Des Moines, IA –In observance of Women’s Equality Day, Gubernatorial candidate Andy McGuire issued the following statement:
“Today, we honor and commemorate the women and men who fought and struggled for 70 years to grant women the right to vote. We must never forget the sacrifices and contributions of suffragettes Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt and countless others. It is my hope that one day their names will be as well-known as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
“One of the reasons I’m running for governor is because our work is far from over. We are far from finished in the fight for women’s equality. In the age of President Trump, women must unite and remain vigilant in the fight against misogyny, denigration and discrimination.
“Electing more women to office will not solve all our issues. We need female voices in government who are willing to take a tough, strong stand against any and all types of gender discrimination. We need to elect women who will stand up to President Trump when he publicly and unabashedly objectifies women. We need women in office who won’t turn a blind eye to sexual harassment in the workplace. And we need women in government who will improve women’s access to health care, not create more barriers.
“I’m not asking voters to support me just because I am a woman. I’m asking Iowans to support me because I know our fight is far from over. As governor, I want to be on the front lines of the fight for equal pay and paid family leave. I want to work to reduce childcare costs so no woman has to choose between her career and her family. The best way I know to honor the leaders of the suffrage movement is to take care of unfinished business and keep fighting until we have truly reached full equality.”
Background: In 1971, Rep. Bella Abzug (NY) passed a bill to designate August 26th as the official Women’s Equality Day. Women's Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th amendment that granted women the right to vote. Iowa State University graduate, Carrie Chapman Catt was one of the most vocal and active leaders of the women’s suffrage movement and helped to ratify the amendment in 48 states.
***McGuire was born in Waterloo, Iowa – the daughter of a World War II veteran and a hard-working mother in a family of eight. McGuire is the mother of seven children, and raised a family while training to be a doctor. As a medical director, she focused on preventive care, including vaccinations and prenatal checks.***
To stay up-to-date on the campaign, visit www.McGuireForGovernor.com
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