State Rep. Mary Lou Marzian

Mary Lou Marzian of Louisville has been a faithful member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since 1994, representing district 34. She serves on the Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs, Health & Welfare Committee, Judiciary, Labor & Industry Committee, and as Vice Chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources in the House. Representative Marzian is a registered nurse and member of the Kentucky Nurses Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Older Women’s League.

Rep. Marzian has long been a friend and advocate of WiLL, and worked dedicatedly with WiLL to ensure the ratification of the New START treaty. Rep. Marzian also co-sponsored a reception for WiLL during the 2010 NCSL Legislative Summit, and even baked brownies for the event! WiLL was thrilled to recognize Representative Marzian as a Pacesetter during the 2011 WiLL/WAND National Women’s Leadership Conference, “Women at the Table of Power.” Rep. Marzian is the perfect example of going above and beyond the call of duty and standing up for women and working families. We are thrilled to have her in our network!

Representative Seelig has been involved in politics and public service for more than decade at a policy-making and leadership level. She was a policy and research analyst for the Salt Lake City Council between 1995 and 2000, handling such sensitive and critical issues relating to crime control, budget compliance within the administrative office, community relations, and public meetings involving the City Council. She served as a policy and research analyst for Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson between 2000 and 2001, with primary responsibility for the Americans with Disabilities Act and for a broad range of policy issues that required thoughtful evaluation and review before being presented to the Mayor for action. She additionally served as the communication and legislative policy analyst for the Utah League of Cities and Towns, which acts as an advocate for issues vital to residential communities across the state.

Representative Seelig was elected in November of 2006 to serve in the Utah House of Representatives. She serves on the Executive Appropriations, Political Subdivisions, and Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice committees, as well as on the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. In 2010 Representative Seelig was elected Minority Whip by the House Democratic Caucus.

She is currently finishing a Ph.D. in political science at the University of Utah. She has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Utah and a B.A. in English from the University of Louisville.

Friday, February 3, 2012

2:30PM EST

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis invites you to attend:

Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND) and Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL) Call

Please join U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, Department of Labor Chief Economist Dr. Adriana Kugler, and Women Legislators’ Lobby President State Senator Nan Orrock for a timely briefing for members of the Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL) and Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND). Highlights will include Department of Labor initiatives for women and working families, as well as the importance of unemployment insurance benefits for women across the nation.

As a state legislator, don’t miss this great opportunity to learn about important federal policy initiatives that are enormously helpful to your constituents. Please register here for this exciting teleconference today!

Call-In Number: 1-800-779-9045

Passcode (you give to operator): UI Call

To secure your spot on the call and ensure that we have enough lines for everyone who wishes to participate, please RSVP at: http://s.dol.gov/M0

This call is off the record and NOT for press purposes. We hope you are able to join.

Please contact A’shanti Gholar, Special Assistant to the Secretary in the Office of Public Engagement, at Gholar.Ashanti.F@dol.gov with any questions or concerns.

State legislators from New Hampshire present U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (5th from left) with the Torchbearer Award at the 2011 WiLL/WAND Conference

2011 Conference attendees with AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker (4th from left)

WiLL works to assure that more federal dollars are re-directed to our nation’s human and environmental needs and domestic preparedness. WiLL provides state legislators with valuable resources and services:

• WiLL shares timely materials with you to show how state programs are affected by federal policy and budget decisions. WiLL provides simple, effective ways for you to influence federal decisions that will impact your constituents.

• WiLL offers our highly-rated national conference, policy briefings, training on messaging and media strategies, and other professional development programs designed to help you become more effective.
• WiLL assists you in developing working relationships with your D.C. colleagues and gives you a voice in Washington.
• Our PAC provides assistance when you run for U.S. Congress!

Join WiLL today!

As state legislators, we have gained much from WiLL’s resources and expertise for two decades.  Fellow women legislators from across America endorse and support WiLL as well:

"It is always affirming to be with other women who have fought and won and lost similar battles in male-dominated legislatures.  I always learn something that I can use.”

- Delegate Barbara Fleischauer (WV)

“I am involved with WiLL because it is important that women state lawmakers have an impact on federal policy. Through WiLL/WAND, women state legislators have an opportunity to become even stronger by meeting, sharing ideas, and working to influence federal policy that impacts our states and constituencies.”

- State Representative Deborah Berry (IA)

“The Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL) provides an opportunity to learn about federal legislation, voice opinions on important issues and to network with women who care about the moving our country forward in a positive manner. In addition WiLL provides wonderful training opportunities for improving legislative skills. As a member of WiLL, one does have a seat at the table.”

- State Representative Kathy Hawken (ND)

2011 WiLL/WAND Conference Attendees

WiLL is a program of WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions), a progressive national women’s organization dedicated to promoting sound security policy. WAND’s mission is to empower women to act politically to reduce militarism and to redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs.

When women state legislators join WiLL, we strengthen our ability to make our voices heard. We become more informed and more effective. You can join WiLL with a $60 annual membership, $100 for two years, or apply for a membership scholarship.

More than one-third of all seated U.S. women legislators are members of WiLL. In the 112^th United States Congress, 43 of the women members came through our ranks and had our support for higher office.  We invite you to join WiLL today!  Best wishes for a great 2012 session and your successful re-election!

The Vermont delegation at the 2011 WiLL/WAND Conference (Pictured from l to r: Rep. Johannah Donovan, Rep. Kathleen Keenan, Sen. Diane Snelling, Rep. Sarah Edwards, and Rep. Suzi Wizowaty)

Representative Sarah Edwards of Brattleboro, has long been one of the most dedicated and respected members of the Vermont Legislature. Since her election in 2002, Representative Edwards has been a champion of renewable energy, exemplified by her co-sponsorship of several transformative energy bills.  Also notable is her service on the Nuclear Legislative Workgroup of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In the Vermont Legislature, Representative Edwards serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, the Joint Energy Committee, and the Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Panel.  Edwards is also a passionate advocate for balanced federal spending, job creation, and reducing waste in the military budget. “Redirecting those dollars into education, health, transportation and infrastructure can provide the jobs and services that are desperately needed in communities across Vermont and America,” Edwards said. Representative Edwards was one of 10 outstanding legislators from around the country who was honored as a 2011 WiLL Pacesetter at the WiLL/WAND National Women’s Leadership Conference, “Women at the Table of Power,” in recognition of her dedicated service and excellent example.

Outside of the legislature, Representative Edwards is the executive director of the Lighthouse Reef Conservation Institute, an NGO whose purpose it is to investigate and monitor the relationship between commerce, conservation and community in an ecologically sensitive, economically important and scientifically significant ecosystem known as the Lighthouse Reef atoll.  She also serves on a number of local boards and committees.

Representative Edwards will no doubt continue to be an advocate for her community and Vermont and a force to be reckoned with in the 2012 session!

Maine State Rep. Diane Russell

Congratulations to WiLL member Maine State Rep. Diane Russell, for being named “Most Valuable State Legislator” by The Nation on the 2011 Progressive Honor Roll! Rep. Russell, currently serving her second term in the Maine State Legislature, is an outspoken advocate for workers’ rights, voters’ rights, and practical, bipartisan solutions on a wide variety of issues. Russell was a champion of the New START treaty in 2010, sharing her knowledge of national security issues in an excellent op-ed urging her U.S Senators to vote to ratify the treaty in The Portland Press-Herald. Rep. Russell is a founding board member of the Opportunity Maine Campaign, a nonprofit organization that used the citizens initiative process to get legislation passed to make college more affordable for all Mainers. Undoubtedly, Rep. Russell will continue to fight the good fights in 2012!

Read the rest of the list here!

State Rep. Gloria Frazier at the WiLL/WAND Conference

State Representative Gloria Frazier was elected to represent Hephzibah (near the South Carolina border) in the Georgia General Assembly in 2006. She serves on the Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee as well as the Banks and Banking and Public Safety and Homeland Security Committees. She is co-chairwoman of the Georgia Working Families Legislative Caucus, a member of the Georgia Black Caucus, treasurer of the bipartisan Georgia Women’s Caucus, and serves as Assistant Whip for the Georgia Democratic Caucus. Widely recognized for her inclusive and productive leadership, she recently passed groundbreaking sickle cell legislation and is a strong advocate for public education and affordable quality healthcare.

Representative Frazier is a U.S. Army spouse and attended the University of Maryland at an overseas campus. She is the co-founder of “Divas of Destiny,” an organization that supports and mentors high school girls, empowering them with the skills needed to graduate from college to become productive in Georgia.

Last year, Representative Frazier was actively involved in WAND’s efforts for the ratification of the New START Treaty. She penned letters to the editor and lobbied her Senators.

Representative Deborah Berry was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa. Before entering state politics, she was Assistant Development Director for Afro American Community Broadcasting, Inc. (KBBG-FM) and later Corporate Fundraising Director. She also worked as an Education Site Coordinator for after school programs for at-risk youth.  In 2000, she was elected to the Waterloo City Council where one of her signature achievements was increasing the proportion of city government contracts given to minorities and women.  In 2002, she was elected to Iowa’s House of Representatives. Representative Berry was a champion for children, leading the charge to the codification of afterschool program language in Iowa.  She currently serves on the Public Safety, Local Government, Veterans Affairs, Government, Oversight, and is Ranking Member of International Relations committees in the state house.

Representative Berry was an instrumental part of WAND’s campaign for the ratification of the New START Treaty. She came to Washington, DC to lobby her senators and she hosted several discussions about New START on her radio show. We are thrilled to honor her as a 2011 Pacesetter for the energy and unique talents she brings to WiLL’s work!

Representative Berry serves as a WiLL State Director.  She is a member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and holds an At Large Leadership position. She is also the 1^st Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee for the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women). Recognitions include the 2010 Special Recognition Award -Afro American Community Broadcasting, Inc. (KBBG-FM); 2009 Outstanding Service Award, Iowa Healthcare Association; 2009 Friend of Nursing Award Iowa Nurses Association.

Two of our Pacesetter legislators, Representative Nancy Todd (CO) and Representative Jennifer Seelig (UT), at the 2011 WiLL/WAND conference

State Representative Nancy Todd of Aurora, Colorado has been proudly serving her state since her election in 2004.  Representative Todd has been a leader in education and healthcare reform, receiving numerous awards including the 2008 Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recognition award, the Legislator of the Year award from the Early Childhood and School Readiness Commission, the Friend of Home Care in Colorado award, and a Champion for Mental Health from the Aurora Mental Health Center.

As a professional educator for twenty-five years, Rep. Todd brings valuable insight to education policy in this country.  Rep. Todd is a pioneer in recognizing the importance of investing in our youth, providing for our senior citizens, and working harder to understand the issues facing our military, veterans, and their families. WiLL was pleased to recognize Rep. Todd as a 2011 Pacesetter at our national WiLL/WAND Conference, “Women at the Table of Power”, for her impressive legislative service and dedication to sound fiscal policy. Rep. Todd says, "Receiving the Pacesetters award from WiLL is an honor as I join other outstanding women legislative leaders from around the United States."

Representative Todd currently serves as the chair of the Education committee for the Council of State Governments, a state director for Women in Government (WIG), and as WiLL’s State Director in the Colorado House. In her community, Rep. Todd serves on the boards of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), Ridge View Academy, a juvenile corrections/education facility, Fitzsimmons Veterans Nursing Home, Arapahoe House, and the Mile High Lung Association. We are very proud to have Rep. Todd as an invaluable member of WiLL and wish her luck in her campaign for Colorado Senate in 2012!

Delegate Hixson grew up in Michigan and started out as a teacher in Detroit. After becoming active in local politics, she moved to the Washington, DC area where she eventually ran to represent Silver Spring, MD in the House of Delegates.

Although her long record of legislative service is stellar, WiLL chose to honor Delegate Hixson this year for her work with Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home, a coalition of community groups in Maryland. Delegate Hixson led efforts to gather signatures in the General Assembly for a letter to Maryland’s congressional delegation urging responsible cuts to excessive Pentagon spending in order to assist states with addressing critical needs. With Delegate Hixson's leadership twenty-nine of her colleagues in the House of Delegates signed onto the letter. We applaud her efforts to educate her colleagues about the connection between bloated Pentagon spending in the federal budget and state budget shortfalls. For more information about the letter, check here. Delegate Hixson is an excellent example of why we need more women elected at every level of government!