Moms’ rights at center stage in election season By KATIE DOBIES, Medill News Service
Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
WASHINGTON — Wearing lipstick or not, the nation’s hockey moms, soccer moms and career moms have become a hot topic this election season with spotlight on Sarah Palin, Alaska governor, Republican vice presidential nominee and mom of five.
But while much of the debate has focused on everything from Palin’s speaking skills to her hair style, some mothers’ advocacy groups are concerned with more pressing matters, particularly issues that affect today’s working mom, like fair wages, maternity leave and child care.
According to Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director of MomsRising.org, Palin’s candidacy is the perfect stage for promoting the rights of working mothers because Palin is a working mother herself.
“Moms have been incredibly invisible in our nation,” Rowe-Finkbeiner said. “Over three-quarters of moms are in the labor force. And over 80 percent of women do have kids by the time they’re 44 years old, so it’s the majority of women. But the motherhood issues haven’t been out front and center as much as they should be.”
MomsRising.org is an online grassroots mothers’ advocacy group co-founded by Rowe-Finkbeiner and Joan Blade two years ago that claims more than 150,000 members. While it does not endorse individual candidates, the organization does take stands on legislation on both the national and state level, most recently advocating for paid sick leave legislation in Ohio.
Rowe-Finkbeiner said the issues are more important to MomsRising.org than Palin’s candidacy or partisan politics.
On Wednesday, Rowe-Finkbeiner and about 15 other moms went to Palin’s gubernatorial office in the Hall of States on Capitol Hill to present an open letter signed by more than 21,000 mothers nationwide. The letter asked Palin for her stance on workplace issues like fair pay, maternity leave and paid sick leave that concern mothers.
But the group was turned away by a guard in the lobby who said they were not allowed to deliver the letter.
“We just wanted to drop it off,” Rowe-Finkbeiner said. “We wanted to do a mom-delivery. If regular moms can’t even drop off a letter, that’s ridiculous.”
While Rowe-Finkbeiner and her crew were disheartened, they said they are not about to let their voices be silenced.
Tracy North, 36, a librarian and mother of a 9-month-old girl, said she attended the event to show her support for mother and family issues in the workplace.
“I personally don’t identify with (Palin), but I’m happy to see that this country is recognizing a woman and a mother,” North said. “I like what she represents in that we should have equal representation in our electorate.”
While Palin continues to be a controversial figure, to some her rise to the political spotlight might signify a change in the way the nation views working moms.
New mom and full-time student Esther Krook-Magnuson, 27, said she thinks the face of the mom is diversifying.
“Being a mom, it’s not a defining characteristic any more — it’s more of a modifier,” Krook-Magnuson said.
“I mean you’re a mom and lots and lots of other things.”
" Referring the the content of this article, Biden has been there for women's rights.
And the question remains...WHERE IS SARAH PALIN?
lipstick when you say Palin will "shred" Biden, I hope she doesn't shoot him first...from a helicopter! "
drussel wrote on Sep 28, 2008 9:30 AM:
" lipstickrepub-The quotes below are from the Couric-Palin interview. If Palin doesn't know McCain's qualifications, how can you be so certain?
Couric: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?
Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that's paramount.
Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?
Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.
Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.
Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you. "
living in imperial wrote on Sep 28, 2008 7:36 AM:
" I don't understand hatred for political candidates. Particularly against someone like John McCain. I can certainly understand not voting for him. But hating him, Ms Patty? Why? I know, I know, you didn't actually use the word "hate." But your post is laced with hatred. Not to mention racism and sexism. I have a lot of respect for McCain and I don't think any fair person would call him "McLoser." You go spend some time in a POW camp and we'll see how much of a winner you are. Nothing against Obama, either. I think he's a good guy, too. I don't HATE either of them. Hell, I don't even hate George Bush. I don't know him. It wouldn't be fair to hate him. I may disagree with some of his decisions, but I don't hate him. I dislike people like Michael Moore, who essentially set up phoney interviews to slant his "documentaries" with his propaganda. But I can't say I hate him for it. Maybe you should rethink your life, Ms. Patty. "
lipstickrepub wrote on Sep 28, 2008 6:35 AM:
" Ms.Hearst, I hope you're right about Palin becomming president. Our country would be in very good hands. She has the leadership skills as well as the fight to become another Ronald Reagan. I can't help but praise John McCain's judgement in picking Sarah Palin. She will surely shred Joe Biden Thursday night. "
Triplemeh wrote on Sep 28, 2008 2:30 AM:
" Palin is such a ditz.
"That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping theit's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that."
lol wut "
Ms. PattyHearst wrote on Sep 28, 2008 12:36 AM:
" God help us all if McLoser and Palin get elected.
She is an inexperienced weenie who believes in spells and witch dr.'s.
He is a 100 yr. old George Bush Clone.
The truth of the matter is McLoser will probably get elected, why, because he's White.
Say McLoser wins-Palin will be president. Imagine that! A sure calamity! "
Log on
If you have an account already, just enter your Member ID and Password to access this page.
If you're new to our site, please create a new account.
Register FREE
To use certain features of ivpressonline.com, you must register FREE on the form provided. The Imperial Valley Press’ use of any personally identifying information you provide as part of registration is governed by the following privacy policy:
ivpressonline.com does not, and will not, release your personal information to any third party without your consent. We may, however, share some of the information we gather, in aggregate or demographic form, with advertisers and other partners. That is, we may provide general information about ways people use our site without identifying any particular individuals.
The opinions above are from readers of ivpressonline.com and in no way represent the views of the Imperial Valley Press staff or Schurz Communications Inc.
ivpressonline.com encourages readers to offer their opinions on our local stories. We ask readers keep their comments on topic and avoid derogatory comments about fellow readers. Our goal is to promote a civil discussion about the news.
We will never edit or alter comments, but we do reserve the right to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain:
Subscribe Get the Imperial Valley Press every morning at your home or office. Start a subscription for your family, for yourself or give it to someone special. Click here.
Text Message AlertsReceive text message alerts on breaking news, latest updates, sports scores, offers and much more on your cellphone or PDA. Sign up here.
RegisterRegister free and start receiving email alerts on breaking news, a sneak preview of upcoming stories, reminders and much more. Click here to begin.
About UsWant to know more about the Imperial Valley Press? Want to contact us? Get general and contact information. Click here.
mitsecl wrote on Sep 28, 2008 9:31 AM:
And the question remains...WHERE IS SARAH PALIN?
lipstick when you say Palin will "shred" Biden, I hope she doesn't shoot him first...from a helicopter! "