I’ve held a lot of titles in my day. Commander, Entrepreneur, Veteran, Congresswoman…but my favorite is, of course, “Mom.”

When this picture was taken back in 2019, Violette was just eight years old. I wanted to teach her by example that women can do anything — raise kids, take on demanding careers, and make a positive impact on the world. I wanted to show her that she never has to compromise on her dreams.

Through all the ups and downs of the last eight years, one thing hasn’t changed: the joy I get from watching my daughter become a bright, confident, and conscientious young woman.

But as we celebrate another International Women’s Day, I can’t help but be angry with the leaders who’ve failed America’s women and girls so terribly these past few years. My daughter and her friends are growing up with fewer opportunities than I had, in a world that constantly tells them they’re not good enough.

It’s our job to claw back those stolen freedoms so our daughters and granddaughters can focus on achieving their dreams, but frankly, John, we have our work cut out for us.

I’m going to fight like hell to make sure my daughter inherits a country that lifts her up instead of holding her back, but that isn’t a one-woman endeavor. Can I count on you to pitch in $15 so I can retake my seat in Congress and get back to the hard, unglamorous work of building a better future for my daughter and yours?

Together,
Elaine Luria