Eleanor’s Legacy Gives Critical Early Endorsement to Cindy Appleton for State Senate
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brette McSweeney
(212) 725-8825 ext. 253
brette@eleanorslegacy.com
Boosting Women’s Equality in New York State Politics:
Eleanor’s Legacy Gives Critical Early Endorsement to Cindy Appleton for State Senate
July 30, 2010, New York, N.Y. Only ten legislators in the New York State Senate are women – a share of just 16%. In a strategic effort to boost women’s election to state government, the Eleanor Legacy Roosevelt Committee (Eleanor’s Legacy) has broken with precedent and given early endorsements and campaign support to seven pro-choice Democratic candidates for the State Senate, including Cindy Appleton, candidate in the 59th State Senate district.
Eleanor’s Legacy President Nora Bredes explains, “We desperately need change in Albany, but true ethical and fiscal reform can’t happen without women at the table. Women are 52% of the population and a consistent majority of voters. We know that when women lead, the style and substance of our politics change. Governments begin to address issues like equal pay, children’s health, childcare and effective educational reform — issues that are central to effective governments and healthy families. With just ten women out of sixty-two state senators, our issues, values, and influence are undervalued and underrepresented.
“The women we’ve endorsed have years of experience in their communities or government. They’re well-educated, smart and effective. Each is running to unseat an entrenched incumbent or to reclaim an open seat. Each woman promises the change to honest, effective government we need.”
To address the need for reform and women’s equality, the board of Eleanor’s Legacy has provided seven early start grants of $1,000 each to seven state senate candidates: Cindy Appleton SD 59/Wyoming & Erie, Livingston, and Ontario Counties; Didi Barrett SD 41/Columbia & Dutchess Counties; Regina Calcaterra SD1/Suffolk County; Pam Mackesey SD 53/Tompkins County; Joanne Yepsen SD 43/Rensselaer & Saratoga Counties; Mary Wilmot SD 55 and Robin Wilt SD 56, both in Monroe County.
As a central part of this year’s efforts in many state races, Eleanor’s Legacy will track these campaigns throughout this election cycle. Eleanor’s Legacy will work to provide volunteers, campaign expertise, and other vital support to help insure electoral victories for these women and, in turn, for women and men throughout New York State.
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About the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee (Eleanor’s Legacy): Formed in 2001, this political action committee has helped elect over 450 pro-choice, Democratic women to state and local offices in NYS. Eleanor’s Legacy has provided more than$1 million in campaign support to over 1,000 candidates. Eleanor’s Legacy inspires, trains and supports promising women candidates and works enhance women’s political power and influence.
