WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE NET W O R K NEWS A REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES OF THE WOMEN 'S LEGIS la TIVE NETWO R K OF NCSL Spring 2011 Vol. 22, No.1 Note from the President Happy spring! I know it has been a difficult few months for most legislatures around the country. I hope you are able to find solutions for challenging problems and advo- cate for your constituents’ best interests. We are all dealing with limited resources within statehouses. I would like to remind you of what we in Wyoming view as the premiere Berger resource for state legislative information in the coun- try: NCSL. Think of NCSL as your personal legislative “consultant.” Wyoming has received specialized research, training and assistance from NCSL on dozens of occasions in recent years. I hope you will think of the Women’s Legislative Network as your gateway to NCSL and the first point of contact if you need information. Please contact Katie Ziegler or Highlights of Network Events me at any time. at the Legislative Summit in San Antonio My involvement with the Network and with NCSL has given me some August 8-11 incredible opportunities. Along with a small delegation of other legisla- tors, I met with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden Check the Network agenda online at www.ncsl. during the NCSL Spring Forum in April to discuss the budget deficit org/?tabid=23037 for additional sessions and and the states’ perspectives on other critical issues. One of the most im- updated information. portant steps we can take as a nation is to maintain open communica- tion between the state and federal levels and across party lines, whether Monday, August 8 or not we see eye-to-eye with the current administration. Also during 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. the Spring Forum, the Network joined the NCSL Military and Veterans’ Network Executive Board Meeting Affairs Task Force for a visit to the Pentagon to learn more about the Rosie Berger military’s community and family policies. The group discussed several Tuesday, August 9 State Representative, Wyoming interesting ideas that we intend to explore in future programs, includ- 12:00-1:30 p.m. President, Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL ing education for military children and job opportunities for military Tools for Stressful Times spouses. 1:45-3:15 p.m. We are excited to start planning the Network’s activities in San An- Caucus Strategic Planning tonio for the NCSL Legislative Summit! In addition to our annual lunch and reception, we will participate in the Sixth Annual Walk for 5:00-6:00 p.m. Wellness. There will be a session about “Tools for Stressful Times” and Network Reception programs related to women in the military and military families. Check the Network website for updates. I do hope you will join us during the Wednesday, August 10 Summit—and bring a friend to our events! We want to increase the 6:30-8:00 a.m. participation of women who may not have been involved so far. New Walk for Wellness ideas are what keep us strong. 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Network Luncheon and Business Meeting. Keynote about women and the military. Rosie Berger State Representative, Wyoming President, Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL To National Conference of State Legislatures Update You NCSL Spring Forum in Washington, D.C. April 14-15, 2011 For complete meeting information, including session summaries, visit www.ncsl.org/?tabid=22382. Briefings and Tour of the Pentagon Student Assessments: Foreclosures: Women’s Legislative Network and the What Legislators Need to Know Strategies for NCSL Military and Veterans’ Affairs Task NCSL Education Committee and the Saving the Force Women’s Legislative Network Neighborhood State legislators received a tour of the This session featured a discussion of stu- NCSL Communica- Pentagon and met with Robert Gor- dent assessments and how they affect tions, Financial Ser- don III, the deputy assistant secretary state policy and budgets. vices and Interstate of defense for Military Community Commerce Com- and Family Policy. Mr. Gordon shared Ensuring Retirement Security mittee and Women’s information about new and ongoing NCSL Labor and Economic Development Legislative Network initiatives within the DOD, including Committee and the Women’s Legislative State policymakers are crafting legis- a review of military children’s educa- Network lation to help homeowners who are tional status, the Spouse Education and The financial integrity and long-term facing foreclosure and to address issues Career Opportunities Program, military solvency of Social Security are critical to in the foreclosure process. This session family life counselors, and the new retirees and workers who are paying into examined what policymakers and lend- White House Joining Forces program. the system. This session examined the ers are doing about problems with the Legislators also discussed initiatives in finances of Social Security, explored op- process and to ensure fair treatment for their states with Ed Kringer, the director tions for ensuring its long-term stability, homeowners. of the State Liaison and Educational and considered ideas for including all Opportunity offices. workers. NCSL e-Newsletters www.ncsl.org/?tabid=22151 New From NCSL! A new website with all NCSL e-newsletters in one place. Federal Health Reform Collaboration Site Improving Women’s Health: State Policy Options (http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabID=160&tabs=831,1 www.ncsl.org/?TabId=22117 39,1177#1177) This brochure was developed with the advice of the bipar- NCSL has created a members-only online collaboration tisan group of state legislators who attended the women’s page to provide easy, instant communication among state health seminar at the 2010 Fall Forum. legislators and legislative staff involved in health reform implementation. Opportunities for Working Families Web Resource The Collaborative Network page includes: http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=21841 • Document Libraries: Federal and State Many American families struggle with financial insecu- • Resources and Calendar rity and a lack of opportunity. Since 2002, The National • Forum - an online discussion site Conference of State Legislatures/Annie E. Casey Foundation You will need to login with your NCSL username and pass- Partnership on Family Economic Success has helped legisla- word to access the site. If you do not have a username, you tors who want to create more opportunities for working can request one online. families to succeed. Visit the website to learn more about working families issues at NCSL. 2 Network News Spring 2011 National Conference of State Legislatures Announcements Colorado Women’s Caucus Reunion Recognizing there is much to learn from the women who came before them, the Colo- rado Legislative Women’s Caucus gathered for their Second Annual Reunion on April 12, 2011. More than 60 current and past women legislators came together to share stories and celebrate women in the legislature. Former minority leader Peggy Kerns (and current director of the NCSL Center for Ethics in Government) brought newspaper clippings from her years in the legislature and read from the news stories to show how unfairly women were treated as recently as the 1990s. The only woman to have served as speaker of the House, Lola Spradley, shared her thoughts about what it means to be a good leader. Those attending also enjoyed hearing from Rep. Laura Miller, who served in the House from 1971-1976. Rep. Miller, now 91 years old, reminisced about the lack of women’s restroom facilities and replacing the carpet after the last person to chew tobacco left the legislature. The Women’s Caucus also showed its support for women in the community by donating baby items for the Denver Health Foundation. Illinois Conference of Women Legis- NEW Leadership™ Illinois is a joint initiative of the lators Mentors College Women Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the Univer- Illinois’ program, NEW Leadership™ sity of Illinois and the Conference of Women Legislators of is a nonpartisan, week-long residential the Illinois General Assembly. The program was developed program for college women designed in partnership with the New Leadership Development to increase women’s representation Network established by the Center for American Women in all aspects of public life, includ- and Politics, a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at ing elected office. The program brings Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. together our brightest students and chal- lenges their critical and creative thinking re- Wyoming Women Asked to Run garding public policy, as well as encouraging The bipartisan Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus and them to make a commitment to public policy its partners assembled nearly 225 men and women in Chey- early in their careers. enne Feb. 3 and 4, 2011 to hear speakers and participate in workshops and discussion aimed at increasing the number Participants learn firsthand what it means to serve in public of women in leadership in the Equality State. office. Women leaders, including current and former women legislators, other elected and appointed officials, and com- “Be rebellious enough to run,” said Rep. Mary Throne of munity and business entrepreneurs, serve as mentors and Cheyenne at dinner February 3, drawing on a letter writ- speakers in the program. Students also see public policy in ten by Abigail Adams in 1776 to her husband John. Rep. action by visiting government offices, including those in Throne, Rep. Elaine Harvey and Rep. Rosie Berger shared the James R. Thompson Center and Chicago City Council. stories of their road to the Legislature, ranging from a con- Hands-on training throughout the sessions allows partici- scious plan carried out over five years to being asked to run pants to engage with the faculty and speakers in a fun and after approaching more than 20 men to represent her dis- collegial atmosphere.