What's On Our Mind 3-11-2022

 

Democracy is precious and fragile. We saw that in our own country when on January 6, 2021 domestic terrorists tried to overturn the results of our election. Today, we are witnessing the great lengths the Ukrainian people are going to in order to protect their young democracy. This should make us all pause to be grateful for the country we live in — despite its flaws. 

 

No matter what, we have the ability to effect change in the U.S. We can vote for the change we want and even run for office ourselves. If you are one of those people inspired to run for local office click here to attend a special Zoom program sponsored by Jewish Democratic Women for Action. 

 

But U.S. women weren’t always able to fully participate in our democracy. It took 114 years from the founding of our country for women to get the right to vote. Once we got that right to vote, we never stopped exercising that right. The women’s vote helped push President Joe Biden to victory in 2020 and elect a record number of women to Congress, state, and local offices. 

 

Women also put their dollars where it counts. During the 2020 election in state and federal races, women raised more money than in any prior cycle. But now we are seeing that women are increasingly disengaging from politics, even as the stakes are rising.

 

According to a new poll from the Women & Politics Institute at American University and the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, 41 percent of women say they’re more tuned out from politics — a 12-point increase compared to polling conducted last year. Women feel increasingly burned out, disengaged from politics, and disillusioned with elected officials. 

 

Yet 3 in 5 women say the upcoming midterm elections will be more important than many in our lifetime. Women’s issues — pay equity, Roe v Wade, protecting women from violence, health care — all depend on women remaining active and electing candidates who will ensure that these rights remain rock solid.

 

This month we celebrate the women that helped shape our nation during Women’s History month. From Rosa Parks to Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Kamala Harris, women have been an instrumental part of our heritage. But that is only because we have insisted at all costs to be at the table, part of the discussion, and in the voting booth. Women must stay involved and engaged. We need to commit to carrying on the legacy of those who fought before us and stay involved. Our lives and futures depend on it.