Dear Friend,

Happy Women's History Month! This month we are celebrating the immense contributions that women in New Mexico and across the country have made to our history, culture, and economy. This last year, in honor of Women’s History Month, I was proud to recognize incredible women across our district with our Damas de Esperanza award, celebrating their work and contributions to our communities.

Like these Damas de Esperanza, many women across our district and New Mexico have shattered glass ceilings and made incredible contributions to our communities. For example, Mary Coon Walters became the first woman in New Mexico to be a district judge in 1972, going on to become the first female New Mexico Supreme Court Justice in 1984.

And, Concha Ortiz y Pino demonstrated her determination and leadership when she became the youngest American woman ever elected to a state office when she was elected to the State Legislature. Women like Concha and Mary have done so much to advance women’s leadership in our state, paving the way for women like myself to advocate for communities across New Mexico in public office.

But our work continues – since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, many states have enacted restrictive legislation limiting access to reproductive health care. Every person should have the right to make their most personal health care decisions without interference from the government. That's why I was proud to cosponsor the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe into federal law, protect health care professionals to provide lifesaving medical care without fear of persecution, and protect our rights to control our own bodies. But our work is not done yet, and that’s why I’m fighting alongside my Democratic colleagues to defend our reproductive rights for every New Mexican in Congress every day.

We still have a lot of work to do. As we celebrate Women’s History Month and honor the incredible women across New Mexico and the nation who have helped shape our nation and communities, I’m proud to be one link in the generations of female leaders past and present who have advocated for women and our rights. And, together we will continue to lead, innovate, and build a better nation for generations to come.

As always, if I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my staff at (505) 346-6781. If you’d like to keep up to date on what I am working on in Washington on behalf of New Mexico’s First Congressional District and our communities, you can subscribe to our newsletter here, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sincerely,



Melanie A. Stansbury
Member of Congress