When emilys list first started there were only two women in the u. S. Senate. Now there are 26 of us. You allowed so many more women to hold elected office and that made our nation better. They have the power to make a difference. I want to say thank you to Ellen Malcolm for getting this Party Started and im so appreciative ofyour vision. Thank you for starting an organization that brings women together and making this a better place. To stephanie, i am so grateful for your amazing leadership. You have the ability to see what is possible. Thank you for your courage. We will make sure more women are at the table then ever before. Especially more women of color arerunning for office than when it. Id like to see women like me become elected officials in the us in every corner of this country you helped elect new democratic prochoice women to the congress of the United States. So much has been accomplished in these 35years and so much more needs to be done. In 35 years i want to see women in thewhite house. We have at least with 51 percent. We continue to give women a voice at the table. We celebrate emilys list but i thank the many members and what a difference it will make when more women are elected to office. Thank you so much emilys list for everything that you have done, for your support of thewomen. You have forever changed the face of american politics. I am emily. I am emily. Because you believed it. I want to say a big thank you to every Single Person. None of this would have happened without the dedication of our staff. We are emily. I want to see women make a difference in this country. I am emilys list to my core. Good afternoon and welcome to our we are emily 2020. Now, this wasnt exactly how we had planned on celebrating 35 years of igniting change but dont worry. The gala, the Chicken Dinner and the balloon drop will just have to wait but the good news is you are still going to get the same amazing tories and information while wearing whatever you want. And eating whatever you want so grab your copy or a cocktail, no judgment here and together we will celebrate these 35 years of emilys list. And we would not be here without the women who started it all. Especially our founder, cochair and president for 25 years, the incredible gearless Ellen Malcolm. She is emily to her core. We are so grateful to her and for all of you for making her vision a reality area some of you have been with emilys list from the very beginning, for the whole 35 years and some of you joined our community but all of you are absolutely critical to our continued success nowand in the future. Before i go any further, there are a couple of things i want to remember as we do this work and spend this time together. First, we have lost some giants in the last year and just last month or last week the great congressman john lewis who is lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda today. And last october congressman Elijah Cummings was lost we all still feel everyday. We miss them both terribly and we are so grateful to them. We should all be looking right now to their example, the ones they sat with their lifelong fight forcivil rights. And the second, we should all keep in our minds and our hearts the pain and loss of so many who are suffering as a result of the covid19 pandemic. And continue to thank all of the people who are doing incredible lifesaving work on the front lines for all of us. Especially the union workers, the teachers and nurses and grocers who are holding this country together right now. What is more clear than ever is that Leadership Matters and the work we do has never been more important. The work of electing strong prochoice democratic Womens Office at every level is far from done. We need made the decision a few years ago to expand our state and local work and thank goodness we did everywhere we looked in this country right now we are seeing governors and state legislators and mayors making life and death decisions from how to handle covid19 to how to support black lives matter and to confront the deepseated racism in our laws and institutions and while all of this is happening we are seeing Donald Trumps Republican Party go to incredible lengths to keep people from voting across this country. These are big challenges that we are facing in this election cycle. But as always, this unity is ready to meet them. And what better way to start this conversation about how to do that than with an overview of ourfederal and gubernatorial races. The women who are going to walk us through all of this right now is the one who has a huge responsibility for the baby historic victory we all had in 2018 when we elected enough emilys list women who flipped the u. S. House. Karen is our Vice President of the Gubernatorial Campaign which means she oversees the recruitment and support of the campaigns of every emilys list woman running for governor, u. S. Senate or the u. S. House. Under karens leadership are federal and Gubernatorial Team as tripled the number of prochoiceDemocratic Women governors in the country. In 2020 she has not only built out a strong house in program to ensure we dont lose any of our great newly elected members of congress but her team has also been heavily involved with 24 of the 30 d triple c red to blue pickup opportunities to expand the House Majority. I just want to say that one more time. 24 of the 30 red to blues are emilys list women. This is extraordinary and a first for emilys list. And of course karen does all of this with an amazing team of 13 staffers, a very understanding wife and a very cool twoyearold daughter named maggie im sure is a future governorherself. So karen im so glad to have you with us today. Your team is awesome, just plain awesome. Thank you so much stephanie and good afternoon everyone. Before we begin i wanted to note the changes to the program. You may have noticed this time was originally slated for our panel withhouse members. That would be congresswoman Lucy Mcfadden and congresswoman debbie powell. Due to changes in the schedule were unable to make it today but you will still have the opportunity to hear from some of those members tomorrow so we hope you can join us and thank youfor your flexibility. Before stephanie the parts i want to go back and thank her again for her leadership both for that generous introduction and her consistent leadership. This work, the work of emilys list which is so important would not be possible without the leadership of Stephanie Schriock whose our fearless leader. We are happy to have her because as we celebrate our 30th anniversary i cannot think of a time where stephanie and emilys list are needed more. As stephanie mentioned i have a young daughter, a year into trumps presidency i became a new mom and after that, like so many parents i found a daily darkness of the Trump Administration even harder, particularly at night when i put my daughter to bed i would think about the fights at the border and inhumanity of the gop and everyone who stood by as families were torn apart and my mind would wander to children across the country who for one reason or another have an unstable future and a certain panic would settle in and i would say to myselfwhat can i do . And the answer was always easy. Go to work because i know that every day we are helping get hundreds and hundreds of women one step closer to having the power to change this country. But we are only able to do all of this because of the enormousgenerosity of so many of you. Thank you for everything you do. It is truly a collective effort to elect women and make our country better. We have to defeat donald trump this year but hopefully our president , our future President Biden will also lead a congress to get our country back on track and to do that we have to protect the house and lift the senate and take the gavel away from mitchmcconnell. The first step in flipping the senate is protecting our incumbents. 2 emilys list women are up for reelection, senators jean shaheen in New Hampshire and tina smith in minnesota. You have to make sure both of these women when and we cannot take anything for granted. New hampshire is a perennial swing state and what i always tell people is remember in 2016 maggie had been won by 1000 votes. Republican primary here is chaos between two deeply flawed candidates. Donald duke and colorado courtney meadows, both will be a rubberstamp for donald trump and while the republicans are fighting amongst themselves jean shaheen is already on air reminding voters of her legacy of fighting for New Hampshire families including everything she has done on behalf of the opioid crisis. In minnesota tina smith is out for reelection again for her first full term. She is running against the far right wing activist and radio host jason lewis who candidate angie greg defeated last cycle. However minnesota is a purple state and donald trump has made minnesota a top target of his campaign. Earlier this month be booked 14. 1 million in television time. Thats the fifthlargest expenditure of any state in that timeframe. Our team is working with both of these campaigns to make sure they have their resources and infrastructure to win. Now, the next step in flipping the senate is to flip at least four feet from red to blue and emilys list has endorsed for women who can do just that. So im going to go through them in alphabetical order. So starting with iowa, in iowa emilys list is proud to stand with teresa greenfield, a farm kid with farm values and with the help of emilys list and an investment from women, teresa handily won her primary and is ready to take on jody. She was elected with a promise to make washingtons special interests real. The reality is the only people jody has made it will is iowans, she voted with donald trump 90 percent of the time and supports fossil fuel reveal is to run the epa even after his disastrous policies have devastated iowas farming community. And after her last break the sec made ernst pay the largest penalty of any iowa politician after her campaign acceptedhundreds of thousands of dollars. And earlier this year the ag also reported that ernst potentially illegally coordinated her campaign. The lack of bipartisanship and iowans and issues make jodi ernst vulnerable. She is the third most unpopularsenator in the United States. The first is actually Susan Collins and we will get there in a moment. Recently politico has moved this race to a tossup and its not because jodi ernst is flawed which she is, its because we have an exceptional candidate in teresa greenfield. Youll have the opportunity to hear from her tomorrow as well as other challenges. These women are all incredible but what i always say about teresa is you have to meet her. Her authenticity and hardworkinggroups are what connector to every day iowans. Teresa grew up on a farming site in the 1980s and as she will tell you there are no boy jobs or girl jobs, just jobs needing to be done. At just 24 she was pregnant with her second son when i Union Electrical lineman was killed on the job. Teresa rebuilt a life for her and her boys. She initially supported her family with Social Security benefits but eventually worked her way to president of a real estatedevelopment company. Every public pool done since the june primary including one by emilys list shows teresa greenfield beating jodyherbst in iowa. This race is not only key to flipping the senate but a strong top of the ticket helps the contested house races and three of the four house races at emilys list women as thenominee. Emilys list women will win in iowa this year. And the proof is in the pudding. Teresa greenfield raised a whopping 6 million in the Second Quarter of thisyear. That is the most of any democrat running for senate in iowa ever. So much of her success is because of the emilys list communities a special thank you to all of you have supported teresa and allof our candidates. In kansas we are proud to meet with physician and champion for Womens Health doctor Barbara Boyan read if elected doctor boy a would be the first democratic woman to represent campus in the senate and their first democrat to win a senate seat since 1930 two. If there is one thing i want you to remember about this race that candidate is in play. We approved the strong women can win, even in typically red states when voters are looking for common sense leadership. That is how laura kelly one in 2018 and were going to do it again barbara boy a and if there is a time where we needed medical professionals in congress, its now. Barbara has served in the Kansas Legislature since 2009 he built a reputation as an independent voice willing to stand up to anyone to do what is right. She fought for education funding, Affordable Healthcare and she works with then state senator laura kelly to put an end to the disastrous brownback tax experiment. Last quarter arbor raised one point 4 million more than the entire republican field. The republican primary is currently numerous candidates including failed gubernatorial candidate chris kovar, conservative congressman Roger Marshall and. Significant outcry spending has already come into canvas because republicans are worried about barbara boy a who has been on the air for weeks laying the positive ground for her candidacy. A poll done by civics in june showed barbara tied with any of the republican candidates and joe biden with only leading candidates by 12 points. For reference donald trump one candidates in 2016 by 21 point three of i will say it again. Regardless of who wins the republican primary, kansas is in play. Moving to the next slide. Lets get the next slide up. I apologize for the delay on this slide. There we go. So apologies again. Looking down to maine. There is so much exciting news to talk about but i want to first take a moment to celebrate how close we are to defeating Susan Collins. One of the deciding votes to put Brett Cavanaugh on the supreme court. At the beginning of the cycle , beating collins seemed like a long shot last quarter emilys list candidates sarah gideon, the democratic nominee was raised in eyepopping 8 million. Overall sarah gideon has raised 24 million to Susan Collins exceed riyadh fundraising advantage is impressive as is the overall money being raised in maine but its all because this race is winnable and we can beat Susan Collins. Susan collins and years building a brand as a bipartisan and independent but the reality is that susan is more interested in catering to special interests than mainers and her actions across the system and as i noted earlier Susan Collins is the most unpopular sitting us senator. In the dark purple state of maine devoted 94 percent of the time including on his judicial nominee. The reality is she can no longer afford to carry gary trumps water because she has met hermatch in sarah gideon. There are gideon is the main speaker of the house of representatives and a champion for womens families. Shes worked with the republican and democratic governors to fight for every day mainers. She stood up to governor page to pass legislation to combat the Opioid Epidemic and she worked with democratic governor janet mills whose standard of her coverage for low income mainers and she also extended access to healthcare for people with preexisting conditions, work to control the cost of prescription drugs and divided poverty tax relief for mainers. I vividly remember the day i first met sarah. It was back in october 2018 and we sat down over lunch in portland. She told me how she got involved in politics, the local party tried to recruit her husband so she ran instead and while she was thinking about running for the senate she articulated the ways she thought collins was failing maine. Her commitment was always to maine and making it a better state for her family. And while this race has garnered Significant National attention is focused for sarah as always remained on main and that is why she will beat Susan Collins. Part of the net last six public pool showed sarah gideon beating Susan Collins area however maine is also a purple state and republicans will foreverything they have into this race. Both of these campaigns have been on the airwaves since october and collins and her allies are now going very negative on sarah so we have to ensure she has what she needs to win riyadh thank you again to the many of you who supported sarah, for those of you have not met her yet i hope you can hear her speak tomorrow. Sheis truly wonderful. Last but certainly not least, texas. Overall texas is a huge priority for emilys list and democrats down the ballot that this april so we need a strong ticket and we have that. Mj is a combat veteran, working mom and a texan. During one of her three tours of duty in afghanistan, her helicopter was shot down by the taliban read her response that they earned her the purple heart and the distinguished flying cross of valor for what she did to save lives. When she was no longer able to fly and barred from serving in Ground Combat because she was a woman she petitioned congress to change the rules and she one. So mj hagar knows its a tough fight and she is ready to take on the gop senator john cornyn in an almost twentyyear politician. With the help of emilys list and women vote mj defeated the field of a dozen candidates and insured the democratic nomination and in the weeks following her victory she raised 1 million in just seven days and kicked off a virtual statewide tour to build upon her Diverse Coalition support from every corner of the state. And john important is also vulnerable here. A poll commissioned by emilys list shows corning sitting at 42 percent to and jays 35. This is very similar to poles we saw two years ago between ted cruz. Even worse, or even better for us is cornyns pathetically low favorable rating at just 27 percent. If this race is starting in a place similar to the senate race, mj is in a good spot and the sea is in play. We all know texas has been saving over the last cycle. The majority of men have come from senators with high densities of collegeeducated voters moving towards democrats. Plus new registrants for young people of color and those are also the same demographics that you would expect to turn out in larger numbers in a president ial year by 2020. Were also seeing the Biden Campaign get their toe into texas and texas was included in their ad last month and poll after poll is shown by a healthy market margin by 78 point voters approved of trumps handling of the coronavirus and john cornyn has been the last step with donald trump every step of the way, even questioning earlier this month if children could be affected by the speech. Mjs personal story blasts john cornyns fight was the shifting electoral changes in texas give us a winning formula and again, we have to win. We have to senate race but half a dozen congressional seats and we didnt need to win just nine seats to flip the texas state house. As nj campaignsays dont sleep on texas. This is going to be a heckuva race. Looking off to the house id like to start with sry. It was a few months before the 2018 election and we were starting to see poling coming back better and better and more of our races with a clear path. Our fearless president stephanie had just finished a call with our leader the day before and we were gathering stephanies office for our weekly meeting with the federal team on our races. As the meeting was starting stephanie said shehad an update for us. Shes proceeded to tell us how the day before he had mailed leader policy at emilys list would deliver 23 with women to take back the house riyadh the collective response was okay. We were a little apprehensive but she was as always correct and we did it. We delivered the House Majority with women which led to the most diverse class in congress and we are now going to make sure every one of these women gets reelected. Our freshman member who moved here from tomorrow had a mulch was first term in congress. Office and immediately into the middle of a Budget Shutdown and as that went down they went into impeachment proceedings and a Global Pandemic. Our candidates have managed all of this while serving their constituents with the leadership and determination we come to know from them and theyve done it while building Strong Campaign teams and raising record sums of money. This is a good moment to highlight the candidate services we do at emilys list which really sets us apart from so many or the other organizations. Our Services Work is led by Regional Directors on the federal team who specialize in Campaign Management and fundraising. They work closely with advisers on the medications and digital team to evaluate races and help strengthen them. When i talk to candidates one of the things i always say to them is when you dont know who else to call you can call emilys list. We work handinhand with these campaigns to make sure they are utilizing best practices , candidates are being supported and races are in winning positions. From the first conversation we had with them to their last day in office we are right by their side. This department and our Company Teams are designed to navigate problems for our races and for example when the pandemic started in march we quickly before almost anyone else developed and delivered to campaigns guidance on communications, digital fundraising fields and management tools so their campaigns could move forward without missing a beat. This is what we do. So knowing that protecting the house would be a priority and they would require a Different Service we created a unique incumbent protection region at the beginning of the cycle. This team has done everything our Regional Directors do but was a special focus on the needs of our incumbents and the success has shown. Quarter after quarter emilys list women are some of the top frontline racers riyadh to name a few representativeb lot and raised 1. 4 million lastquarter alone. Charisse davis made 875,000. Both congresswoman lucy mcbeth and powell outraised their opponents or the Second Quarter in a row and representative katie porter raised a whopping 2. 5 million marking the fifth quarter in a row shes raised over 1million. Such numbers are one of the ways that our women are continuing to shine and positioning themselves to win in 2020 with our help. Heres other updates on the incumbent protection region. In new mexico to congresswoman small as on a rematch with state representative yvette carol who had a competitive plan. Women vote and ran with their partners to evaluate this primary. We ultimately invested in research and a direct mail program to uplift that because we believe she posed the smallest, getting yvette as a republican nominee is one step closer to reelection. So with that race is a rematch in 2018 and we are looking at rematches in iowa. Between cindy atkins and david young and in georgias fifth lucy mcbeth and karen handel and in virginia to between Elaine Gloria and scott taylor and potentially in florida 27 between donna and leah salazar. Maybe thesecandidates last year and we can beat them again. In floridas 26 emmy powell has drawn carlos gimenez, the mayor of miamidade county. Leadership positions during coven and his ability to raise money in large are taking his candidacy very seriously. Other places republicans have done well include leslie hunt , an army veteran in texas and ashley hinson, a local tv personality against abby and iowa one so all these races remain a priority. In oklahoma five publicans are still battling out their primaries is now gone to a runoff between terry yeast and stephanie feiss. Both rubberstamps for donald trump and similarly in kansas three congresswoman Charisse Davis is waiting for republican primaries to resolve itself before she knows she will run again and speaking of republican primaries larry took on Laura Underwood. She was unsuccessful in running for office over half a dozen times in illinois and republicans were so worried about having him as the nominee outside groups unsuccessfully spent against him and into races to keep on peoples radar. Susie lee and nevada three and minnesota 2. Both are well positioned but the nevada economy has been decimated since the pandemic and Thetrump Campaign is targeting minnesota. The cause of these factors i want to make sure people are paying attention to both of these races. These are a few updates from this region. I could talk all day about these spectacular women please feel free to ask more questions during the q and a. Coming up shortly. Because these women are doing so well we are also able to aggressively look at how pickups begin again this cycle. Im ecstatic. I want to make sure i havethe right slide for you all. There we go. Im ecstatic to report emilys list is running the table when it comes to health house pickups. The team of advisers i told you about also do recruitment and they set out early this cycle to leave no seat without a prochoice democratic woman as the nominee and because we work at every level of the balance when my team arts recruiting they are going to have a bench of eight local candidates to recruit. We work with them and we show it in state and meet with local leaders and we are working to get a group of women running for the best candidates. Because of that early work on the ground we recruited prochoice Democratic Women in 88 percent of the seats we initially targeted. As a result of this recruitment have paid off. Anthony said this earlier but its worth repeating. 24 of the 30 candidates on the red to blue program are emilys list women. And illsay that another way. Eight percent of the top targeted Work Opportunities are our candidates. But whats more, 18 of the 24 Republican House seats listed as top ones remain republican. They now have emilys list women as their nominee. This means the seats most likely to flip this year are going to be with emilys list women read emilys list today has endorsed a Diverse Group of 30 women running in red to blue seats for thehouse. I could talk again all day about these women ill have just a few highlights. Going to every corner of the country to win and we know women can run and win anywhere and we are laying out the mat to grow our numbers. Jill shoots raised over 800,000 last quarter to defeat republican and wagner and in indianas fifth Congressional District Christina Hale also outraised her republican opponent in this open seat it was just rated as an eighth most likely to flip seat national journal. She wins she would be the first to represent indiana in congress. There are currently three seats held by republicans that Hillary Clinton one in 2016 area all three seats have emilys list women. New york 24, pennsylvania 1 and Gina Ortiz Jones in texas 23. All these races are in play and all arewinnable. Their very first was with dana bolter. Outside groups have not benefited earlier in the past two cycles and they are now because they know data dana can win this is a race worth investing in and speaking of texas wendy davis who outraised 10 crews every quarter released a poll in a statistical at 46 percent. This is a district donald trump one by 10 points. And in texas 24 candidate valenzuela is now poised to make history as the first afro latino to go to congress. Emilys list took a big bat and went in early in abig way. Candace is a mother of two and a firsttime candidate. As the child herself she experienced homelessness and got scholarships to go to college and became aneducator for special Needs Children and a local school board member. Candace is the voice this District Needs and we will ensure she gets there. Candace won the competitive primary and an runoff with emilys list. We raisedher and help her build a winning team. Women ran the table here investing over 500,000 in mail and digital in this district leading up to that primary. And finally if i encourage you to meet jackie gordon. Jackie is an immigrant in the west indies and an army combat veteran, town councilwoman, former educator and a yogi and us as School Guidance counselor jackie used yoga to ground or chill students and now her campaign is hosting yoga for her supporters during this difficult time. Jackie is also going to be a favorite of voters in new yorks Second District. Emilys list was an early fan of jackie and after our endorsement 14 term incumbent peter king retired making this an openseat and even more winnable. All the women are on the red to blue program and in addition to the seats emilys list is also growing both our numbers and diversity in congress i playing the competitive democratic primary. These are Smart Investments or us as an organization is generally we can help elect these women and we dont have to run these races again. This is a reliably state democratic seats, held by ben wuhan who is running for the United Statessenate. Before going to Yale Law School she returned home to northern new mexico and its been a navigant for her community ever since, running a social Impact Law Firm preacher represents native american tribes, nonprofit organizations and Small Businesses. Emilys list endorsed early in this race. Issue as a priority for my team and with the campaign helped to raise money and independent exposing the ran the table partners to conduct programs. A program was three and 50,000 which helped her secure. Saeb beat six under the candidates to win with 43 of the vote. And with her likely going to conference and representative jack holland in new mexico first likely getting reelected, if we can reelect her in the Second District of new mexico, new mexico will have the largest all women of color house delegation in history to congress. These are the types of historic and monumental things we can do because of your support. Before we close and move to questions i want to talk ruefully about our work. The importance of executive leadership could not be more apparent than it is now during this Global Pandemic. There is no comparison between the failed leadership of Governor Brian Kemp and we all know it should have been stacy then executive Leadership Matters and women make exceptional leaders through 2020 is not a big cycle for governors but there is one race where the contract and leadership is stark and needs to be recognized especially during our conference and that is missouri. Former emilys list rising star in state Auditor Nicole Galloway is running to take on accidental governor. As the pandemic rages governor perkins has compared his role in fighting the pandemic did that of a casual observer. He has refused to wear a mask and in response the thread of schoolchildren contacting covid he said they will quote get over it. Understandably his job approval on coronavirus has dropped 15 points since april and is likely hurting his reelection. Nicole galloway is running to defeat perkins and electing her in november could literally save lives. In 2018 nicole ran statewide in missouri and won by double digits. As state auditor she has weeded out corruption and taken on both parties to return taxpayer dollars. If you are not connected with this campaign yet i strongly encourage you to do so. This is the type of leadership we all need and why its so important wire team is already looking ahead to 2022. In 2022 we have to make sure that governors laura Kelly Michelle Michelle Lujan grisham and Gretchen Whitmer get reelected but we also have states like arizona wisconsin ohio maryland and dozens more that well have open seats of republicans we can defeat. We are working closely with their state and local teams to build executive leadership and i cannot wait for this Time Next Year to tell you about all the amazing women to thank you all again for allowing me to share an overview of our federal gubernatorial work and to talk about her amazing candidates. I would love to answer questions now. Im going to go over here. The first question from charmaine, how does covid19 impact the candidates ability to fund raise and engage with voters . That is a fantastic question. Covid19 has impacted everyones ability to do anything but as we talked about early on our team has been here since day one to help the candidates navigate this pandemic and you will all recall the pandemic struck in march which was the last month of the first quarter. We were very worried about how candidates would come together but they came together very well and have set the groundwork and laying out a good quarter. Obviously candidates have impacted our Community Ability to communicate with people midfield but im very proud of how our campaign has pivoted because they are all moving forward in its hitting their fundraising goals and theyve been able to do so much because emily has done the work for them in developing the tools and the tactics to campaign in a digital and virtual state. The next question is from leslie. Leslie asks my friends and i want to show extra support to black women candidates because its so important, it really is especially this year. Who are the black women running who need our help . Im so glad someone asked that question because there are so many fantastic questions. At the health level i want to talk about our incumbents who we have endorsed and thats Laura Underwood and lucy macbeth georges vixen Johanna Hayes in connecticut. We are feeling very good about their reelection prospects but as they laid out earlier we wont take anything for granted so well make sure that all of them get elected. We have in addition to that endorsed five amazing women running as a house challenger. The first and will mention is Joyce Elliott in arkansas. This race is moving off the map adding to the pccc program. She has not had the race to take him on and i believe joyce is a former state senator and a teacher is the candidate that can do that. We have endorsed in the new yorks second Congressional District. Also endorsed Patricia Goodson and North Carolina. Patricia Timmons Goodson previously served on the nc state system and served in the civil rights division. She was also pointed to be a federal judge but had her appointment blocks by Mitch Mcconnell per day feel particularly invested in this race and we are going to show Mitch Mcconnell that we are sending packets and to washington one way or another. The seat was newly drawn in december as a Richard Hudson the republican here was elected in 2012. He is never had a competitive race since he was elected. That is done a fantastic job as a firsttime candidate putting together operations against him and shes on the d simple tree dccc. Shes a Law School Graduate and she is absolutely the type of voice that we need in congress right now. The other woman i have endorsed is Candice Valenzuela who i have talked about and a little bit more about that secret she is running texas 24 it. This is an open seat that republican representative Kenny Marchant retired last year. He is part of what we call the text of the switches the number of republican congressmen seeing the writing on the ball and understanding that texas is trending towards democrats and i believe can a march and won reelection in 2016 with significant double digits. In 2018 and an somewhat uncontested race he won by three points of this district is very quickly moving to dallas suburbs in the democrats direction and she is a phenomenal candidate. All of these women you can learn more about them on her webspace but i would echo the question because its so important we have their voice in congress particularly now with so many people in congress have not wanted to be in the shoes and they want wanted advocate for their Families Community and all of us so thank you for asking that question. The next question is virginia asked for those of us who cannot donate and now live in a safely blue state how can we help in what can we do . This is a fantastic question. We talked about earlier in the age of coronavirus all of our campaigns have transitioned transition to a Digital Space so its actually easier now than ever before to engage with these campaigns. If you cant make a direct donation thats understandable but you can still connect with the campaign. You can talk about them on social media. You can reach out to these campaigns and you can volunteer all of thats directly. A wonderful organizer is a great way to connect with voters. Its less intrusive than that phonecall on that knock on the door and you can do it from the comfort of your home and you can do it across the country. I would encourage you to go to these candidates web site and if you ever have any issues reach out to emilys list and we will make sure you get directly connected to the campaign. The next question coming in here alexander asked i love that emilys list supports women of color in the primary and general elections. How do you help bring women of color to the pipeline . This is a fantastic question and i sort of wish that one of my colleagues was sitting here next to me. The institution of plan is built for privileged white man. We all know that. We know that women face challenges and women of color face more challenges and we see it as our job to navigate those challenges for candidates and so often they are told he cant quit your job to campaign fulltime. We know that is not true. We know women of color and women are heads of household. We worked with our partners nationally and their partners on the ground to find these women of color. As i said our teams go on the ground and meet them firsthand when they launched those campaigns we are right there next to them. Not physically next to them right now but next to them. The second thing we do is we break down those barriers i just talked about. When a candidate says i have to work i need an income or it can support my children we dont say no. We say okay how can we make this work . One of my favorite anecdotes is Candice Valenzuela. Shes a young mom and has to Young Children second son was born after she campaigned in people told her that she wouldnt be able to raise her son and ran for off as per day visibly remember the day she sat in her office and shared this with me and i said to her you can absolutely do that. You can run for congress and now she is successfully running. We help you navigate for these women and navigate those barriers. Its certainly hard work but we understand the importance of doing it which is why we do it. So thank you for asking that question because its one of my favorite things to talk about. Our next question is from jayne. Jayne asked should i donate directly to the candidate or to emilys list . Thats a fantastic question and i will actually add a question which is what is the best time to donate . Jane and everyone else you can go to the web site and donate to wrigley to emilys list and you can donate directly to all of our federal gubernatorial candidates predicting good where homepage under candidates. They are broken down by office and you can. About all of the candidates more and you can make a donation directly to our women. The donations you make their go directly to the canada zovi go to emilys list. Org you can choose both. These women need the money directly and the majority of the funds go to the campaign directly. Both are people also often ask when is the best time to give get to candidates and i would say right now. As we know women need better early fundraising to show their strength and their viability. Earlier in the presentation i talked about so much of the fundraising success from candidates like sara getting in and theresa. They need to make these races viable and put them into play. Early donations help their campaigns plan. We are 13 weeks out tomorrow from the election and all of our candidates if they are not on their communicating with voters they are starting to lay down designations. With the increase in early vote and absentee voting we need to be communicating with voters even earlier. Early money is so critical not just in making these campaigns drawn but giving them the ability to communicate with voters in a timely fashion. Go to the web site and donate as soon as you can then thank you. Our next question is from peggy. Peggy asks what about Kate Schroeder against in ohio. That is a fantastic question for those of you who are not from ohio should know that steve chabot is entangled in various ethical issues right now. This is a very winnable seat that i would say its one of the most winnable seats in the state and we have a fantastic workgroup against steve chabot here. This is a team that and so we know democrats can win here. Kate schroeder is a Public Health expert and shes also a cancer survivor so when she talks about the importance of Affordable Health care and the challenges of navigating the Health Care System with preexisting conditions she knows what shes talking about because her life is literally on the line. Kate kate is a fantastic candidate. She is on the dccc web site. Ryan asks about North Carolina, what do the new North Carolina districts need and that is a fantastic question. As many of you may or may not know in december at the end of 2019 North Carolina had to redraw the congressional lines. Thats because the lines that were drawn in 2010 were so gerrymandered they were deemed unconstitutional. Just to take a moment and highlight how important it is which is why elected governors and the work of our state and local teams are so critical right now going into another redistricting year. When these maps are gerrymandered against us its a real hindrance to electing democrats and electric electing Democratic Women pray last cycle the maps in North Carolina were redrawn and they were redrawn at the last minute so we had to recruiting get women into the primaries. Headed into that primary under the new maps pennsylvania had fewer women in the federal delegation. Today they have for and all our emilys list candidates. We are seeing the same opportunities now in North Carolina. North carolina had three democrats in the delegation. After the blue lines were drawn to women has successfully won primaries in new districts that were safe democratic seats so thats North Carolinas Second Districting Kathy Manning in the sixth Congressional District. Both of those women are emilys list candidates in both of the women have won the primary seats and weak spectrum to win in november. In addition in North Carolina where we have Patricia Goodson running it is also now in play. Their other seats in North Carolina that we are looking at and we expect to pick up the at least three or four more of her Democratic Women because we finally after nine years got in North Carolina. Thank you for asking that question because it not only gave the opportunity to highlight patricia but it gave me the opportunity to talk about how important. Districting is going into the next cycle. Ann else are there Health Care Professionals running who we can support . We do have women at the federal level. Just remind everyone we have cumbersome and kim schrader in the the first page or selected to congresswoman Lauren Underwood who was a nurse before running for congress. The last cycle we did elect to Public Health experts to congress. This cycle is a noted we have dr. Barbarin boyet who was a family physician running for United States senate in kansas and in arizonas fifth Congressional District in the emergency room doctor in addition we have Kate Schroeder in ohios fourth Congressional District who is a Public Health expert and we also have nancy new yorks first Congressional District for shes a scientist that obviously has a keen focus on science and will be an advocate for strong Public Health. We are running to more as well as another Public Health care expert in another scientist. All of these women are fantastic and they often talk about their backgrounds and how important that is and as we are seeing polling across the country looking better and better for democrats so much of it because of the failed handling of the coronavirus by trump and republicans across the country, voters are hungry for leadership in these women will provide that. So thank you for asking that question. Let me scroll through here. Kate asks will you be accepting any additional candidates in nebraska . We already did endorse kara schmidt in nebraska. Her Team Released a public poll a few weeks ago showing this race very winnable and we will continue to endorse candidates up until election day which is up and tell as soon as we can before the election. We are constantly looking at the map. We are constantly looking at any woman running and can we put the seats in play and very often over the years we found emilys list does the work with candidates and help them get elected or helps put them on the map before other people realize these races are in play. A great example of that is the last cycle. We have been working with kendra and not a lot of folks saw oklahoma as the sea. Our team went to oklahoma and they sat down in her living room so thank you for asking that question. We have, i think that is all of the questions in the queue. So thank you all again so much for letting me talk about this work and for taking the time to join the conference virtually. This is obviously not the way we would like to do this but this work is important so i appreciate you taking the time to engage and everyone sitting in front of their computer really highlights how important this work is and how motivated and passionate we all are about electing women up and down the ballot and defeating trump. Thank you again to please enjoy the rest of your conference and i now would like to turn the program back to executive director emily kaine. Thank you so much karen. Isnt it so easy to see why we are so excited about november after you see that presentation and also how lucky is little maggie to have a mom like karen. Thank you so much karen. I am emily kaine and im proud to be the executive director of emilys list and today i come to you live from the great state of maine. I have to say its amazing to be a part of this with all of you joining us from coast to coast today. Its a huge group and growing every minute. While you are watching our livestream today i just want to point out a couple of other features that you will see on the web site that you are viewing this pretty can check out our shop and ill tell you more about it later can see the incredible generous this has made this Virtual Event possible will also see a list of every single woman that emilys list has helped select over the last 35 years will see there is a tab 35 years is a long time can also find a full list of our speakers their photos in their bios. And speaking of speakers you are in for a treat with our next speaker. Governor Michelle Lujan grisham has been a friend of emilys list for a very long time. In new mexico as county commissioner and then a congressman in 2018 she became his countrys first democratic latina governor elected in new mexico alongside so many other amazing prochoice democratic emilys list women up and down the ballot. Under michelles leadership new mexico has raised the minimum wage and passed preexisting condition protection and pass same day voter registration. The list goes on and on and right now in this time of crisis michelles decisive informed leadership is saving lives in new mexico and earning national fame. We are so honored to have her join us today could please join me in giving a warm virtual welcome to emilys list Michelle Lujan grisham. Thank you for being with us today michelle. Is my pleasure and honor. Its lovely to see you even though its virtual and i got to see in the tiny lefthand corner of my screen earlier Stephanie Schriock the incredible womens group of emilys list supporter knows no bounds and im delighted to participate today. I dont know if the viewers can see behind me but ive got to get a full flowers that you all sent to me today and they really are a bright spot. In todays environment we have to hold on to the fact that we are supporting each other, that this work has real meaning and the truth is emilys list is my friend and people judge you by who your friends are so emily thank you so very much. You are welcome and of course for everyone else out there is an incredible honor to speak with you today and to be part of a lineup that includes such formidable women not least of which is our wonderful congress amend from southern new mexico. Im going to focus on leadership today. Of course this is something that i hope we all believe her ears leadership has no gender. Leadership in my mind is the ability to make decisions to protect the communities you are elected to serve. If you follow that determination by constantly reevaluating the information have by being Strong Enough to stay the course when you chose this is the right one and humble enough when you learn something new or circumstances to terry away change, to change course and finally leadership as a matter of accountability. Owning the consequences good or bad writer ron because thats the job, thats the inherent cost of having the opportunity to lead. Its also worth noting i think that leadership by this token is not the selfish pursuit of selfpreservation. It is not delegation for its own sake. Its not a blame game. As we all know too well to Many Americans have learned the hard way the federal government the Trump Administration has revealed itself as one equipped to lead protector server anywhere in this country. The president s refusal in fact did do the bear minimum and unleashed untold suffering and communities all across america. This tidal wave and ineptitude and im grateful for it every single day the leadership of strong women in positions of power in every corner of the United States. This effort against ineptitude and unfairness has really been led and invested by emilys list. As i said leadership has no gender but leadership in this crisis has been repeatedly and vigorously demonstrated by women by every color and creed in every region. Female leaders who are not only setting the time of honest and objective and factbased Public Discourse in a Public Health crisis, the female leaders who are making productive and difficult decisions to save lives and to protect vulnerable populations with decisiveness is most needed. Female leaders who are in this ongoing and critical moment of crisis reminding americans frankly what leadership looks like. Im thinking of Governor Whitmer in michigan who has withstood violence and insurrection under state. Setting robust Public Health standards and sticking to them no matter the storms that have come. Im thinking of governor kelly brown who have been bold and early adopters of the practices for Covid Recovery while ensuring Public Health requirements are met. Im thinking of mayors like Lori Lightfoot in chicago in Keisha Lance Bottoms and atlanta in marietta and washington d. C. Who have bought and beaten the president as he relies upon his authoritarian impulses to steamroll their constituents and play politics amid this crisis. Im also thinking of my good friend governor raimondo who knew unequivocally that we need to get ready to Contact Tracing and a covid world differently. He didnt just direct debit he done she directly did the work. She reviewed the coding and invested time and injury time and energy with the folks of Business Leaders who could make those changes. Now because of her leadership and her investment we are all using that software application. Its become the backbone of Contact Tracing networks in nearly every state including new mexico who has adopted it. Her personal attention and intervention is a great example of the type of leadership that women throughout the nation are emulating, decisive leadership from the front. Im reminded of rave and forthright congresswomen who just this week, this congresswoman reminded young girls all across the country in the face of hatred and bigotry from their male colleagues with sexist and hateful language and a Public Office much less of the u. S. Congress that we do not and will not accept anything less than respect and equal treatment and the esteem and dignity we are owed not only as officeholders but as human beings in a free country. Who is to thank for this leadership . Us, you the women who led the 2018 womens race. You know this and i know this and its worth repeating over and over. Elections have consequences and thats why we fight so hard. Thats what groups like emilys list are so important in achieving a healthy and equitable democracy predominate reason these women and so many more that i havent had the chance to highlight her in the position they are in to impact Public Health and to protect their constituents whether those constituents wanted and sometimes not in whether those constituents want to respect them or not is because of the work that was done to elect so many women in 2018 and elections before that. We are witnessing and im living the power of that sea change long coming. 2018 was a race powered by strong women who voted organized and ran for office. Americans from east to west are reaping the benefits every single day of the strong leadership of women at every level of government women who were refusing to let federal failure stand in the way of protecting their immunity, women who were reminding americans what service looks like. So ladies lets elect more of them. Follow new mexicos example that im really proud of the fact that new mexico is a leader in electing women are the majority for state house of representatives the Democratic Caucus is female and one third of all women of color who have ever served in any statewide executive office or from new mexico. We have the opportunity this year to send what women to the house delegation seats and we have momentum on our sites. 22 was a banner year were 49 women when one state and legislative offices across new mexico and in our state court of appeals became majority female for the first time ever. We are not done yet. But the committed help of emilys list we will keep crossing the finish line time and time again and the monumental change we have enacted in representation or state will continue to grow and spread i know beyond our borders. This year represents the centennial of women winning the right to vote. We have come a long way and we still have further to go for through the kind of change we need to enact to recover out of this Public Health and economic crisis the kind of leadership we need to stay the course in the face of the federal government to does not care about womens bodies womens autonomy or Womens Health care. That only comes from continuing to fight from recognizing the distance we have, and how important leadership and women has been in this time of historic challenge. We knew this long before this particular crisis that women get the job done. Women listen to their constituents, they listen to the experts they enact the right decision and they dont back down. As this crisis has continued to show women have always had the vision to lead this nation and build a better america. We are now executing that vision through today as we are called upon to remember and honor the leadership of another another visionary delay john lewis we are called to remember his righteousness for justice. Without his neverending fight for equality none of us would be here today celebrating how far we have calm and remembering how far we have left to go. Thank you john and everyone here today me included will continue your fight. I will continue to fight for new mexicos health and prosperity every single day and with your help we world when the fight to elect more women to serve more families and workers effectively to meet them right with their needs are and to see our state and country b. This crisis. Together we are finding another way. Emilys list we are the way. I want to thank you again for letting me be here and celebrate with you and engage in this way. Its always an incredible honor. Lets go get more women elected. Thank you so much michelle. We are ready to when we are so lucky to have you on our side. Thank you for sharing your time your Incredible Energy with us. We are so grateful for you in the critical work you are doing not just for mexico but all of the ways you are showing the entire country the enormous positive impact that Democratic Women make especially in executive leadership decisions. Thank you for being with us today and we cant wait to spend more time with you in person or virtually very soon. I feel the same way. Emily thank you very much everyone who participated thank you for making a difference in my state and thank you for making a difference in this country. See you soon michelle. This afternoon is only going to get more exciting pic coming up you will hear about our run to win program. You are going to hear from a certain Vice President who is running for president could you might have heard of them, joe biden. Dont forget we have our rising star panel coming up later today or you will meet rising stars from state or local office from across the country and the presentation of art Gabrielle Giffords rising star warden who could and did a better bent and with the one and only Speaker Nancy Pelosi along with tracey ellis ross. Right now i am thrilled to introduce another special musical guest. Amanda shires is an acclaimed grammy awardwinning solo artist. She is the cofounder of the Country Music supergroup. This group is a nonapologetic a feminist country rock everything supergroup that is all about making womens voices heard. Amanda is a fierce advocate for women and a fearless campaigner peter lear this ear back when we are allowed to be together amanda joined us for the panel whether annual brunch in los angeles where she wowed us with her humility passion and her commitment to women. We are so proud to have amanda and her emilys list community and so thrilled she sent along this special performance for us today enjoy Amanda Shires accompanied by her husband. Hello. Happy 35th anniversary celebration today couldnt be more happy and proud to be here with you all. Im Amanda Shires on the guitar is jason and thank you for making a bigger and wider path for all of us. I dont know about you that was incredible. Thank you for bring that special video our way. You might have known this but amanda is supporting the 2019 version of the emilys list tshirt to elect more women. You are probably thinking to yourself i would like to have a new emilys list elect women teacher. Good news for you you can and you are exactly where you need to be to do that. In honor of our 35th our next speaker has helped put together a special 36th Anniversary Merchandise session. You find it on this site if you click on word says shop. You will see a special 36th anniversary pin the 2020th updated version of our elect women pin. And a special limitededition option with up to 12 different version of elect women sure you can get elect women, a lets black women elect latino elected native women elect to and with disabilities and more. So dont forget to check that section now. The features make great gifts and can be shipped as gifts. I will get out of the program now but i went on an ordered some tshirts im very excited. Our next speaker is a talented Vice President. Then overseas digital fundraising communication and organizing efforts for emilys list including a robust email social media text messaging and creative programming. Ben is going to share the exciting work of our run to win. Our run to win campaign. We focus on helping prochoice Democratic Women run for office and win. Let me turn it over to my friend and talented colleague ben dobson. Thank you so much. Im so excited to be here with you and members across the country. Ill tell a story better like setting program. Im going to tell you a story today and i hope you find this story just as exciting as we do on emilys list. Its a story that is a little bit about where we have been in a little bit about where we are going and it does a little bit about how we find ourselves in this moment in how we got there. First up, let me go to presentation i have some slides. First off in the aftermath of the 2016 election more than 55,000 women reached out to emilys list about running for office. An incredible outpouring of support and some i can anything we have ever seen before. It was unprecedented but it also was a challenge. It was a very simple math problem. How do we reach out to that many people . The huge number because here is the deal. Most of our Campaign Services of emilys list our wonderful state and local teams. Those are direct advising. They work direct handinhand day in and day out to help women get ready to run for office. That takes a lot of time so what we do at emilys list to build that program out and to build a program that can serve that many candidates, thats where our run to win campaigns come in. We launch this in direct response to the candidates and we knew that it had to do a few basic things. First off we had to convey basic skills and the and bolts about running for office that we have done day in and day out for 35 years every single day. Everything you might imagine from how to run a campaign and how the fund raised and talked your family family about running for office in your employer. The basic skills you youre going to need to run for office through the second goal we knew we had to beat was our community. We know we needed to connect all the candidates reaching out to one another running for office can be extremely isolating and lonely. And particularly if you are running in an area thats very republican and very red. Introducing candidates in setting up a rule support system so they have helped running for office and not just help them with their skills but also help in a community to encourage them in a tough moment. And then finally we knew we needed to include some component connecting these candidates to actual offices in the committee. We often first think about the federal agencies. There are so many ways to have an impact on our community and their tens of thousands of offices across the country that people can run for. We wanted to make sure the word no peers in the way in running for office. Also filing requirements. We built her up talk about the tools we built to address this. We had certain steps to give these candidates the community and direct them toward the offices to run for it. The first one im going to kill you by this one of the coolest and it is something we are very proud of and that is our assisted digital equivalent to or in terse and advising and brings 35 years of institutional learning on line about how to run for office. Theres one module that is free and then there are several others that are behind the pale across the table. We actually by the way typecast like netflix so people will be familiar with it and it wouldnt be a barrier and it would give compliance tools. I want to tell you about this on line Training Center. It is very intentional. We wanted to make sure theres a Career Pathway in some of these candidates are running for office up from the earliest confrontation might have with friends and family all the way to setting up a campaign and all the way to getting out the vote and getting ready to win. That is builtin throughout the campaign and we try to keep people coming back. This should give you a sense of some of the great models and the skills. Our run to win one on one module at the kasich first discussions between yourself and your family. How to set up the campaign and how the higher and again where else are you going to learn about direct resources. We have a fundraising lobby and that teaches you how to do fundraising emails and how to do direct mail pieces. We also have a communication session that Digital Strategy lesson a field lesson and a lesson on. Medium. Each of these has a few basic components. They have lessons that teach you the skills, exercises that reinforce the skills and templates that you can use on your own campaign. How do we take a lesson thats and not just teach it but help the candidates practice it and internalize it and set up an amazing campaign. And one thing i wanted to bring up as i think its very unique to the toolset we have no pets emilys list which is we have really tried to do what we would call game up by the experience of using the Training Center. We built in a lot of features that keep people coming back because again if we provide them with this training and we recognize there are barriers to running for office but one of those barriers is the myriad of phases of the campaign and can be intimidating for firsttime candidates. We builtin prompts where they can click and acknowledge that they have finished at the lesson and to give some sort of immediate satisfaction. We have progress ours so candidates no how far through the lesson they are. What we are trying to do here really is in another way of thinking is provide elements of a videogame experience to this on line Training Center so that candidates are incentivized to come back and keep moving to the platform and begin we see that is incredibly intrinsic to the success of the effort. Again the basic room as his significant barriers for running for office that we want to make sure that candidates are moving along through the process. Again in the same way our advisers do offline with our endorsed candidates. This is where connecting candidates to the office and the committee that they could run for so where can i run . You enter your street address and some basic information you can learn which office he can run for in your own community. We actually have a few in advance here so regardless of whether you are running in this ikeler next cycle are the cycle after where able to customize based on what you are running. These candidates are thinking so strategically about the race and what they are running for and when they are running. Their way ahead of times. No so well that is these local officers, its so hard for candidates to navigate in the filing requirements. And if you put in your address and provided an example for your hair. On the left side, you will see a set, this is an example of tennessee. And they have a description of the Office Actually does. A list of requirements the you know what you can actually know what you have to do to run for office. This is critical. If you and run for office, have to file for your name to be on the ballot. No one there to begin, embarrassed running. So we have all of this information here. Theres even an option to let us know, so were able to track the community is the move through this process. This is where we are going to talk about the peace and were discussing. So again running for office can be externally isolating sometimes it helps to be able to hear something from them. Rather than a strategist or a trainer would have you. This is where were trying to build a community. For now, this communion face book is a huge group of people. We provide moderating conversations prayed with experts along with our partners. And really what were trying to do here is to give these candidates a place where they can provide moral support for one another. They can give feedback. As it relates sometimes humble to hear from somebody who has been there and in their shoes. You have to describe this group is the happiest place on the internet. Truly is wonderful to see these candidates support each other in such a great way. And finally i want to tell you about a few more elements than the programs that is critical then i will bring it towards today. Ouour email programs weekly ts to be sent out to these runners together some, ongoing advice. Invite them to webinars and trainings. He said the filing deadline reminders. To make sure theres not another barrier in their way. I will make sure and we change the content based on whats happening. Early on, the basic information as we move towards the election, there be more focused to get us about. An outsource of interesting topics like that. At the appropriate point in time. Another key part of this program is our Webinar Series. Some have a wonderful training, and state and local team. These trainings are real time and from anywhere, i would sometimes bring in partners, surveys we use our inhouse experts. We do quick trainings, long trains, we do them on all sorts of topics to help these people out. Then finally, we have a great in Person Training Program to train candidates on the basic initial things that you will, 101 Campaign Training series. We do this all across the country. And obviously not right now because of the time we are in. But again, we are doing things online, in person we can, and were talking about things about every dimension of running for office. Here is where this comes up like. We were moving towards the 2020 election. We hit march and covid19 it. And suddenly, changed the fundamental reality of running for office. Because we had to think, when helper candidates think about how to adopt and how to campaign in this new era. Honey run a program when you cant talk about it in person. What is voter contact look like in this time. So he realized very quickly the because of all of the things we had built through the run to win campaign, we were already repaired hit the road running. So first off, we visited with our Webinar Series and built out some of around the urgent topics. How to host Virtual Events. Digital advertising, managing volunteers remotely. And again, it is a new reality and we want to make sure that our candidates have then we build out new Training Centers. We already had these resources in place. All you do is quickly visit to the new reality. So i built out a Virtual Campaign early on with our state and local campaign, provided to all the candidates. On texting and Digital Advertising the way i graphic design. Videography. Knowing full well these candidates were actually going to be doing so many more of these things themselves. An online in virtually. So until all of these things out to help them. Heres the basic thing. Emilys list has been uniquely prepared to address and campaign and this pandemic era because of the work of what we have run over the past year. And its absolutely a strategic and competitive advantage. So if you want to stay in touch with us you can go to emilys list. Org one. And learn about webinars is a great place to see these candidates in action. So with that, i am very excited to welcome back to the stage, stephanie, the president of emilys list. It was going to be introducing the next section of this program. Hi. Am i here. Then, that was amazing can i just say for a moment. I think that van dawson was our vp of digital. His been so phenomenal. Stephanie youve walked us through everything that he had to do to get this up and running with an army that has grown rapidly. Im just so immensely grateful to everything. And for men, huge thank you to you team for everything that you do for us every single day. Plus manage 55000 plus women who are going to leave this country out of this terrible thing. So thank you been. Ben think is much great is definitely a team effort. Anyway of the best digital team in politics working with me. Some very grateful for that. Im grateful we get to work everyday helping women who want to change the world. Stephanie it is really cool. So keep up the good work. Thank you so much. In essence everybody has been watching men and you saw karen and emily and you can see why i have the single best job in the american politics. They are so good. They have not missed a beat in this whole process. And im just so proud of each and every one of them. You can see why. Mimic what is really good. Resetting all of this time and we will spend lots more talking about all of the great women that we have to elect to the senate. And to the legislatures, the mayors all across the country. And lets just basic, we all know, there is one thing that we need to defeat this november. One man who has to be with his current residence. And yes, i am going to talk about a male candidate is going to do just that. So that awesome milk candidate is also doing it the team is going to include the first female Vice President of the United States of america. So i am truly truly honored that Vice President joe biden, our democratic nominee for president of the year United States. The man who was going to kick trump out of the office and save the station. Has a special message for all of us. So thank you Vice President biden. Hello and happy anniversary. I want to thank stephanie for a decade of tenacious leadership. In the great ellen his courage and vision has transformed this country for 35 years. Youve all been making the go rise. Rising above barriers. I sing to power. This important celebration of these occasions especially in tough times. Anniversaries remind us of how far we have come rated to give us the strength to go the distance is left to go. This august, we mark another big anniversary. One hundred years since the 19th amendment was officially ducted. And womans right to vote, exercise real political power in the constitution. His long legs took 42 years from the time that amendment first was introduced in congress until it became of all of the land. Took decades more and black women and native american women, and Asian American women, to get full access to vote. Even now we are still working to live up to that promise. But it is because of groups like emilys list that are really genuinely late making progress pretty today her daughters and others can go to a political rally return of the deviancy that a womans place is really in the house. In the senate and the white house as well read and today, we have an opportunity to not only vote donald trump out, not only build back better for women and families, but to finally and fully confront racial inequities that still plague our society. Women choose to elect a woman. Where no woman has been before. In the role of Vice President. It is way past time. These are hard to days for the nation. When americans respond in the darkest moments the determination. Its the most consequential election in our lifetime. We cannot take a single vote for granted. We have to elect a democrat up and down the ballot. I hope youll join us, get everyone of you involved. Every one of you know involved Great American women of their shied away from hard fight. I have full faith that we will win this one together. So lets get to work. Lets do it now. Stephanie why can tell you Vice President biden, we will definitely get to work and im looking forward to the day when we call you president joe biden. Thank you for for your support of emilys list. We are looking forward to seeing his primate break a huge glass ceiling. In working together with him and his campaign to take back the senate. Lets build back better this nation. Some of the, thank you Vice President joe biden. Now every year, one of our favorite parsons conference is the rising star panel where we celebrate for our Rising Star Award. We are excited to have a friend joan walsh joining us again for conversation with our rising star comedies. These women are extraordinary. Joan also extraordinary is a correspondent for the nation and a contributor to cnn. I do not know how she does all of this is my pleasure to welcome her right now. Joan, my dear friend, im so glad you are here. How is your daughter doing. She is like super campaigner by the way. Joan shes managing katie porters campaign. Stephanie i have heard that and i love it thats amazing. Shes a supermom. Joan shes outshining me. Stephanie shes just pond and some good shoes. And we are grateful to you. Its a job, take away with this great panel and thank you so much for doing this for us. Joan think is much stephanie. This is my honor. I have done this before. I was thrilled to be asked again. Im 70 cannot be with you all in person. As a very fun event. Next year, we will all be eating chicken and having a glass of wine. And that will be great. And i look forward to that. I meant particularly excited about this panel. Because, it features state legislatures. And as stephanie knows, after the devastation of the truck when. Or semi when. I really got interested in looking at the women who worse searching to run for state offices in 2017. Is actually virginia. And it was on an emilys list training that i met all of these women at some of whom were given a chance of getting training. And 15 democrats, fed the dont get seized that year, 11 of them were women. Believed they were all supported by emilys lofgren so this is very near and dear to my heart and we have some great women who will share their experiences and tell us especially why this matters. I want to start with our Rising Star Award winner. She probably represents the 34th House District and she grew up as the daughter of two elected officials. She currently served as the House Minority leader. In the ohio house of representatives. And she is the winner i will introduce everybody is a hello to you and then well get to the questions. So what, million. We are thrilled to have you. Guest thanks for having me rated. Joan next family law attorney from North Carolina and a native rated and mother of two. In blue in 2018. We were just talking about kids during the pandemic. And so she is a hero. Shes also taking care of her kids while running again. And legislating sort very happy to have her. Welcome. Guest thank you. Spieth. Joan the first woman ever elected to serve as majority leader and other than that, shes amazing. Shes brought daughter of a waitress and a bartender. And she is the leader of the first majority female legislature in the nation. Thank you nicole and welcome. Guest s could be here. And last but not least, anna, served as a rep. In 47th House District. She is the daughter of immigrants in the first running american for the elected Public Office in florida. Shes also the youngest and the legislator which we love to see. Welcome anna. Guest thank you so much. Joan i just wanted to start with a very general question. Stephanie is also often said that the most brave think that anyone can use of the name of ballot prayed run for office. The obstacle for women. Women are serving since 2015. I wanted to and we will go in the order i introduced you in. I can remember that. Call you. To talk about why you decided to run in the first place. Somalia. Guest thank you for the question joan. To be honest, i never really thought i would be an elected official. As you mentioned, both of my parents were elected officials, actually served with my dad. Hes in the senate. And literally, i was born into politics. My mom started with me when she was born at city council. She was the first black woman to be canceled member at large. And so it was very near and dear to me to be concerned about Public Service. But i figured i could deal without being a public official. All the things that people are doing to put themselves out there and as you mentioned, how challenging it can be especially for women. So just decided i would help all sales orbit not going to be an elected official. No way, no how. And my dad was, there were people lined up to run in the House District and in the parade the nice people. But i figured my community deserved better. They deserved rep. Who truly understood and brought there. Wanted to do the Public Service and not just of the title. So i decided to run. The rest is history. I was a little bit but didnt write it but thankfully, with a lot of prayer a lot of family and a lot of support. Also a lot of good friends along the way, made the decision. And i think it is probably one of the best ones ive ever made. Stephanie thats right. Sidney, your story. A. Guest very similar. Never thought that i would run for office. If it were not for emilys list. I wouldnt even be here for it is all of the creditor and plan goes to emilys list and andrew. It i became frustrated i worked with some system sewer are often time broken. They walk into a office, and a or republican. I dont see them that way there. And what i see our problems within our government and in different areas of the life. When they have to make really hard decisions with family when i look to the legislature which is clearly not rep. Of women are people of color and carolina. It became really frustrating to me that the individuals who were in power were making decisions and no perspective on how much it cost per child care. I think 2500 just for child care for my two kids. And many of them had, especially when its an older legislature, parttime citizen blood legislature. And the rest of us dont do that we choose not to do that pretty didnt want to stay home. I want to work. A career that predict the decision about trying to provide a great education preschool rated all of those decisions were being made by people who were out of touch with the individuals over the families that i represent everyday predict so i decided they were going to be in a position to change the law and have policies were for the vast majority of people. Then why not meet step up and survive much more in a different voice to the general simile. There were hundred 20 members, was one of one of four women at the time who had middle school aged children. So that was a huge challenge how to navigate all of those areas. Its one of the best decisions i made it and im very happy and to it. Stephanie nicole your story. Guest thank you. I am the proud of a bartender and waitress. My parents never graduated from high school. They were working class members in my community. There are culinary members, Union Members going up. I remember, from a very young age, my parents work opposite shifts like a lot of kids here in vegas. Someone was always some of the kids and someone was always working. Im a used to work in a small diner downtown. And when she would work the lunch shift on their be times when i had to get dropped off with her while my dad was on his way to work. I watched her work harder to serve all of lunches to people who seem very fancy. They were since work. I didnt know anybody work since work. One i knew were uniforms were. And they rode on yellow legal pads. My thought while these people were like all attorneys, and didnt realize how much i was impressed by these folks who were attorneys doing their jobs and having lunch downtown. A vermont serve them lunch everyday. And growing up, i really decided from young age, thats what i wanted to do. I want to be an attorney. I was very lucky to go to Public School here in about it and get an education. There something my parents were not able to achieve. I earned a scholarship, that the legislature created. In about High School Students to college. And with a scholarship, it was the difference between being being able to afford to go to college and not being able to go college. It enabled me that ability to attend the university in reno here. And then i did to the law school at the university of of law in nevada state. It was created and as long by the legislature. And now work in the courthouse this right across the street from the same little liner that my mom served so many lunches in. And now i get to meet one of those really cool attorneys. For me, i think that story illustrates what it is a wanted to get into Public Service. This community really did provide me a lot of opportunities that kids like me, would not have had if there werent legislators who cared. There were people who are willing to put together a Scholarship Program or design of Public Education. So i think a lot of the reason that i jumped into the race was a change in our majorities and our legislatures here in nevada. And watch some of the policies that were being passed and i thought very similar to what sidney was saying. These were policies that didnt represent the community i grew up in. They didnt represent the people that i knew. They didnt represent how it was that we created a place for kid like me could succeed. So i threw my hat in the ring. I ran in a former republican state. And with that in 2016, i had the wonderful support of emilys list and doing. The Nevada Senate from a republican majority to a democrat majority chamber. So we have been able to in the last four years, my first term, do a lot of things to do exactly what it is we as elected officials should be doing that is to build up a Community Around us to make sure there are passing policies that really do help those who have been elected to represent and a lot of things that help a kid like me go from watching my mom served my kids to lawyers to be one of those lawyers right across the street. And thats my general reason for jumping into this seat. But im very much looking forward to doing the good works. Stephanie thank you. Jenna. Guest think is much. And i think to my colleagues here, your all are so incredibly inspiring. And im really proud to be the space. When emma is anna and, im from orlando florida. And i am the daughter working class immigrants. From iran might parents came in from iran but actually met in orlando working in a donut shop. We did was really shy. He was scared of the discrimination. My mom on the other hand was really brave and caught up in the culture identity so she asked my dad, where his accents came from an he told her erotically started speaking together in the rest is history. I have a twin sister and an older brother. We do not have a lot of money growing up but we a whole lot of love. My parents worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. My dad actually went to the university of Central Florida. He became an engineer on the weekdays afford statement worked at Walt Disney World as a Customer Service rep on the weekends just make ends meet. And then my mom, worked at fast food restaurants individually at kmart that would be her last job. Because when i was a little girl, she was diagnosed with cancer became one of her caregivers during that time. She unfortunately passed women of 13 years old. Something i do enough always been grounded in experiencing trauma and not wanting any parent to lose a kid or a kid can prevent it from happening. And access to healthcare and safe communities. An abundance of joy for all people. When i was ten years old, is when i collected my first petition. From being moved to a different lunch. Some politics is local. [laughter]. And then, when my mom passed away i chose a different path. I got involved in high school theater. I have a huge appreciation frozen arts and culture as well. He really was the election of president barack obama. I was 18 years old in 2008 produce my first ever election. I volunteered. I voted for the first time. Any really inspired me come alongside my Public School teacher, mr. Norris was my government teacher. To get more engaged again. So when i was in college democrat, who was engaged in organizing. I started working out for planned parenthood back in 2012. My story like that of many women across this Country Pride was as a patient. Because i didnt have among growing up or comprehensive education. Found myself looking for answers. Plan parenthood was there for me. So started volunteering. And worked there for about six to seven years. And much, ahead no idea i would be funny for office because i was pretty content right was pretty i know my plan parent family is. I love my job. And fighting for access to abortions and directly talking to the people. And assuring that no matter how much money you make, if you have Healthcare Access and to be able to make medical decisions. But in 2016, everything changed for me. And it was less about secretary clinton losing and more about how present trump one. And so divisive pretty so isolating. It is a person of color, i felt rejected by this country. I was given so much and i realized when i didnt live up to the point, there could be an army of women who never went because they were looking towards me to make that leap of faith. Some 2017, i tried to run for state Legislature Party it was held by republican incumbent. Who decided to run for Congress Instead and so i think i chased them out. But it is going a super tough election. The my opponent was me extreme, volker. Partisan. You name it. The senate. And we were 11000 was a part. It was with chris and bryce. But im very much grateful to organizations like emilys list. And when you help us, have the confidence to do this work and hammer back along the way. Joan im going to ask a couple more questions that are brought into all of you. And that i have a few directed to each of you. So those watching, get your questions ready for these women. So as i said, i have been covering state legislative races and is have been talking to people in the last month, some people have said to me on the resistance especially in 2018, was really powered by grass roots. Doorknocking, people winning and district were nobody had ever talk to a democrat. And going doortodoor. And they are a little bit afraid of what the cycle holds. One woman said, doorknocking is my superpower. How i going to do this without knocking on doors. Im just wondering, im sure youre all fighting this challenging. But how are yall getting around this pretty also with amelia. Guest that is a great question joan. And when we are figuring out every single day. Im definitely open to hearing other ideas part of a person who is trying to pick up the proceeds and be successful. Anwe are constantly in communication and the most creative ways. When done personal events, from dance parties to forums to anything we can think of. We are doing without the ability to knock on peoples doors but also explained to peoples notes pretty will we would love to talk to you. But is far more important for you to be safe. So we are doing phone calls as well. And really attempting to quite frankly, raise much money so we do have the opportunity to continue to talk to other folks who need to hear from us. What i hear people say doorknocking is her superpower, its often because of women candidates, can it is a comfortably dont have a lot of money. Since really inexpensive to get on the star spring 48 volunteers to help you. So when we dont have that, its absolutely going to be a challenge without we get our message out and how do we introduce ourselves to be below maybe who about seen this before. Without the gigantic ads on tv. And a president ial election year. Yikes producer will be having a really creative, ideas and thought out there. Maybe it works pretty maybe in just a little bit afraid but ultimately, what we are going to continue to do is use the opportunities that are available to us. A lot of Digital Communications and then for the people who dont like digital, we have phone calls. So usual thing, youd be surprised by how many people actually are on a landline phone. So we are complacently expanding our opportunities. But i think it will be fun and also show the tenacity and creativity that summary candidates have especially women. Validity what we are if we were not creative and we didnt have that flexibility to keep going. And try something new. So very hopeful for what happens in 2020. Were always encourage our candidates members to keep going because we know we will ultimately bring through with messages and candidates. Unexcited departed will be rough but it will turn out really well. Joan inc. You. Cindy. Guest on the other reason the women are actually enjoying doorknocking more because in general, were more engaging we connect with people pride and thus the way we been able to connect through our lives. We been able navigate through different phases friday as i think that it is hard for us, especially being an extrovert like me. It is the worst thing ever. Ive actually, when i cant connect, i am a hugger targeted it is really challenging. Las canvassing is a break from the challenges of fundraising. It takes hundreds of thousands and in some places especially in florida, millions of dollars to holland in the seas present we usually get that, when we are really frustrated. We cant get out. So our campaign is been really focus on two things. Fundraising so we can actually have more programs and also significantly more milk. We cannot knock on doors. And some are better than others so were not canvassing right now and i dont see us getting on doors at all this election cycle. We started in june and we are very fortunate to have volunteers hurt better about making every single week, multiple times a week and were able to reach thousands of voters with heavy voicemail or contact. The extroverts of the world answer their phones. Says been really great. And are actually doing more programs were actually texting people. But you actually have good brother dennis we can look at that. So the re actually more engagement with the people because of oncall. So those in similar ways which we are all just trying to navigate this new space and try to figure out how we can still reach voters at a time when is extremely challenging and people are very stressed out themselves. Were not trying we dont want to burden them with more information and more stressors. We also have constituent services that have been overwhelmed. Its a slow time as well. Nowhere also talking about the constituents and the services and another white and mature Community Knows that you actually care about them. The carless of their situations. Especially in times of stress. As a time when people are more likely to go through here and connect more. Joan one person told me that they are having longer phone conversation because people are stepping on. It is a mixed blessing. Nicole. Guest i would agree generally. I feel like, so the covid19 of been especially hard for us to really crave that facetoface attention. And especially i think, having run in the seat where we were looking for this breed is really important to actually get out. And i think what made the biggest difference was getting on talking to people read being able to have a conversation about what they were concerned about, with the problems were that they were facing. How we can help as elected officials. I think really not only gave us a good idea of what the community was craving but also really fostered our ability to have policies and legislative sessions that expressed a lot of the concerns. They were effective in making people lives better. At the end of the day, that is what were all trying to do. So its difficult to not be able to have that facetoface folks at the door. I started early with doorknocking. And thats when the pandemic started to become more at the forefront and so we immediately started transitioning to doing a lot of phone calls. We also had text program so that we are reaching out to folks, mostly we were reaching out to make sure that if there was anybody who had concerns that they were having difficulty getting connected to unemployment are having difficulties with where they could go for Healthcare Services that we were providing to those pretty and also in my Senate District as well as a couple of other outlets throughout the biggest valleys, many couple of food pantries. We are doing some outreaches as well. Something enabled us to those communitybased services, also be able to have conversations with people in the community to get some of that feedback about challenges. And where it is that should be for community support. So we can hopefully focus our attention there. But in terms of our campaigning strategy. It really has been a focus on phone calls, text messaging and we been doing calls with community groups. Been doing soon calls with folks in my district to talk about different neighborhoods and segments of communities where you can get it and have that facetoface conversations much like we are doing today with his own calls. It is a new way of communicating. How can you still communicate with voters. And you can keep volunteers engaged. Will have some many big networks. And its absolutely how we succeed is we look for ways to build those around us and the support together. So that i think has been really successful. Even for our volunteers to dont like a zoom phone bank where we can have some communications with each other but were still having those conversations with the voters as part of the phone thanks. So its a bit of a different way to campaign. So for those of us who really love being on the doors. Were just looking at outlets to keep that communication flowing. And continue to address the needs of our communities. And i would like to comment on thinking a focus on the primary thing to communicate with voters. Joan of course. Anna. Guest weve knocked on 40000 doors on our First Campaign read doorknocking has been instrumental to our success. We build up a volunteer base, better connections. And so covid19 has provided very unique challenges but also exciting opportunities. We get to show up for our constituents in a really meaningful way. Always believe that leadership rises. So we have been able to shine. Its a resource for constituents. And folks across the state of florida. Florida is our unique and we positive case the covid19 started become more public, we are actually at the end of our legislative session which started early this year. So i remember sitting in my bed and tallahassee, realizing quickly that we could not continue with the activities that we were already maintaining. I petitioned in january of this year. Were very early in nothing in the doors starting in the fall 2019. So we made the decision to suspend all field activities and completely converted all of her work into public awareness. We created covid19 tied for Central Florida. In english and spanish on her Campaign Website we began text states and most checks using that link to giving people flair and quick information. Especially unemployment. And then, we been running on active combining. Also most of the spring and into the summer because so many floridians were struggling with unemployment. From the goodness of peoples hearts, we still attracted organic donations. The more helping to post our Office Opening in march. Weve already started paying rent for office. I kept doing the dates. I said, we just have to do this virtual. What is not going to have an office. But we still have to set the tone for supporters and with district that we need the campaign. So we convert our Office Opening to a virtual Office Opening frame actually gone on a hundred and 50 people to and through zoom. It was very attractive for me teachers join us. We ended up raising 6000 through that one event. And i was even dubbed as a fundraiser brightest we have really been able to utilize zoom for virtual house parties. At this point to with many more plan is a speak. And at this point made by sydney as well. Constituent services have been an essential part of what we do pretty and has translated into outreach. Because at the end of the night getting phone calls from democrats, republicans and phone calls from people who cant even vote. Asking for help unemployment or opening of schools. Looking to us for leadership. And in return, or the respect of people who will probably vote for me 2018. I think it will vote for me also in 2020. And also been a critical part of our covid19 campaign world. And we did do informal surveys of our district and understanding of the comfort with not necessarily doorknocking pride but after we saw raped about 69 people have any of our volunteers and supporters, there were overwhelming consensus that peoe are not comfortable conversation with the door but they were comfortable with the literature. So we are already highlighting that the sweep of the first time. With our base to see what the response of the literature. To be vetted a covid19 info sheet. So folks know this is the no contact visit. We care about the health and safety. But i do think that we cant completely omit the active going to someones door. But i think we can do so that is respectful. And take precautions. Engage in conversation but just give them literature and the cool part about that effort to is when you can do it anytime of day, because not trying to talk to you. But his only something at the door. And the other candidates in florida do that on both sides of the aisle. That hasnt been any type of all concerned alert yet. But additionally heard that everybodys watching into exercise precaution. But based on the results that we did, seems like thats going to be a valid thing that we do pretty and we can direct and leave behind the doors. Joan that is good to know. Last question to all of you. Then a couple more personal ones. Democrats really blew it at the statehouse level. Under the Obama Administration were not saying it was his fault. But democratics structures were really not there to support candidates like you. When the last four years from the news there really are the structures. There is a fantastic program of the depressive actually taken back 456 cents donald trump was elected. During this president ial year throughout the pandemic, is it harder amelia teacher message through. Our people paying enough attention to state legislatures. As much as they were maybe and 2018. Or is there more constitution. Guest i will say that people never paying enough attention to the legislative races. As a house caucus minority leader. Hit the nail on the head. In the state legislature is often ignored. Even though we have so much control over funding issues, right issues. Agriculture, you name it. State culture. Most people, dont think of any globe or are not as aware of how much this affects our daytoday lives. In our caucus, we launched a program called ohio commons. It is our opportunity to create a message for alliance. Lacking a cohesive message from the democrats. And it was very basic. Is this if you work hard, you can get ahead pretty family comes first. You can limit work and retire. And we work for you which was the thing we say the most. Because people tended to feel their elected officials dont work for them. For quite frankly goes to the highest bidder. So we wrote around the stage we did ohio tours. And dozens of communities getting his message out about value based policies. We never hear us talk about numbers they dont care about that. But they do care about childcare. They do care about whether or not the taxes are being used appropriately with another elected officials are thinking about them. Larry are in covid19 suite a plan to do another set of townhouse there now virtual. So anyone is welcome to join us. We launched at about two weeks ago pretty were talking about all kinds of issues. Public health crisis, covid19, boating challenges. Is been really great way to remain committed in conversation with our community. One other quick thing that i will not about why it is incredibly important for us. Is that we will be we entered redistricting in 2021. In many states like mine. This made it so that republican super majorities can take their voters rather than the voters taking them. In ohio were unique. We have two Ballot Initiatives that created new processes. Those will come into play in 2021. We have been telling everyone that it is imperative that we break that republican super majority because we count on those two initiatives will not have their fairness that the voters, overwhelmingly voted twice and we owe it to our community to do it. So that multiple things to do. Messaging, that we do and are concerned with the district sting under congressional states that are going to be part of an ohio where he will lose one so it will be very challenging to start from scratch. We saw people know that we are working for them. It is incredibly important for them to know the our elected officials are here to work for them. It not for any other purpose. We have been doing that predict please check out one of our town halls. The have a couple hours throughout the week. Joan thank you. Sydney, you are really in the epicenter of the republican backlash. This plan to take back the statehouse. They were in a deep hole when barack obama got elected in both the house of the senate but also the state legislature. They really, i know you know this. A lot of local North Carolina figures really planned this. If we win back the statehouse, we will control. We can also pass insight women rights, and tight labor, so tell us about how its going and whether you still feel that you guys in 2018, from flipping to democratic. You still have the momentum that you had in 2018. Guest i agree with everything. And were talking about the General Assembly North Carolina. People know more about that they legislature because of some of the things that the Republican Leaders of the past ten years. All the state backwards. Boys make good news for all of the wrong reasons. I look forward to the time when we make it is for all the right reasons. Weve been part of lawsuits and one of the judges actually said its almost with surgical precision which they tried to eliminate the power of people of color. I think especially black North Carolina ands from buzzing. So weve always had to redraw maps. We do them again after 2010. Some example of how badly that is 50 percent of the republicans, but ten of the 13 congressional seats. I wish we can take one of the members. And then they can come over here. And tell us the secrets. And we basically North Carolina, were going to sumitomo blue. Because its only way we were able to hold them accountable. We were able to put a democrat in every single state race. And we were able to flip tendencies in the North Carolina house. On the first democrat to ever hold state thats supposed to be a republican state. But i think that the momentum is there because we continue to see is not spotted tax against working families in North Carolina and people in general. And so think that they are just tired of all of the things that are happening that the republicans come up to with to see how they can still an election. So theres a lot of hoagies and think a lot of people are just tired of what is happened and are embarrassed by what the legislation as been push forward with. Theres a bathroom bill since made national news. I think people really motivated. And its growing. And a lot of people from up north and in the midwestern states of the move here. Theyre like, im not a southern republican. That is a little bit too much. So my district uniquely has more on insulated voters. As because a lot of people live in the area. So we just try to create positive message. We did something similar North Carolina where we came up with the carolina promise. We talk about what her message was. We really need to be more engaging with people. So when i do talk to individuals, tell them the federal government, which estate gets money. An estate is where all of the money is spent. If you care about what happens education table, then you should care about your state legislature. It is not to say the word on the partners this but when we talk about what actually happens, to families and how we can affect the outcomes, and it happens in races. Such talk a lot about this. Joan on the call you in a very different situation. Because you have a democratic trifecta there. Lets talk about whether youre saying your enthusiasm and the funding that you need to keep that. Guest i think in 2013, when i first ran for the seat, republicans hundred trifecta the seats. Also in the governors office. So is a pretty momentous year in terms of trying to split those chambers and also to talk about why it is in is so important at the level we Pay Attention to. Some of those reasons is why i jumped into it. Because they were a lot of efforts to do things that for me just part what i thought, the valiance needed. There were efforts to strip education to a funding for it to be a product of the Public Education from them something that was hard to stand by and just watch it happen and not step in to run for a seat. And to continue to fight for the no is a steppingstone for so many students argued i think 20, we had a lot of momentum to see a change at the state legislative level. Especially after the previous session. We were very successful in flipping the seat senate. But i think that momentum continued especially after the 2017th legislative session. We really did do a lot of things to push forward legislation and to invest in Public Education. Thats just one example. But also to invest in the things that i think we know that communities wanted. In 2018, we have an opportunity to expand her majority in the assembly and the state senate. I also had a governor race on the ballot. And for the first time in 20 years we elected a democratic governor which was a huge change for the state. And then the state senate we were able to grow our majority by picking up several other swing states are now and Senate Majority, which is, when i entered into the legislator, it was 11 and there were 13 member. We picked up a couple of women and swing states were amazing candidates. Emily, and allowing us to build that case. And coming out of that session in 2019. Think we been able to make the case as to why it is, why it matters but the legislative level. I think very similar to the ohio and North Carolina promises are that weve done nevada movement. Its one of a series of values and things that we are working towards, last legislative session in 2019. Weve done a lot of really, instrument of things really do help. We protected traditions of the state level. It is something that we now, it was under attack at the federal level. Something that will make a difference for make a living here in nevada. Right now we are currently working through a study to build election here in the state. And healthcare which im personally working on. In theres a huge concern only for nevada hands but also a place that we can make some substantial changes at the state level the state legislation. We have like the trust nevada womens act. And for abortion and access for Movement Healthcare in nevada. Lets an important step in protecting Womens Healthcare. We instituted paid sick leave. Weve increased the minimum wage here in the state. We passed background checks. We also have a huge piece of legislation or nevada. We had a female Majority Legislature and the biggest question ive had to answer is what happens when women are in charge . What happens when theres more women than men that can effectuate real change or are we not going to be able to address those things to everyday folks . I think one of the things im most proud of this legislative session as weve been am able to answer that question with when women lead, when decisions are being made we are actually instituting and passing legislative items that affect peoples lives and affect them in a way that is supported and builds the kind of communities that we love to live and work in and i think that message, im happy that momentum continues and were seeing that here is that we can elect women and we can affect real change. That women are amazing leaders and amazing legislators and matters having women in the legislature. People want to know the importance of electing women as well as electing democrats. Its a great story. And i wanted to turn to you. You are in a less happy position. You have a republican trifecta while you struggle with one of the worst covid outbreaks in the nation. But i know theres good news there. I believe that at least in the house every republican has a challenger so there are more people stepping up and a lot of them happen to be women. Tell us about the scenario in florida. Id love to. So out of 120 house numbers there are only 47 democrats and that does include swings like myself so we were 41 before 2018. So we got a lot of work to do in the state of florida and candidly we have competitive competitive democratic primaries while ive invested my own pc money in because im supporting strong democrats who are women taking on democrats who do not support abortion access, whose support voucher schools over Public Schools and its important we hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard so unfortunately for florida i can say we have the same type of crafted message that my colleagues could be sharing in such a cool way but we are kind of focused on this notion of lets redefine what it means to be ademocrat in florida and hold ourselves accountable. That was part of my election as well. When and i made a decision to run for office emilys list, not every member of the Democratic Party from tallahassee had my back and there was a preference to define a winner as a wealthy white man with the name id who could self fund his campaign so i was not even considered until my first month when i raise 50,000 from individual donors that the Democratic Party in my state started taking me more seriously and i was proud to run a Campaign Funded by people and as really challenged the grip of corporations in our state. Florida unfortunately has really been abused by the highest bidders if you will, we have one of the lowest Corporate Income tax rates in the country and an aggressive tax system, tons of loopholes and its environment are everyday people continue to suffer and covid19 has put a microscopic on that read the broken unemployment system, access to health care and i think this pandemic has elevated the points you make on the house floor sitting in the back rows and now more people are getting engaged for the first time which gives me a lot of hope for 2020 and for the future. And in particular many folks who voted for our Governor Ron Desantis have been questioning that decision to vote for him so our current Democratic Party has been working hard we just exceeded the by mailballot request in the state. So there are some exciting trends and i want to give a shout out to ruthless and emilys list and our national and state partners who been helping build this momentum im very hopeful that we do have a lot of work to do in florida. Just to follow up pretty novel for a first term to give money to democratic challengers. So im impressed, how is that received . Thank you. Its always going to be next. I think its untraditional for a democrat to hold themselves accountable and i have always been the opposite. I have been bold in calling out my own party when decisions are made that dont reflect our values and if we dont have values and what do we have . How do we inspire democrats to vote democrat if they feel like were are just the same Area Operations tell us for not focused on the issues workingclass class people face and the influence of corporations in these races is often a determiner of how someone votes whether its Renewable Energy or workers rights, whether its a Public School versus charters and vouchers. It sounds clichc but you follow the money and its clear where the money comes from. One of the members of the walmart family donated tens of thousands of dollars to a committee that is provoucher and this committee is already running at, some actually illegal in these competitive democratic primaries porting the democrats who vote with republican. I want to go back to tallahassee with a caucus that united and aligns on values where we can guarantee a promise versus all over the place so ive been blessed to raise at this point about 260,000 and so both my Campaign Account and my committee have given me an opportunity to cut checks with other candidates as we embark on this election cycle but we raised a lot of money and if im going to be able to help my colleagues and ensure you that i continue to serve in my district i need to raise a lot more money it consistently is a stressor for me for fundraising where last two because of our values of not taking corporate money, weve attracted so manyfirsttime donors and im super blessed in that way. Thats great. Going to go to audience questions a littlebit earlier than we intended to because we have a ton of them. Im going to start with kenzie who asks what skills have you brought with you into elected office that you are the most surprised you needed and im going toturn that the city. I think the skill that has come in especially when we have the majority for republicans as a family law attorney i deal with diametrically opposed people every day dealing with custody or their kids or their money and everything and i deal with high stress situations. When i bring and one of the School Skills that spend most useful is the way to negotiate and talk to people and be able to fashion some legislation, i believe a Good Government is about fashioning legislation so that no one should walk away from the table without giving and getting something and i have the ability as a social worker to assess situations and bring some levity sometimes in some stressful situations that happen in the assembly a lot after youve been there or hours on end and youre in session at 3 am and people are getting punchy. You just have to be able to have the ability to connect with somebody across the aisle regardless of their political affiliation to get great legislation done. That sent from my own personal experiences terrific. And an odd theres a question for you specifically. You want to mention any of the florida races you are excited about . We have mentioned some incredible candidates running and go to my website and not for florida. Com, youve endorsed at Different Levels of government, especially house races so wehave folks like angie nixon running in jacksonville and she is a fierce woman of color , union member, smallbusiness owner challenging one of the democrats who have been bad on most of our issues. And then we have Michelle Raynor, civil rights attorney and she supported trade on martins family. Shes arock star. We have a Lottery Party , running against another bad democrat that im super excited to be supporting and then we have folks running in swing seats that they barely lost. They lostit last cycle by 34 votes. He is running in south florida as well so weve been getting engaged at all levels, primaries and nonprimaries and i just started making donations myself but weve been promoting candidates and later tonight ive been hosting a virtual fundraiser for two of our endorsed candidates, Michelle Raynor and jessica harringtonboth in the tampa area, one running in primary and another trying to flip a seat but were trying to score hopes however we can. You mentioned that all politics is local. Whats animportant local state issue youre leading on that needs more National Attention and im going to go to amelia. My favorite things to talk about always is healthcare and i have a Public Health degree and have spent my six years in legislature talking about how important Public Health and Public Health infrastructure is to the wellness of ourcommunities. And during this crisis it is very clear that we have not done enough to invest in Public Health or good health and wellness of our population. When we look at the ridiculous attacks that happened to our state Health Director that led her to ultimately resign, it is very clear we have a lot of work to do. We are not quite at florida level in terms of how we kind of threat shut back up but its become very clear that we didnt have anything in place to help us navigate this and even when we have great leadership at the Health Department we couldnt carry out the work that she needed to do because the resources were there and people didnt understand and appreciate things like Contact Tracing is not a government way to find out whats going on in your life, its a way to save lives so all the ways that the covid crisis has been politicized goes back to the fact that people have not taken much back into our department of Public Health and its been mostly underfunded, at one point a turnpike rector was running it in ohio so when you look at those types of things and those failures to invest over several years and you have a Global Pandemic it is scary. I continue to have conversations with colleagues who dont even believe in Public Health and how it makes sense in order for us to be healthy, to continue. One of the biggest conversations is we have to reopen space. We need to make sure theyre putting folks in place so we have to shut down and that argument is just circular and cyclical and it goes round and round because its very challenging and then when you add on top of that the pandemic of covid but also the pandemic of racism as a Public Health crisis and the fact that black people, hispanics or latinos in ohio are overwhelmingly the majority of cases, we have a problem and we have some things that can help with the Health Disparities but between theHealth Disparities with infant mortality , heart disease, diabetes, weve been talking about for a long time it should have been clear to our leadership we need to direct our resources to communities are unwilling or unable i should say to fight off the virus in the same kind of way. So we know public something that is preventable and we didnt have to ask all of these unnecessary deaths and illness around our black and brown communities and it was a failure of leadership to even think about the people in our state who would need that extra help with more arms wrapped around them, a different culturally competent method that we did not see and we continue not to have and were several months into it and the response to the disparities is devastating and particularly devastatingfor the community i represent as a black woman , what does that mean for my friends and family and those who are closest to me. I will always talk about Public Health until im blue in the face because it is to me the biggest economic driver of this community in the state but also the most important thing is the quality of life someone has is completely tied to whether or not they feel well, i have Good Mental Health and we really need to spend more time talking about, investing in and trusting in our buyin. Excellence, trust in science. Dd, do you want to jump in on that at all . Id add the other important part is how states piece of legislation, i was happy to be one of the primary sponsors in North Carolina that not only provided paid family leave for both parttime but fulltime workers and as a Small Business owner its hard for me to compete with the amazons of the world. I dont have the margins to be able to provide 12 weeks of paid leave so if we had an insurance model which is the sole standard model we filed in North Carolina we have the opportunity to provide people to leave inNorth Carolina. North carolina is abysmal, having had to, when i was recovering from Breast Cancer my family members were able to take time off but that they paid family leave, theres so manyrestrictions with regards to that. Testify about my paid family leave so in congress and one of the subcommittees dealing with china, the expansion of fmla lowers and models state, be apartner in the federal government but also in the states. We need to be doing that ourselves and thats one of the things that of course we didnt get it hurt, we had our Public Sector stay quiet in both facilities but i dont think that means we pick up marble and go home. We have to push forward and let people know what our message is that paid family leave is important and Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina which we failed to pass well but those two policies in North Carolina i wanted to follow up because i know you were diagnosed with Breast Cancer right before your victory and you were trying to cover and get treatment but you wound up going to work the cause there was a particularly draconian awful piece of abortion legislation that you felt your voice was needed on. The you want to talk about that at all . Just briefly in september 2018 a month and a half before the election when i was running for the first time i ended up being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in august and ive been fortunate, i had Good Health Insurance and have a great family but there were so many other people who didnt have that so i never thought about dropping out. I took three weeks off to recover, came back on the campaign trail and one in november and then the week after the election i went and had more treatment and then got sworn in. I finished radiation the day i before i was sworn in and that was great and thought i was done but unfortunately in may i have an abnormal mammogram on my other side ended up having tohave another mastectomy. During that time i had been open , if you go out for three weeks on the campaign trail people are like whats going on. There has to be someillicit thing that happened. I didnt have the option to be able to grieve or deal with my audience, it was public but i used it as a platform for Medicaid Expansion so if they were trying to , the North Carolina house, and i needed to have a second mastectomy. That bill made it through all of our chambers throughout the country and it was an antiabortion bill. He told his members and the Republican House, thatsthe best way the governor had vetoed it. It was the first bill he vetoed and he told them thats the best way to get through thatlegislation was to do well. So he up underestimated by our ability to put my own physical pain aside in. I couldnt allow all of the energy, all of the every Single Person for four in North Carolina and to be a voice for women and hold the line, to have that without me there and we had close numbers so less than two weeks after my second mastectomy i came in. I didnt tell him so it was a surprise to him and i came in a in and day out and even after another 65republicans on that side of the aisle , they knew i was still recovering and should be home. And on the third day he said please do not come in. I have mastectomies and you need to be at home recovering area youre going to do for yourself or your children or your constituents if you cant take care of yourself so one of the 65 members out of the republicans stood up and said if they called a vote they would have to walk out on the floor so im thankful for letting me take an extra week off but i had already planned to do so those are some of the tactics that unfortunately weve had to deal with in northcarolina. Im so sorry, again it just happened to be a woman who stood up and saidthat to you. I dont think its a coincidence but its sad that it had to come to that point. Thanks for sharing though, i really appreciate it. A question for all of you. Ruby says youre all fabulous, first of all. And she wants to know who is a woman or women who helped inspire you to become the leader you are today . Ill start with nicole. So hearing in nevada i would be read this if i didnt, if i didnt acknowledge the first female speaker of the assembly who actually, the speaker of the assembly when i was an intern at the Legislature Many years ago. I think able to see either Barbara Buckley is a nevada trailblazer, the first female to hold the position of speaker in the assembly, to watch her in that session not only lead a chamber but to make good decisions and to watch her be the kind of leader thatyou would want regardless to be strong in that capacity , i think really did influence me and really did when times are tough in this job, when youre wondering whether or not you have another date of fight, you need to have people like that who have laid out the trail for all of us. Being able to watch that one daily basis during the legislative session, just a legal intern at the legislature really did inspire me to never give up and to never quit so i know shes had a huge impact and i know normally getting into Public Office and deciding that this was something i could do but also in my time in Public Office, to be somebody who i could ask questions to and had provided guidance along the way. I think has been instrumental and certainly when i stepped into the position of the majorityleader in the senate , was able to talk to me about what its like to be in that role so thats what i see as a source of inspiration and of course i come from a long line of really fabulous women and either way my mother and my grandmother were fighters and never gave up and always encouraged me toget up and speak up. And i think i just wouldnt be the woman i am today. I wouldnt be the elected official that i am today without that strong background to so i have to give them some props. Thats great and anna, i saw you nodding. I mentioned my twin sister earlier but for any florida watching my sister is a badass and we are very close. I tell people we are womb to tomb, she hates it when i say that but shes always been my empathy partner, my friend and shes a rock star. And im getting my phd right now at the university of Central Florida though theres been many professors in my life who have believed in me and one of the people that comes to mind is doctor Maria Christina santana and shes always just been another from academic ones, push me to think critically and had supported me in all my aspirations. She was one of my first boxes at planned parenthood, jenna tosh , Barbara Jarecki who i know is watching and even our newest ceos locally who i didnt have a chance to work with too much, stephanie frame but these are all folks that have given their life to Reproductive Health and justice and really dived into challenging circumstances that continue to rise and i think without a doubt my mom who i only know or 13 years in my life and her name was nasty and cheese went to this country with nothing and was always sosecure in her body and skin and money was something that stressed her out. I am who i am today because of my angel mother, every day pushes me because how hard you want to achieve the American Dream never could make it and died too young to see her daughters graduate from highschool let alone college. So everything i do is in her honor and she is a Guiding Light for me that keeps me up at night working, helped me get up in the morning. And continue to fight for the good people of florida. Thank you for that question and i would have to say my mother withouta doubt. Beyond the fact that she raised me and births me and all that great stuff there. She also was an elected official and as i said before she was the first black woman to serve at the city council at large and i often joke about most people they allow their children to hear Classical Music in in utero but instead she subjected me to fighting with the mayor though thats what i learned to do. Shes always been incredible in her strength and her leadership and she always looks flawless doing it so its something i can emulate and im always trying to be like her. One thing that is always funny to talk about his or her maiden name is strong and my middle name is strong she wanted to make sure my sister and i have her Family Connection to our name like my father so when i tell people that strong is my middle name they think its cute and funny but it really is my middle name is me and sure that i make not only my fathers family proud of my mothers family proud but when you have a family name like strong there arehigh expectations. My mother has run statewide. She won races, won and lost races but shes been grateful in her wins and she has been the best political operative as i navigate what its like being a state representative or being a minority leader. She always seems to know everythingbefore it happens. So shes kind of like a fortuneteller or profit and i could always rely on her counsel and advice and im so grateful that i have her in my life to be able to help me in this journey you certainly know that brett of women who hold us up and sometimes catch us when we fall is so necessary in this work and when its your mother its just extra special. I could go down a list of other people but shes top 100 on this list and maybe other folks like Shirley Chisholm or some other really phenomenal women in the state of all i own and have been great thus far im so grateful for her and her love and counsel and shes been a rock star to me and certainly my rock. I want to make sure to get sidney in here because weare almost out of time. Ill say quickly Shirley Chisholm is somebody who i think is absolutely amazing and has just been at the forefront of so many wonderful things for women of color in particular. Butthe other thing i would say also is just my mother. You always raised us to be strong and independent. When we were little my mother grew up and she was, my mother was raised by her grandmother and my grandmother, im a single parent and she put herself through undergrad and medical school, had a High School Diploma so the women in my life have been able to continue to push forward every single generation to do better is my grandmother and my mother and she never wanted us to be dependent on anyone including a man so she said i dont care what happens, education is going to by far the best way for you to take care of yourself and your children so if something happens be it through your spouse passing or getting a divorce you need to be able to take care of yourself and your babies will thats one of the driving forces of her making sure we push ourselves and it was a very tough love. Shes a new yorker and she always said i want to make sure no one else can say anything youve never heard from your mother because no one can hurt your feelings and youll be impervious and she gave us thatencouragement. Youve got to have a whole lot of bricks so im really happy that ive been honored tohave her. I think thats a wonderful way to end. Youve been a great panel and we will hear more from amelia shortly and i want to thank you all for being here. I cant wait to meet you one of these days down the road. Thank you. Congratulations. So i think stephaniejoined us shortly. And i just wanted to say a huge thanks to joan walsh for that wonderful panel of our gabriellegiffords rising star. What a great, great group and just real quickly to end on everybody talking about their mothers got me thinking. I lost my mother 13 years ago and im pretty sure shes looking down upon all of us right now with a big huge smile , just knowing that the leadership of this nation after watching, its in good hands. It just makes all the difference in the world to have women like our Gabrielle Giffords in the state legislatures riding on the front lines of all of these battles, for reproductive rights and Voting Rights and civil rights and and more and everything. We know it takes courage to lead in the best of times but in the middle of covid19 these women are making lifeanddeath decisions for their communities every day so it is fitting that we honor them with these nominations for an award named after Gabrielle Giffords, a woman who is the very definition of courage, resilience and strength. And now it is my great honor to turn it over to her, former congresswoman arielle giffords. Thank you gabby. These are scary times. Racism, sexism , lies, violence. Its time to stand up for whats right. Its time for courage. We must do something. We must stop gunviolence. Protect our children, let them lead the way. Make our country a safer place, a better place. You have the courage to fight, please join us in this fight. Thank you very much. Thank you gabby. We do have the courage to fight and were going to stand by you every step of the way. You are and always will be such an important part of our emilys list family gabby, thank you for being with us. Now have the pressure of introducing this years gabriellegiffords Rising Star Award winner. Our previous winners including stacy abrams and Ayanna Presley have big shoes to fill that i have no doubt she can fill them. In so many ways shes the perfect leader for such a time and place. As a minority leader in the ohio house she dedicated her career ending systemic racism and oppression , to ensuring we have more black women leading at every level of government , fighting for fair redistricting and now shes getting her state through this pandemic. This is a woman who takes on the tough fights and she wins them. A woman who knows how to get stuff done so under her leadership the amount of Bipartisan Legislation passed i the ohio house is nearly doubled. We think thats pretty impressive. We were proud of what shes done and so excited. Now its my great honor to turn it over to our 2020 rising star winner, ohio highs House Minority leader linea sykes. Amelia, congratulations and for all youve already done. Thank you so very much. Good afternoon emilys list thank you stephanie for that lovely generous introduction area i appreciate the opportunity to be with all of you today and i trust there are several hundred of you on the other side of the computer screen who are just as excited as i am about to electing and supporting women candidates in 2020. My name is amelia sykes and im excited to be state representative for my hometown akron ohio which is known as the birthplace of champions and im honored to serve as minority leader of the ohio house Democratic Caucus area winning the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award is a true honor and im thankful to be recognized for my dedication to supporting and elevating the voice of thewomen and families in ohio. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the phenomenal nominees, anna eskamani, Mary Gonzalez and Senate Majority leader nicole cannizzaro. Allpowerful, strong principled women bar leading the change in State Government throughout our country. Ive enjoyed getting to know you all electronically of course and i call it an honor and a privilege to be recognized alongside of you area i also feel a debt of gratitude to the woman with this auspicious award is for and thanks congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for her courage, bravery and leadership. Also id like to thank the women who are lighting a path for me to follow and women like me to follow. When people ask me how i got here the answer is always no, and statically know. 10 years ago if youd have told me i would be an elected official let alone leading the most diverse Democratic Caucus in ohio history with a majority female Leadership Team i would not havebelieved you are a second. Because my goal in life was to be the visible answer at the alvin ailey dance theater. I loved to dance but i never saw dancers who looked like me until i saw alvin ailey. Watching the beautiful elegant lack and brown bodies grace the stage let me know i could be there too. There was aplace for me to live out my dream. There was a space for me. However when a seat opened up to run for state representative i felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to serve my community. The place and the people who raised my sister and i and to take their voices to the house and ive been grateful to that ever since. While representing my hometown has been the greatest honor of my life the job has not come without its challenges. Between challenging the many legislative issues ive had the additionalchallenge of simply entering into the hall of the ohio state house. Let me explain area on a regular basis whileattempting to enter the statehouse , the peoples house, i was stopped, searched, questioned about why i wasthere. And at first i brushed it off as the new enhanced security for building but it became apparent that this treatment was reserved just for me. Often i was stopped while legislative aides and lobbyists want to buy talking at me while metal detectors ran over my body and the state troopers searched my personal effects leaving me to feel vulnerable and violated without cause and the very statehouse my people elected me to serve in. Nonetheless i went about my days fighting for better lives and brighter futures for ohio because as women these types of injustices are fairly common but one day i had enough. I was walking into the statehouse with a colleague of mine and although i showed my lapel pin and id badge i was stopped once again. My white male colleagues who were led through without incident and validated my employment and it still wasnt enough to get the trooper to let me in who complained he was not letting him until he searched me. After a bit of backandforth i was let in after not being searched and i asked the trooper why you were let in the buildingand his response was simple he said you dont look like a legislator. I cant see you all but usually when i tell that story jaws drop and audible gasps can be heard and it is true, he said i didnt look like a legislator. That phrase with me because as i walked through the halls of the statehouse and saw porches of governors and speakers, Senate President and lawmakers he was right. I didnt look like a legislator. The people displayed on the walls of the statehouse were mostly white men. In fact it wasnt a single black woman legislator under the age of 30 anywhere. This wasnt like the representation i have seen desire to be a part of at the l alvin ailey americandance theater where people who look like me were represented. The ohio state house is not a place where ilooked like i belonged. That interaction had a light on the fact that it wasnt only that trooper who could not imagine a young black woman but hold the position of influence and power of that person could look like me but was also the people i worked with, my colleagues and the general public were also not use to seeing a young black woman have the capacity to hold a position of power. Not only was it unfamiliar, was unwelcome and me know in many ways including not letting me into the building singlehandedly attempting to invalidate the will of tens of thousands of voters elected me to represent them in the very place did not want me to enter. But what does a legislator look like . What does the face of leadership look like . Why doesnt it look like me and why couldnt it or shouldnt it look like me but the reality is it is me. I am a leader and i do look like a legislator and i look like a mayor and a congresswoman and a governor and yes, the president of the United States. With the help of a few friends and a Sorority Sister i engaged women across ohio and the country to talk to them about their stories and although validating they were also heartbreaking is a shared similar stories where their mere presence was challenged simply becausethey were a woman , a black woman that and we launched a hashtag and a movement called on, the beginning of our movement to claim our space where decisions are made. To demand not ask for our rightful place as a strong collective voice, we belong here. Whether you like it or not. Imagine having to explain to someone outside of the building why i should get inside that building knowing that as minority leader ive led a caucus that has passed more bills in our first year in either of the two previous combined for that i joined my colleagues to formations first statelevel black Maternal Health caucus to improve Maternal Health outcomes across ohio or that i was the lead sponsor of house bill one that offers protection to victims of dating violence and i sponsored a bill that made sure that when an unfair criminal Justice System wrongfully imprisoned someone they can be financially compensated for an unthinkable justice and so the ability to talk to you today so confidently about why i belong here and why its not just because i am a woman or a black woman that makes me a good legislator, its because im good at what i do. Im smart, imsavvy , im compassionate and im dedicated to thepeople i serve. I belong here. After 35 years of emilys list working to elect women its a shame we have to continue to have these conversations but the good news is our sisterhood is what will save us. Whether its the diva caucus are the applied, women are changing the world and i want to leave you with a quote from sojourner truth. She delivered the famous iowa women speech at the Womens Rights Convention in my hometown of akron ohio and she said this. If the first woman god ever made was Strong Enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together to be able to turn it back and get it right up again. Ladies, our world has been turned upside down but we are getting information and a better watch out because we are coming area, black women, women of color are coming to lead in statehouses, that he halls, congress and even the white house because we belong here. Thank you so much for this honor and award and i hope you all have awonderful and lovely evening. Amelia, that was awesome. You are so incredible. Thank you so much for sharing that story and im going to hold you for a moment as i want everybody to know my mouth dropped and did all the facial things you said i would do and i dont know why because i heard the exact same story from congresswoman Lauren Underwood in the us capital and congresswoman Charisse Davis in the us capital. We have to fight like hell to make sure and they go like of course, we all are strong, tough strategic smart women. Not just desert but we have our rights in governing and you my friend have all of emilys list stand with you as you make your way all the way up. I did all the way up tothe very top. You are extraordinary, thank you. Thank you so much and congratulations area you make us proud already. You got me going so many places, you are doing so good. All right. So a little change in plans. We roll with things atemilys list. So i want everybody to hang with me. I have spent weeks trying to figure out how i was going to introduce Speaker Pelosi because it isnt easy to introduce speaker policy. Theres so many things to say about Speaker Pelosi and i think i came up with something pretty good but its Speaker Pelosi and she basically is taking the country from crazy every single day including tonight and she just a little bit ago called and said i cant come, something urgent came up. She always comes its really urgent. And we always have her back and so we totally understand cause we love her and were so grateful for her but i want you to hang with me a little bit because we still want to talk about how awesome nancy pelosi is and we had Tracy Ellis Ross is going to join us in talking about how great nancy pelosi is area ive worked hard on hisinterest in going to give it to you anyway. The one thing ive always known about nancy pelosi is she is someone who likes to look forward and not back. And this is one of the things that has made her such a strong leader in these incrediblychallenging times. Someone else might look at all the work we have ahead and get discouraged but not Speaker Pelosi. People forget that when she was first elected to congress she was 47. Now, being 47 myself i feel like thats pretty young and i feel great but of course there were pundits at the time who thought that though she might have some potential they also thought it was probably too late for her to work her way up into leadership or accomplish anything. Look how wrong they were because today we have her leading house with 87 emilys list women in it and through that very scary uncertain times. And theyve laid out a vision of future for this country is big and bold and optimistic on healthcare and Voting Rights and gun safety and Climate Change and choice. Their writing and passing amazinglegislation on all these issues. And then it all goes over to Mitch Mcconnells graveyard on the senate side. To never be seen again. And i cant even overstate a monumental achievement it was to get the care act passed in this climate. And she has clearly laid down the marker for what this country needs the heroes act and weve got to back her up but its up to the senate to pass it. Now, with the void in leadership at the very top of this countryright now , i dont even want to imagine how bad things would be without nancy pelosi but i cant. Its super scary. So we have to. Elect before emilys list women are going to flip the Senate Majority and then wisely follow her lead and Speaker Pelosi, i hope you hear me and we plan to not only hold the majority but make it stronger as you deserve even more reinforcement. We are just so honored that shes been doing so muchgreat work. Were just huge gigantic fan and now im also stressed, so excited to introduce the brilliant, talented , extraordinary woman who is joining us. She was initially going to be speaker and now shes just going to kick off the evening. No pressure tracy, not at all area for all of you listening you likely know Tracy Ellis Ross or playing joan crayton on eight seasons of girlfriend. And for her golden globe winning portrayal of johnson on the abc comedy blackish. Shes an awardwinning actress, producer and director who currently teaches in the Focus Features home behind out i personally highly recommend. It was so good tracy and ive been wanting to see it and i said im going to watch this movie, its so good and she served as the ceo and found a pattern, this is super cool. A hair care plan that she created for the curly and type textured mouses. Tracy, you use your social influence to advocate for a joyful future so we talk a lot about joy and emilys list and also about inclusivity and the equity across all industries. All industries. So we are so excited he can join us and tracy, im so glad youre here. Im totally fan growing and im leading the way. Im so happy to be here. This is definitely a pit. I got the call 15 minutesago. Its like boom and hereyou are, amazing. I thank you so much for that beautiful introduction and also for having me today. I will say that i was very excited. I was excited to the most powerful woman in american politics but as you know, where you are the third highest ranking elected official in this country with all of those things you just listed, sometimes theres schedule changes. And we honor them area and we honor them because she is doing the good work shes staying focused on what we need her hand involved in so im so grateful that there was a chance i could be having this problem area. But youre right, he is the third most powerful person in the country, what are you going to do . You got things to doand this was not the moment so thats fine. Thank you for having me. This is always, you guys do such wonderful work and listening to what i have been able to listen to i wasnt trying to fit, and make some words to say and i will take the crown off youjust gave me. You saying i was taking the keynote spot, im not doing it. I my expectations will be lowered, we will not have that. I was going to set the stage and present the questions that would allow the speaker of the house to do what she does best butill say a couple of things and we can bow out and you can have the rest of the platform but thank you for having me today and for all the work you do and i think this is the anniversary so congrats on that. So i will say that these are just a couple of words that i wanted to share which is that as we all know were in a delicate and transformative moment as we reconcile the inequity that is built into the fabric of this country and as we persist towards the promise of our democracy. And in order to ensure that this is not just a way but a sea change in thewords of emilys list , that this is a movement and not a moment, that we must make lasting policy changes. We must make lasting policy changes in the areas of healthcare and reproductive rights, owner suppression, Police Report and in order to change the laws we must change the lawmakers. And madame speaker has said that nothing is more handsome for the political process and greater participation from women. That when women win, america wins or as i like to say when she wins, we went. Hundred 16 congress is the most diverse in history yet we as a country have an enormous amount of work ahead of us in making our government more effective of the people it serves. We saw women win elections in multiple states, a number of women like candace balance my lot, jack and gordon are on theballot in november. So as we look ahead to the next 35 years or so Democratic Womens leadership and as we sit on the precipice of building upon historic gains, a historic gains of 2018 we must have more women at the table and we women come exponentially more powerful if you are a group of diverse women. Because issues that affect women and especially fivepart women should not be considered but prioritized. Women have always been at the center of economic, social and cultural changein this country. Our leadership is often utilized without being centered and when we stand togetherworking towards achieving power , when we support other women who are working to create progressive change in this country we all win. Everyone wins. So the one thing that i wanted sort of a call to action to everybody listening , i wish i could see everybodys faces but if you imagine that your liberation is bound to the most frightening and disenfranchised woman in this country and if you are only as strong as the most Vulnerable Women in this country, and if the greatest error of privilege is to go on use, then what is the thing that each of you are intent on using your power and privilege to change . And what and each of us use our radical imagination to reenvision. And so i just leave you with those questions because i think we often forget but if we are only as long as our most vulnerable neighbor how can we use our strength, our power, our privilege to make sure that we are living in a reimagined world and that the lawmakers actually reflect our community and that we can have a just and equal society and i think women are always at the center of that and we know nancy pelosi is and i wish that she had been here but shes doing important work and im so grateful you all have me and i wish you a good day, a good evening there. Most of you, where are you . Tracy, thank you so much im in maine and i think california, we are having a sea to shining sea moment together. They cannot thank you enough for sticking with us, for having and offering the remarks that were certainly worthy of keynote status. You, your story and the stories that you tell through your work every day are the stories that inspire women like me, the women who work at emilys list and women not just across the country but around the world to think bigger, to use those radical imagination , to imagine Something Better for women today, tomorrow and every day. You are, i got to tell you, youre stuck with emilys list now. Youre on the list okay, is all i have to say and were so excited you could join us and i want to thank you again for helping us and today on a high note, hows that . That was impressive. I do my best, ill be here all night. I want to now turn back to our incredible audience thats with us tonight and i have to say today has been so powerful and if youre feeling as inspired as i am right now please take a moment to let us know that. You might have not seen it yet but if you go to the homepageof this event , you can write up a note you can leave us a sticky note, maybe send us a picture of you having a cocktail right now as you close out tonight with us to send us your favorite quote from today or maybe a 35th anniversary wish for emilys list and please keep exploring the site area i dont know about you but i visited the shop earlier during one of the panels and ive already purchased two pins and six church that are on their way to me in the next week and i cant wait to wear them this fall but you can stay connected to emilys list every day. Join us on our text platform as well and text the word elect to 47717 read that elect to 47717 and you can get updates on the rising stars that you saw earlier tonight, on the work of our women and what they need to win their election and speaking of those who make our work possible which include all of you i want to take a moment to acknowledge the elected leaders are sponsors of this event and remember you can see all the generous authors on our acknowledgments page right here. I want to thank senator tammy duckworth, senator dick durbin, editor maisie her own no, editor campaign, i was there kilmer, jackie rosen, leader chuck schumer, senator john tester senator sheldon whitehouse, all of them have offered a extra special support and leadership for this event so lets end up on this note. Night was amazing. Tomorrow is also going to be amazing. We start tomorrow at 1 pm eastern with a special presentation on elections and Voting Rights. Hear more about what were doing to make sure we will be able to vote safely and freely this november and then join us again at 3 30 eastern for a presentation from singer lima james for a panel of some amazingwomen members of the house , a special performance rocker melissa etheridge, remarks now rescheduled from the one and only your nancy policy has already agreed to be on our program. Yes, shes coming and we have a panel of those for senate women will take back the senate this fall. San Francisco Mayor linden breeds, founder , emilys list president Stephanie Schriock will be back and were going to end with a special conversation featuring actress Eva Nicole Brown and our four we are emily Award Winners area you know them as the four senators who ran for president. Senator kristin joel peralta, and were so honored to be celebrating 35 years of building power for prochoice Democratic Women with all of you. Today, tomorrow and every day. Iq for joining us this afternoon and tonight and for being part of the emilys list community and our neverending movement to collect more women. Thank you, have a greatnight and we will see you very soon. During the summer months reach out to your elected officials with cspan congressional directory containing all the Contact Information you need to stay in touch with members of congress, federal agencies and state governors. Order your copy online today at cspan store. Org. [background sounds]