More Than 1,500 Iowa Women Launch “Women for Edwards”

Announcement Highlights Edwards’ Strength in Organization and on the Issues – From Education to Choice to Ending the War in Iraq

As Senator John Edwards begins his 23rd visit to Iowa today, the campaign again demonstrated his broad support in the lead-off nominating state with the announcement of a 1,500 member strong, statewide Women for Edwards organization.

More than 1,500 women caucus goers - representing all 99 counties and more than 800 precincts – have agreed to caucus for John Edwards and become public supporters for the campaign. In addition, they will work with John Edwards for President campaign staff in their area to spread the word about Edwards’ detailed and specific plans on issues important to women, including health care, education, ending the war in Iraq, equality in economic opportunity and a woman’s right to choose.

In addition, Edwards announced a statewide Women for Edwards Leadership Team – comprised of 31 prominent business, education, law, government and community leaders – who will advise Edwards and his campaign on issues of concern to women. They will also help build on Edwards’ already strong base of support among Iowa women.

“I’m honored to receive the early support of so many women across Iowa who share my determination to set a new direction for our country,” Edwards said. “As president, I will push for bold change to ensure that every woman in this country has affordable health care for her family, quality education, fair wages, the freedom to make her own choices and the opportunity to succeed based on her talent and hard work.”

Today in Des Moines during a town hall event on women’s issues, Edwards detailed his plans to improve the lives of women at work and at home. Specifically, Edwards called for:

*Guaranteeing health care for 95,000 Iowa women who lack insurance.

*Ending poverty – helping the 179,000 Iowa women who now live in poverty. John Edwards has called for an end to poverty within 30 years, with policies rooted in the core American values of work, opportunity and responsibility.

*Supporting strong families by expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act, investing in child care for working moms and increasing long-term care options available to families.

*Raising the minimum wage. In Iowa, women account for 61 percent of minimum wage workers.

*Passing pay equity legislation and providing additional funding for women-owned businesses. Today in Iowa, women earn 75 cents for every dollar earned by men.
Protecting a woman’s right to choose and codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law.

“John is a thoughtful, compassionate and strong leader who will make it his mission to see that women have the same opportunities as men – from education to health care to employment,” said Roxanne Conlin, who is a member of the Leadership Team, a former Democratic nominee for Governor and a widely respected civic and community leader. “He will stand up to Republican attacks against a woman’s right to choose. He will end the war in Iraq, start bringing our troops home, and most importantly, bring our nation together to make progress for all Americans.”

This is Edwards’ 23rd trip to Iowa since the beginning of 2005.

John Edwards for President
Iowa Women for Edwards Leadership Team

Roxanne Conlin, Civil Rights Attorney and former Iowa Gubernatorial Nominee, Des Moines
Laura Foell, Former Sac County Supervisor, Schaller
Celia Rangel, President Quad City Mexican American Organization, Davenport
Connie Smith, Teacher, Sioux City
Georgia Robertson, Boone County Democratic Party Chair, Boone
Beverly Strayhall, Healthcare Activist, Davenport
Tena Hinkel, Monona County Recorder, Mapleton
Lena Avila Robison, Investigator for Iowa Civil Rights Commission, President & Founder of Latinos Unidos of Iowa, Des Moines
Jeannette Kline, President of Burlington Iowa State Education Association Chapter, Burlington
Tammy Kesterson, Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee Member, Marengo
Joy Lowe, Community Activist, Waterloo
Patricia Schaefer, Mayor, Morning Sun
Rosemary Schwartz, Former Benton County Democratic Party Chair, Vinton
Jan Horton, Webster County Treasurer, Fort Dodge
Rebecca Cole, Former Hamilton County Supervisor, Jewell
Jody Ewing, Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee Member, Onawa
Janet Adams, Former State Representative, Webster City
Sally Steffen, Former County Wapello County Supervisor, Ottumwa
Denise Hocraffer, Wright County Democratic Party Chair, Clarion
Dori Rammelsberg-Dvorak, Democratic Party Activist, Clutier
Melva Lewis, Retired Teacher, Former Iowa State Education Association Executive Board Member, Bettendorf
Anne Travis, Iowa State Education Association Executive Board Member, Sidney
Ruth Moorberg, Iowa State Education Association Executive Board Member, Esterville
Pat Steinfort, Community Activist, Mason City
Joan Amos, Chariton City Council, Chariton
Peg Dunbar, Former Bremer County Democratic Party Chair, Waverly
Allison Schultz, President, Clarke College Democrats, Earlville
Sara Hansen, Iowa State Education Association Executive Board Member, Marshalltown
Kas Kelly, Muscatine County Supervisor, Muscatine
Laurie Schipper, Executive Director, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Ankeny
Kathleen Graves, Emmet County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Estherville