WHEREAS, research shows that women are substantially less likely to self - select or be recruited for elective office, this gender gap in political ambition persists across generations and over time and that qualified female
candidates who are equally or more qualified than men are often seen
as less qualified or less
viable than male
candidates; and WHEREAS, research confirms that the
presence of more women in a governing body leads to greater transparency and a focus on progressive policies such
as closing the funding and achievement gaps in education, closing gaps or loopholes in contraception coverage and affordable health care, closing the wage gap, and removing obstacles that contribute to poverty of women & children; and