighting since the 70's, when the women's movement first really moved into the forefront?
Yes, claims Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. And according to her, that needs to change.
"Too many women are sitting on the sidelines today, and are not getting engaged. Many women think their votes don't matter. That couldn't be further from the truth," Gillibrand stated in a conference call with bloggers. "Women are the economic engines of this country, and the key to economic security and rebuilding the middle class."
To address the inequities, both in Congress and in the current day-to-day economic situation, the New York Democrat has introduced a new initiative called "Off The Sidelines." The website, which hosts tools to help women get better involved in leading in their communities, provides stories of women who have been able to get more involved in pushing the issues important to women -- equal pay, equal representation, the ability to both work and parent, and how to engage in the greater conversations shaping our country.
"Women have a lot of opinions that should be heard, and life experiences that should inform this debate," said Gillibrand. "Without those experiences life would be much poorer. Women must know that they must be heard, and they must know that their country will suffer without them."
"It's really about making your voice heard and about being a leader on an issue that you are passionate about," said Gillibrand spokesperson Todd Beeton.
One of her many ambitious goals? An attempt to expand the number of female Senators in Congress to 50, winning half of the seats to represent half of the population.
