John, I am honored to share that I've been named the new president of EMILYs List.
The stakes of this year's elections couldn't be higher, but I have spent my entire career taking on tough fights in Democratic politics, no matter how hostile the landscape. I began my work right here at EMILYs List, where I gained a deep understanding of the barriers women — and particularly women of color — face when they step up to run. EMILYs List taught me that to make progressive change, first and foremost, we have to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot, from coast to coast. And over the years, I have seen firsthand that through smart work and sheer grit, we can change the face of power.
Before returning to EMILYs List in 2021, I spent nearly a decade working at all levels of campaigns, all over the country. I packed up my condo just days after my wedding and moved west to run a U.S. Senate campaign in the Las Vegas desert. I went to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee with a six-week old baby, where I led the most diverse independent expenditure team in the committee's history — a team that deployed a $90 million paid media strategy resulting in more than 40 Democratic House seat pickups.
To put it plainly, John, I've never shied away from a tough fight. Whenever I'm faced with an opportunity to work towards a better future for our country and our kids, I've always answered, "where do I sign up?"
There is a fire of outrage in women everywhere since Roe v. Wade was overturned and Republicans enacted abortion bans all across the country. Women are rising up to say, we will not be controlled by politicians who know nothing about our bodies and care less about our lives. This is the fight EMILYs List is built for, and our work to elect more women everywhere is the answer. After all, it was another generation of pissed-off women that founded this organization to do just that nearly 40 years ago.
As I take on this new role, I am committed to growing our engagement with younger, more diverse women who will bring underrepresented perspectives to all levels of government. I look forward to serving our pro-choice community with tenacity and integrity.
Thank you for being with me in this fight,
Jessica
Jessica Mackler (she/her/hers)
President, EMILYs List
