Obama represents women's best hope
HELEN P. HOWELL AND VICKIE WALLEN
GUEST COLUMNISTS
Given the disastrous results of the Bush administration, including our immersion in an unjustifiable war, an economy on the verge of a recession, loss of respect and stature in the global community, and increased suffering at home, the need for fundamental change in the quality of our country's leadership is essential.
Like many women, we would be excited to help elect a woman president. At this pivotal moment in our history, however, the gender of our next president is not our foremost concern. Because of the troubled state of the union, our priority is for the Democrats to select as our nominee the candidate who is best positioned to win in November, and to navigate our nation out of the current morass, unite us and move the country forward.
We are a diverse group of women who have spent years working for equal rights, social justice and a powerful political voice for all women. Two of us are women of color, and one of us is a lesbian. All of us are mothers with a deep concern for the future of our children and our nation.
Sen. Barack Obama is the candidate with the energy and vision to lead our country in these difficult times -- to make our nation safer, restore our standing in the world and inspire Americans to be active participants in our democracy. He transcends the cynical politics of yesterday and inspires us to believe that tomorrow can be better. His message of hope and unity, his character and integrity, his keen mind and thoughtfulness, his belief in people and his optimism inspire us and move us to action.
He speaks directly and authentically to the broad range of issues that we care about, including the war in Iraq, poverty, education, equal opportunity, health care and the environment. His experience as the son of a single mother, husband of a working mother and father of two young daughters has given him a firm understanding of the challenges and concerns of working women and their families, as well as a firm commitment to addressing them.
Obama's unique background and experiences allow him to identify with the diverse circumstances and struggles of others, thereby lessening the divisions among us and enhancing our shared beliefs.
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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/351363_obamawomen15.htmlHelen P. Howell has served as counsel to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and serves as a national board member for Planned Parenthood. Vickie Wallen has served as the state ombudsman for families and children and as a senior policy adviser and legal counsel for former Gov. Mike Lowry. Ruthann Kurose also contributed to this column. She is a founding member of May's List, a political action committee established to elect women leaders to state office.
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