Our Money Matters

Women cast more ballots than men, yet men give more money to political candidates. Womens’ votes matter in politics. Additionally, our money matters too. Yet women lack in political money giving. According to The Women’s Campaign Forum report from “Vote With Your Purse:  Harnessing the Power of Women’s Political Giving”

Unfortunately, over the last two decades women’s high dollar contributions to candidates have remained unchanged, with women consistently comprising only 28% of contributions of $1,000 or more (single or combined).

Is there a connection between our reluctance to invest money in our political candidates with women’s low numbers in our government? Women are 51% of our population, yet we are only 17% of our Senate. We do not have parity in our government. We do not have equal representation. Gender Parity is a topic that is gaining momentum around the world and here in the United States. Women deserve gender parity in our government.

Eight million more women than men voted in 2008. Can we start to believe in our power as voters and extend that power from our purses?

 For gender parity to become a reality in the United States women must exert the power that comes from our purses. If we remain reluctant to open our purses for women candidates we stop ourselves from having equal representation in government.

 The report also states:

For better or worse, money is a critical factor in acquiring political power. When women lag behind in giving, it means that women’s political will is not fully reflected, and women’s political power diminished.

Martha Coakely is poised to be Massachusetts’ first woman senator. Money is essential for her victory. Her opponents Pagliuca is self-funding his campaign. Rep. Capuano has a big head start in fundraising.

Let’s open our purses and support Martha.