Harriett’s List Kicks Off 2010 with First Event
A crowd of almost 200 attended the successful kickoff luncheon of Harriett’s List March 4 at Norwood Country Club in St. Louis creating tremendous energy for the critical 2010 election cycle, and raising funds to elect more progressive women to the Missouri statehouse.
With guest speaker Gloria Steinem suddenly sidelined with laryngitis, State Auditor Susan Montee stepped in as the keynote speaker – reading prepared remarks from Gloria Steinem as well as offering reflections on Harriett Woods and her own journey in running for elective office. Montee, running for re-election, is the first Harriett’s List candidate endorsed in 2010.
State Sen. Joan Bray kicked off the luncheon, noting that the number of progressive women legislators is diminishing with every election cycle. “In fact, when Senator Rita Heard-Days and I leave the Senate at the end of this year, only two progressive women may be left among the 34 senators. Harriett’s List is the only organization in Missouri addressing this problem directly.”
State Sen. Rita Heard-Days talked about how lonely it can be for a progressive woman officeholder in Jefferson City and asked for strong support of Harriett’s List, quoting former Secretary of State Madeline Albright who said: “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”
Attendees also heard from State Rep. Stacey Newman , Susan Kidder and Linda Locke who offered personal perspectives on the inspiration they received from Gloria Steinem and Harriett Woods – as well as from Harriett’s son, Andy Woods, who attended with his daughter Lela, and brother Chris. Andy suggested that supporters of progressive women make a contribution to Harriett’s List each year on her June 2nd birthday.
Those in attendance also included a number of elected officials and those running for office, key Democratic organizations, as well as long-time friends and supporters of Harriett Woods – providing an effective blend of founders and future progressive women leaders in the state of Missouri.
