Governor Bill Richardson Announces Women for Richardson, Releases Platform on Women's Issues
CONCORD, NH -- Governor Bill Richardson today announced the formation of Women for Richardson, a group of accomplished American women who will advise him on women's issues and outreach. The group will be co-chaired by New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish and Dr. Martha Burk, immediate past Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations and Senior Adviser to the Governor.
"I have long been dedicated to the issues important to women in this country -- educating our children, expanding access to healthcare, creating quality jobs, protecting our environment, and defending a woman's right to choose," said Governor Richardson "I am honored to have the support of these outstanding American citizens."
Governor Richardson also released his ambitious agenda on women's issues, detailing how the Richardson Administration will tackle the most critical concerns facing American women today and demonstrating that he is the candidate most committed to improving the lives of women.
Governor Richardson is the only candidate that has explicitly committed to protecting Roe v. Wade in Supreme Court nominations.
He is the only Presidential candidate who calls for a Social Security caregiver credit.
He is the only candidate to call for disclosure of pay statistics by gender, race, and job category, so that women can see if they are being treated fairly in the workplace.
And he is the only candidate to directly address the number one concern of women in the last election, ending the war, by calling for the withdrawal of all our troops from Iraq by the end of this calendar year.
"I am proud to stand with Governor Richardson, just as he has stood up for women throughout his long career in public service," said Burk. "There will be no stronger proponent of women and our issues in the White House than Governor Bill Richardson. He is by far the most progressive candidate when it comes to the issues women care about."
In New Mexico, Governor Richardson has strengthened families by creating over 90,000 high-quality jobs, raising the state minimum wage, and supporting state labor unions. He has made fighting domestic violence and crimes against women a priority. He created pre-kindergarten for four-year olds, guaranteed access to healthcare for every child under five, and created a women's health task force. In addition, Governor Richardson was honored by NARAL New Mexico as a "Champion of Choice" for his lifetime commitment to defending a woman's right to choose. As President, he will continue to fight fiercely for women and their families.
In addition to his work on the issues, Governor Richardson has appointed women to top positions wherever he has served. Two-thirds of his appointees as Secretary of Energy were women, and twelve members of his Cabinet in New Mexico are women. He plans to continue appointing highly-qualified women to top jobs in the White House.
"As an American and a woman, I am thrilled at the prospect of having someone of such high character and sound judgment in the White House," said Denish, New Mexico's first female Lieutenant Governor. "It has been a privilege to serve with Governor Richardson."
In addition to Dr. Burk, Governor Richardson was joined at the announcement by other members of the Women for Richardson Steering Committee, including New Mexico Secretary of Education Veronica Garcia and Giovanna Rossi, Director of the New Mexico Governor's Women's Health Advisory Council. Also in attendance were New Hampshire Women for Richardson co-Chairs State Representative Tara Reardon and Amanda Grady, Policy Director for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Together with Women for Richardson, Governor Richardson will continue to reach out to women across the country to join his campaign for a stronger America.
