Welcome Remarks for Women in Leadership: The Impact of Women on the U.S. Congress
McGowan Theater, 威尼斯人娱乐场 Building, Washington, DC
October 30, 2019
Good evening, and welcome to the William G. McGowan Theater at the 威尼斯人娱乐场. I鈥檓 David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and I鈥檓 pleased you could join us for this evening鈥檚 program, whether you are here in the theater or joining us through Facebook or YouTube.
We鈥檙e looking forward to lively discussion on the topic 鈥淲omen in Leadership: The Impact of Women on the U.S. Congress,鈥� with our special guests United States Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Tammy Baldwin, United States Representatives Debra Lesko and Brenda Lawrence, and our moderator, Brooke Baldwin from CNN.
Tonight鈥檚 program is made possible in part by the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation through the generous support of BMO Financial Group鈥攁nd we thank them.
Before we begin our discussion, I鈥檇 like to tell you about two other programs coming up soon in the McGowan Theater.
On Friday, November 1, at noon, historian H. W. Brands will be here to discuss and sign his latest book, Dreams of El Dorado: A History of the American West.
And next Thursday, November 7, at 7 p.m., in commemoration of Veterans Day, filmmaker Ron Osgood will be here to screen his recent documentary, Just Like Me: Vietnam War Stories from All Sides. Following the screening, Osgood will be joined by historian Marc Leepson to discuss the film and answer audience questions.
To keep informed about events throughout the year, check our website, Archives.gov, or sign up at the table outside the theater to get email updates. You鈥檒l also find information about other 威尼斯人娱乐场 programs and activities.
Another way to get more involved with the 威尼斯人娱乐场 is to become a member of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation. The Foundation supports the work of the agency, especially its education and outreach programs. Check out their website鈥�补谤肠丑颈惫别蝉蹿辞耻苍诲补迟颈辞苍.辞谤驳鈥�to learn more about them and join online.
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Tonight鈥檚 discussion is part of a series of programs related to our recently opened exhibit, Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote.
Rightfully Hers commemorates the centennial of the 19th Amendment and tells the story of women鈥檚 struggle for voting rights as a critical step toward equal citizenship. The exhibit explores how American women across the spectrum of race, ethnicity, and class advanced the cause of suffrage and follows the struggle for voting rights beyond 1920.
The decades-long fight for the vote in the 19th and early 20th centuries engaged large numbers of women in the political process. Once the national vote was won, women continued their civic engagement by running for seats on county boards, statehouses, and the United States Congress.
The number of women serving today in the House of Representatives and Senate is at an all-time high, but the total is still only about 25 percent of each house.
Our distinguished guests bring their own experiences as current members of the House and the Senate to our exploration of how an increasing number of women can change Congress.
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Now I鈥檇 like to introduce Daniela O鈥橪eary-Gill, the Executive Vice President and U.S. Chief Operating Officer of BMO Financial Group, where she oversees effective governance across BMO U.S. operations. Daniela is active in furthering causes that foster equitable opportunity and is a long-time champion for diversity and inclusion.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Daniela O鈥橪eary-Gill.
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And now it鈥檚 my pleasure to introduce our moderator for this evening. Brooke Baldwin is a Peabody Award finalist who anchors the afternoon edition of CNN Newsroom. She is also the creator and host of the CNN Digital series 鈥淎merican Woman,鈥� which focuses on the stories of trail-blazing women who have broken barriers in their respective fields and are now helping other women do the same. Baldwin came to CNN in 2008 and is often sent into the field to the biggest breaking stories in the United States and around the world. She played a key role in covering the historic 2016 Presidential election, and is pivotal to the network鈥檚 coverage of America鈥檚 Choice 2020.
Please welcome Brooke Baldwin and our panel to the stage.