EMILY's List women changing the world

The Daily Beast will host their third annual Women in the World summit this week, a gathering of women working for global change. They recently highlighted 150 Fearless Women, recognized for “fostering a brave new generation” and “making their voices heard.” At EMILY’s List, we know the power of bringing a woman’s voice to the table - how it not only changes the discussion, but changes the outcome as well. So it was nice, but not surprising, to see so many of our alums (and a candidate) on this list of women who are changing the world.

Hillary Clinton’s political career as a First Lady, senator, and Secretary of State has inspired and impacted women across the nation and around the world. Her famous 1995 declaration that “human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights” set the tone for the policies she has championed, including health care reform, and rights for women and girls, which she calls the “unfinished business of the 21st century.”

It’s hard to think of a politician more fearless or inspirational than Gabrielle Giffords. Her recovery has inspired the nation, and her commitment to public service and the needs of her constituents are an excellent reminder of the real potential of American politics. While in the House, Giffords served on the House Science and Technology Committee, and worked to encourage young women to not only participate, but excel, in these fields.

When Kirsten Gillibrand finds a cause to champion, she is persistent and sees it through to the end. Her work to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” and to establish compensation for 9/11 responders helped bring about solutions to problems that had existed for far too long. She recently won another battle to ban insider trading in Congress, when her STOCK act received rare bipartisan support. Kamala Harris was elected California’s first female attorney general in 2011 and she’s been fighting for California families ever since. She walked away from a proposed mortgage settlement because it failed to include enough money and protected banks from further legal liability. It wasn’t an acceptable solution for California, the state worst hit by the mortgage meltdown, but she worked until a real solution for American families was found.

Jackie Speier did something no man in Congress could ever do. She gave a voice to women facing one of the most difficult decisions in their lives when she bravely shared that she had had an abortion due to a medical complication during her pregnancy. This was a crucial reminder that the membership of Congress needs to be a representation of the people of the United States, both men and women.

Massachusetts senate candidate Elizabeth Warren has become an icon for the middle class. Her leadership on the Congressional Oversight Panel on TARP and the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has helped to hold big banks and mortgage giants accountable. Her work will protect American women and families and strengthen the middle class – and we need her voice in the Senate.

Having these women included in policy discussions not only has a positive impact on women and families in the US, but around the world. Each one of these women has accomplished so much, just think what could be accomplished if there were even more women like them at the table.

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