Amazing binders full of women

Here it is 20 hours after the second presidential debate and I can’t get that phrase out of my head—“binders full of women”.  Even after I get past the bizarre image this creates, I can’t get over the tone of amazement in Mitt’s voice.  There are so MANY competent and even exemplary women who could fill governor’s cabinets, or be appointed as department heads! Imagine that!

If only he had known about WAND . . .  a veritable treasure trove of amazing women!  And the national office is in Massachusetts, no less.

At the national board meeting in September, we welcomed new members to both the Education Fund Board and WAND, Inc. (the 501 c4 branch of WAND).  It was a room full of amazing and competent women. Of the thirteen new members, ten are state legislators.

The energy of these new women was electric. They know first hand the challenge of campaigning and they brought their knowledge to the discussion of the WAND PAC. Our PAC has a small treasury but we are able to connect women with other funders and arrange briefings with experts on security issues and training on the media.

If I were to create a binder,  here’s a thumbnail sketch about just a few of our new members:

Rep. Karen Camper of TN   Karen was influential in helping both of Tennessee’s Republican senators, Corker and Alexander to see the importance of New START and vote for its ratification.

Sen. Lena Taylor of WI   Lena was one of the Wisconsin 14 – the senators who left the state to prevent a quorum for a vote on a union busting bill.

Asm. Maggie Carlton of NV    Maggie introduced legislation to protect renters who had paid rent and then found themselves evicted because the out-of-state landlords were being foreclosed.

Dianne Valentin, President of Georgia WAND   Dianne is a political scientist with training in international affairs and national defense.  She is a consultant for small businesses.  Georgia WAND is very active in voter registration and education.

Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez of MD   Ana is an IT Systems Engineer who worked for NASA for 10 years. Some of her code is on the Hubble!  She is the first Salvadoran ever elected to state office.

Next time you are in a bind, Mitt, call on WAND.  We’ve got an incredible array of talented, competent, dynamic women for the job.

Here we are determining how to divide our small amount of PAC money among so many worthy candidates.