Dear John, 

 

Yesterday, Senate Democratic Leader Jen Shilling announced her retirement after 20 years in the legislature. Sen. Shilling is the longest serving female leader in Wisconsin history. Last week, Rep. Chris Taylor announcement that she is retiring from the Assembly after 9 years of service. 

 

I had the pleasure of serving alongside both Chris and Jen in the Assembly. Both are trailblazers, women's rights defenders, and hardworking, skilled lawmakers who put their constituents first. Their leaving the capitol is a loss for Wisconsin. 

Women are still underrepresented at every level, in politics and in positions of power generally. This has real consequences for Wisconsinites -- for instance, Republican legislative leaders are now trying to restrict abortion due to the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, these same GOP officials ignore the lack of paid family/medical leave, the poverty wages of too many caregivers, and the threats to healthcare workers -- all problems that disproportionately affect women. 

 

I want girls to have the same opportunities as boys. I want them to see themselves in leadership roles. And I want our legislature to enact policies that advance gender equality. None of that will happen without women at the table and Democrats in power.

 

That's why I've spent countless hours over the last 20 years working to help elect Democratic women to office - hosting fundraisers, leading candidate trainings, knocking on doors, phone banking, and raising money. We need to build progressive power around the state, to win a Democratic legislative majorities where women are represented in leadership. Women lifting up other women is powerful -- that's been my calling for two decades, as a political leader and community volunteer -- but I need your help to succeed. 

 

Can you chip in $3, $14, or $27 to help our campaign? When I am elected to the State Senate, I will have even more opportunities to help make this world a better, more equitable place for our kids. 

 

Yours for equality,   

 

 

P.S. Here's a picture of my family at the Women's March in January (before our youngest daughter was born). Let's make sure these girls know their voice matters! Make a contribution in honor of a great woman in your life today, and drop me an email to tell me about her.