26 Reasons to Celebrate the 111th Congress

by Jen Nedeau · 2009-01-06 13:10:00 UTC
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As the 111th Congress is sworn in today, there are 26 reasons for feminists to celebrate: 21 new fully pro-choice members in the House and five new pro-choice seats the Senate.

Additionally, it was just announced that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (my congresswoman!) has been re-elected to be Speaker of the House, maintaining her role as the most powerful female in the United States government; third in line from the President.

The President of NARAL, Nancy Keenan writes on Huffington Post this week about how these new members of the legislature will raise the hopes of repealing of the Global Gag Rule, providing accurate sex education and protecting Roe v. Wade from being overturned. You can take a look at the total list of 2008 elected officials who will now champion women's causes compiled by NARAL here.

With the inauguration of Obama only 14 days away, today surely feels like the first step toward the future that feminists have been hoping and waiting for.

With that said - what are your hopes for the new Congress?

 

Jen Nedeau Jen Nedeau is a media relations professional and a writer based in New York City.
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