WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, EMILY’s List announced a cable television and internet advertising campaign posing the question “Where are the women?” across the country – and offering women and men the opportunity to change Washington – with its broken priorities and disdain for women – by electing prochoice Democratic women who will build a progressive America.

Last week, women (and men!) across the country watched in shock as conservatives in charge of a powerful congressional committee refused to allow women’s voices to be heard, as they debated an important measure which would eliminate equal access to contraceptive medicine for all women. Women saw the image of the all male panel insisting that they knew what’s best for women.

The EMILY’s List campaign uses these images to remind women what’s at stake – and that they have an alternative, by joining the more than one million EMILY’s List members and historic number of women candidates who are making 2012 a Women’s Historic Year.

“Women are saying: enough,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “That picture told women everything they need to know about the radical, right-wing anti-women conservatives in Washington who are using their power to set women back decades. But women know what’s best for their health, and they know how to make sure their voices are heard – by electing prochoice Democratic women who will fight for the rights and opportunities women and their families need. We’re going to reach women all over the country and welcome them into our powerful community.”

EMILY’s List is also launching a pre-roll video campaign on YouTube that will feature a shorter version of the broadcast ad. The online buy will reach 2.5mm viewers in three targeted media markets: Chicago, San Francisco and Florida.

EMILY’s List is supporting an unprecedented number of Senate candidates: six incumbents and five challengers. Every single one of our challengers would be the first women to represent their states in the Senate. Mazie Hirono would be the first Asian American women Senator and only the 2nd woman of color ever to serve in the Senate. Other firsts include Tammy Duckworth, who would be the only woman in office with combat experience.

More than one million strong, EMILY's List now includes members in every single state in the country. Team EMILY, the all-volunteer voter mobilization effort, now has members in every single state. In the first 12 months since John Boehner and his Tea-Party allies took over the House and started to wage a war on American women and families, EMILY's List more than doubled its membership from under 400,000 to over one million. Since the Susan G. Komen scandal, EMILY’s List has added 60,000 new members.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, today announced its endorsements of Pam Bucy, Linda McCulloch, Monica Lindeen, and Denise Juneau for statewide office in Montana.

“Montana has a long and proud history of women’s leadership,” said Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List. “As a proud daughter of Montana myself, I’m so excited that EMILY’s List is endorsing four Montana women who stand for values like opportunity, liberty and fairness.

“Pam Bucy’s long legal career and proven track record of fighting for women, families, and the elderly will make her an extraordinary Attorney General. Linda McCulloch has been a strong and dynamic Secretary of State who will continue to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote is counted. Monica Lindeen is a hard worker who will continue to put the needs of Montana’s families first as State Auditor; and Denise Juneau will continue to transform the education system and open doors for Montana’s children as Superintendent of Public Instruction. Together, these women can continue building an even brighter future for Montana. EMILY’s List is thrilled to stand with them.”

A Montana native who grew up in a farming family in Townsend, Pam Bucy has a long history of protecting Montana families and extensive experience in the justice system. Throughout her years as a criminal prosecutor and in private practice, Bucy has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of every Montanan. In office she will fight to keep women and children safe from online predators and advocate for justice for all Montanans.

In 2008, Linda McCulloch was the first woman in Montana’s history elected Secretary of State. An energetic and determined public servant, McCulloch has helped improve funding for Montana schools, saved taxpayer money, and helped ensure that elections are fair, honest, and open.

An accomplished leader, Monica Lindeen has spent her entire career helping working families and businesses. Serving as State Auditor since 2009, she has created jobs and worked to educate the public about insurance and investment fraud by helping to open the Montana Securities Restitution Assistance Fund.

The daughter of two teachers, Denise Juneau understands the value of education and the doors a good education can open. Juneau is the first American Indian woman elected to statewide office in the country and has been a vital advocate for education as Superintendent of Public Instruction.

EMILY’s List’s Political Opportunity Program (POP) helps pro-choice Democratic women run and win for state and local office. Since the program started in 2001, POP has helped elect hundreds of women across the country.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, announced that it is fully recommending Kathleen Falk, a candidate for governor in Wisconsin’s recall election.

“The people of Wisconsin are fed-up with Republican Governor Scott Walker’s anti-worker, anti-family policies. The harmful right-wing agenda being forced on Wisconsin by Scott Walker and his big-money corporate allies has fired up working families across the country who are demanding change. The answer is the experienced leadership of Kathleen Falk,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “Kathleen is a strong candidate with a long history of service in Wisconsin and we are thrilled to endorse her for Governor today. EMILY’s List has known Kathleen for over a decade and has watched as she has consistently fought for women and families. A tenacious advocate for jobs, workers rights and women’s health, Kathleen is exactly who we need to stand up to the radical Republican agenda and get things done in Wisconsin.

“Our country is at risk of having no female Democratic governors in office at the start of 2013. Our states – grappling with economic challenges and at risk of being manipulated by far-right social agenda at the legislative level – need the leadership priorities of prochoice Democratic women, beginning with Kathleen Falk. The EMILY’s List community now stands at more than one million members strong and we are ready to take action to ensure that more pro-choice Democratic women like Kathleen run for governor – and win. We know this recall election will be a tough fight, but we will stand strong with Kathleen all the way.”

Born in Milwaukee, Kathleen Falk is a Wisconsin native with a proven record of fighting for women and families. After earning her law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Falk worked as a co-director of the Wisconsin Environmental Decade and Wisconsin’s environmental watchdog, the Public Intervenor, and has been a strong public servant and fierce advocate for the environment, healthcare, and labor ever since. Falk was the first woman elected as Dane County Executive, where she was an early opponent of Governor Scott Walker’s anti-union budget bill. As Dane County Executive, she kept a balanced budget every year for 14 years, controlled property taxes and streamlined government services making it more efficient. In 2002, she ran for governor as Wisconsin’s first female gubernatorial candidate from a major party, where she proposed a comprehensive healthcare system that would have required insurers to pay for contraceptives.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, announced it would honor the life and commitment of a co-founder, Lael Stegall, with the first recurring “Lael Stegall Candidate Training” in Portland, ME on February 24th.

“EMILY’s List is proud to name the Political Opportunity Program candidate training in Maine in honor of the memory of one of our founding mothers, Lael Stegall,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “Lael’s commitment to electing strong pro-choice Democratic women has had a profound influence in Maine and across the country. As one of the founding mothers of EMILY’s List, Lael leaves behind a legacy of changing the face of power in America. Her dedication to women candidates up and down the ballot in Maine will live on in the Lael Stegall Candidate Training.”

EMILY's List's Political Opportunity Program (POP) was created in 2001 to train and support women to run and win campaigns for state and local offices. The Lael Stegall Candidate Training will continue to offer campaign guidance to pro-choice, Democratic women throughout her home state of Maine in honor of Stegall’s inspiring contributions to the world of women’s rights and politics. The inaugural training will take place on February 24th, 2012 from 8:00am-5pm for pro-choice Democratic women candidates in Maine.

Please join EMILY’s List Executive Director Amy Dacey and for a reception honoring Lael Stegall’s work on behalf of women.

Where: The Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland Maine 04101

When: Friday, February 24th, 2012. 5pm-6:30pm

RSVP: Jessica Byrd at jbyrd@emilyslist.org

In Maine EMILY’s List has helped elect Rep. Chellie Pingree, former Portland Mayor Jill Duson, and trained over one hundred women for state and local office. Maine was the site of the first Political Opportunity Program training.

In 1985, Lael Stegall helped to launch EMILY’s List., which harnessed the power of women to create a tidal wave of support for women candidates for the first time in history. She went on to co-found the Strategies, Training, Advocacy and Resources (STAR) Network to help women in the Balkans recover from war, become a lobster fisherwoman and lived in Deer Isle, Maine with her husband Ronald until her death in October, 2011.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, announced its endorsement of Ellen Rosenblum and Kate Brown for statewide office in Oregon.

“We are excited to endorse two extraordinary women for statewide office in Oregon today,” said Jonathan Parker, Political Director of EMILY’s List. “Coming off of Suzanne Bonamici’s inspiring special election victory in Oregon’s 1st Congressional District last month, Ellen Rosenblum and Kate Brown are the voices Oregon needs to keep up the momentum for strong pro-choice Democratic women.

“From her time as a prosecutor for financial crimes to her service as an appellate judge, Ellen has worked hard to ensure that Oregonians from all walks of life are able to access the justice system. She is the advocate Oregon needs to look out for consumers, small businesses, and the most vulnerable throughout the state. We are proud to stand with Ellen throughout her campaign and see her make history as the first woman Attorney General of Oregon.

“As Secretary of State, Kate Brown has always been a strong and dynamic leader who will continue to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote is counted. In office she has fought to remove barriers to voter registration and voting, and streamlined business registration by expanding online services. Kate has been a wonderful success story from the EMILY’s List Political Opportunity Program; serving as the first woman Senate Majority Leader in Oregon and now as Secretary of State. The entire EMILY’s List community looks forward to her continued service.”

A graduate of the University of Oregon, Ellen Rosenblum began practicing law in Eugene, Oregon and has over 30 years of legal experience in the state. She served as a federal prosecutor of financial crimes and was later appointed by former Governor Barbara Roberts to the Circuit Court before serving on the Oregon Court of Appeals as a judge from 2005 to 2011. Rosenblum has fought hard throughout her career to make sure that all Oregonians have access to the judicial system.

Kate Brown has been a dynamic public servant in Oregon for decades. After serving in the Oregon House of Representatives and Oregon Senate she was elected Senate Democratic Leader. She broke barriers in 2004 when senators made her the first woman to serve as Oregon’s Senate Majority Leader. In 2008, she was elected Oregon’s 24th Secretary of State.

EMILY’s List Political Opportunity Program supported Kate Brown in her campaigns for state Senate in 2004 and Secretary of State in 2008.

EMILY’s List’s Political Opportunity Program (POP) helps pro-choice Democratic women run and win for state and local office. Since the program started in 2001, POP has helped elect hundreds of women across the country.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, released the following statement on Sen. Blunt’s Amendment to the transportation bill, which would allow employers to deny women and their families any kind of health care coverage for any undefined moral or religious reason. A vote is expected on this amendment as early as this afternoon.

“The amendment offered by Sen. Blunt would allow your boss to make your private medical decisions for you and decide what kind of health care coverage you received,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “That is simply un-American. The core of our democracy is individual liberty – that means making our own choices to be healthy and successful.

“This amendment goes so far beyond birth control – employers and corporations could decide to deny any kind of coverage to workers for any reason they wanted. Women and men everywhere should be outraged at this attack on American values. This country was built on individual freedom to reach the American dream – and that means making our own economic and family decisions.

“If Missouri knew that instead of the promised focus on jobs, this was the kind of leadership they could expect from Roy Blunt and the Republicans, you can bet election day 2010 would have looked a lot different. This battle only underscores the need to send more pro-choice Democratic women to Washington so we can fight these attacks on our liberty at the source. Democratic women in Congress are standing up to the right and their regressive agenda – and EMILY’s List is ready to send them reinforcements in November.”

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock released this statement on the White House’s announcement of the birth control coverage benefit.

“We’re reassured that it appears that no woman, no matter where she works, will lose birth control coverage, but it’s outrageous and disheartening that this important step forward for women became a target of the far-right -- and a tool for desperate candidates, like Mitt Romney, trying to rally the most conservative primary voters to their side,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “Our EMILY’s List women have been fighting for what women need and deserve throughout this long year of overreaching by the radical right, and we’re committed to bringing them reinforcements on election day this November. Time and time again, we’ve seen leaders like Patty Murray, Barbara Boxer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Claire McCaskill, and the other pro-choice Democratic women in the Senate making their voices clear on health care and other critical programs for women – and with a record number of pro-choice Democratic women running for the Senate this year, women donors, voters, and activists have an opportunity to expand that firewall for women and families and ensure that basic rights and opportunities are not compromised.”

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

Washington D.C. – EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, announced today that it is fully recommending the following candidates:

“Democratic women are leading the way for real change in Washington,” said EMILY’s List President, Stephanie Schriock. “By electing strong leaders focused on job creation like Michelle Lujan Grisham and Stacey Lawson, we can help build a Washington that actually works for women and families.

“2012 is shaping up to be an historic year for women and for EMILY’s List. We can take back the House and fight back against the Tea Party agenda, but only if we elect strong candidates like Michelle and Stacey who will stand up to the right and help end the GOP’s war on women.”

Coming from a blue collar community and a middle class family, Stacey Lawson understands the economic problems facing California’s 2nd congressional district – and she’s worked throughout her successful career as a small business owner to create good jobs for families in California.

Michelle Lujan Grisham is being moved this week from “On the List” to a full recommendation. Lujan Grisham has been a model public servant in her community and has fought to bring health care to working families in New Mexico.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock on the importance of birth control coverage.

“We don’t get to make other people’s medical and private decisions for them, and we don’t get to cherry pick who gets what kind of health care. It is a great accomplishment of President Obama, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and leaders in Congress like Senator Barbara Mikulski that women’s health care in this country is profoundly better now than it has ever been in our nation’s history: being a woman no longer counts as a pre-existing condition, and literally millions of women can now have access to birth control without having to sacrifice other critical things their families need. This is about those real women: What’s really at stake here is the impact on real people, like the nurse who works for modest pay at the religiously affiliated hospital, or the secretary at a university.

“Respect for people’s religious beliefs does not mean that your boss gets to decide what kind of health care you get. Respect for people’s religious beliefs and their individual liberty means individuals get to decide what kind of religion they practice and what health care is right for them. A person may decide not to use a medication, but that’s their decision. Institutions that serve a broader public have an obligation to respect our nation’s core value of individual liberty, as we respect their religious beliefs.

“The core of our democracy is at stake if Romney and the right wing impose a structure where some women have to choose between second class citizenship and diminished access to health care or their job.”

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, announced it is placing congressional candidates Kyrsten Sinema, Lori Saldaña, and Kathy Boockvar “On the List.”

The EMILY’s List community now stands at more than one million members strong. These supporters are getting their information earlier, quicker, and on the web and they’re ready to take action now. “On the List” is a new way for EMILY’s List members to engage with and support promising candidates early in an election cycle. By putting Sinema, Saldaña and Boockvar “On the List,” EMILY’s List is ensuring that they have access to this powerful network of supporters.

“EMILY’s List has surpassed one million members and we have incredible momentum going into this election cycle,” said EMILY’s List President, Stephanie Schriock. “Washington hasn’t been working for women and families, but we can change that by sending pro-choice Democratic women to Congress. The entire EMILY’s List community is ready to stand strong with Kyrsten, Lori, Kathy and Democratic women across the country in order to take back the House this November and change the way things are done in Washington.”

“Democratic women are leading the charge to take back the House in 2012,” said EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock. “With special election victories across the country already proving that 2012 is going to be an historic year for Democratic women, we are thrilled to support great candidates like Kyrsten Sinema, Lori Saldaña and Kathy Boockvar.”

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILY's List, the nation's largest resource for women in politics, released the following statement on Romney's support for defunding Planned Parenthood.

"Keeping women healthy is the right thing to do for our country and our families," said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY's List. "In his quest to prove he's as far right as any Republican, Romney has definitively thrown his lot in with those who would turn back the clock on our rights and our freedoms. American women notice when you care more about winning a primary than you care about their health. We're watching, we vote, and we're going to re-elect President Obama and send even more Democratic women to Congress to build a more progressive America."

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock released the following statement on Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s decision to strip Planned Parenthood of funding.

“By ending their grants to Planned Parenthood, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has put the lives of women -- especially poor women -- at risk. Planned Parenthood is often the only choice many women have when they need essential health care services. That includes regular checkups, birth control, and -- yes -- screenings for breast, cervical, and other cancers.

“Our brave women in the Senate are already standing up to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, signing on to a letter urging them to reverse this politically motivated decision and restore their grants to Planned Parenthood. EMILY’s List is proud to stand with them – and proud of the work we’re doing to send even more Democratic women to join their fight. Weeks like this one just highlight the absolutely critical need for women’s voices to be heard in Congress. Democratic women are standing up to the right and building a more progressive America, and we need them fighting for us more than ever.”

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – EMILY's List, the nation's largest resource for women in politics announces W.H.Y. 2012, an historic year for Democratic women in politics.

"This year we have the chance to fundamentally change how Washington works," said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY's List. "Coming off the special election victory of Suzanne Bonamici in Oregon, Democratic women have tremendous momentum going into this election cycle. In 2012 we have an unprecedented 11 women running for the Senate; women -- like Suzanne -- are winning special elections; and the EMILY's List community has never been more energized. We have exceeded one million members and we're not done yet.

"Washington isn't working for women and families, but we can change that by electing Democratic women who stand up to the right, get things done, and build a more progressive America."

Today, EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock laid out the milestones for EMILY's List in 2012: endorsing an unprecedented 11 women for the Senate; revealing they've surpassed one million members of EMILY's List; offering an in-depth look at the ever-growing field of House races; and revealing the results of an exclusive poll of independent women voters on election night in the Oregon-1 special election.

EMILY's List is supporting an unprecedented number of Senate candidates: six incumbents and five challengers. Every single one of our challengers would be the first women to represent their states in the Senate. Mazie Hirono would be the first Asian American woman Senator and only the 2nd woman of color ever to serve in the Senate. Other firsts include Tammy Duckworth, who would be the only woman in office with combat experience.

A poll conducted by EMILY's List on election day determined women voters in Oregon helped give Suzanne Bonamici the edge in Tuesday's special election. By a margin of 20 points, women chose Bonamici over her opponent Rob Cornilles -- a margin greater than the electorate as a whole. The targeted EMILY's List WOMEN VOTE! programs proved effective and the messaging against Cornilles on the issue of reproductive choice was remembered by a large number of voters. These women used national issues that favor Democrats to choose a candidate, such as the economy, tax fairness and Social Security and Medicare -- giving insight into a critical block of voters going into 2012.

More than one million strong, EMILY's List now includes members in every single state in the country. Team EMILY, the all-volunteer voter mobilization effort, now has members in every single state. In the 12 months since John Boehner and his Tea-Party allies took over the House and started to wage a war on American women and families, EMILY's List has more than doubled its membership from under 400,000 to over one million.

W.H.Y. 2012 will feature a page for users to meet EMILY's List members across the country, and a video showcasing their voices, as well as the voices of 2012's historic women candidates. To explore W.H.Y. 2012 and watch the video go to http://emilyslist.org/why2012

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, today congratulates Suzanne Bonamici on her special election win in Oregon’s first congressional district. With this victory EMILY’s List makes history, winning three special elections in one cycle.

“From day one, EMILY’s List has stood with Suzanne and we could not be prouder of the race she ran or her victory tonight,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “Suzanne has always been an unfailing advocate for middle class families and she will continue to be a champion on issues like education, job creation, and environmental protection in Congress. The people of Oregon’s first district know that Suzanne’s dedication to women and families – not extreme Tea Party ideology – is what Congress needs.

“2012 is set to be an historic year for Democratic women in politics. The momentum started with Kathy Hochul’s special election win in New York and it will end with a Democratic majority in November. Suzanne’s victory continues this trend -- women are leading the way back for Democrats in 2012.”

Suzanne Bonamici entered the Oregon State Legislature as a Representative in 2006 and as a Senator in 2008. She was elected to Assistant Majority Leader in the Oregon State Senate in 2011. Bonamici has built a strong record of protecting consumers, making women’s health care more accessible and strengthening Oregon’s schools. Before serving in the state house, Bonamici worked as a consumer protection attorney, cracking down on unfair lending practices. She lives with her husband and two grown children in Portland.

EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! reached out to over 22,000 key women voters in Oregon during the primary in a direct mail program that highlighted Bonamici’s long career of holding corporations accountable. Leading up to the general election WOMEN VOTE! launched a significant television advertisement and online campaign using Tea Party politician Rob Cornilles’ own words to help women voters in Oregon understand how out of step his views are on choice.

EMILY’s List is proud to have supported Bonamici from the beginning of her political career. In 2006, EMILY’s List Political Opportunity Program (POP) supported her campaign for Oregon State Legislature.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 900,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.

WASHINGTON D.C. - EMILY's List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, today releases their evaluation of front runners going into Florida -- and exposes what Florida women and families should know about their records and their values.

The EMILY's List "Republican Presidential Scorecard" will be an ongoing effort to communicate with women voters about the Presidential race and what's at stake. The scorecard will be continually updated to adjust to the changing dynamics of the primary.

The EMILY's List "Republican Presidential Scorecard" shows the candidates who scored worst on women’s issues (in order of most egregious): former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; Congressman Ron Paul; former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney; former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA).

Changes to the score card include:

To access additional information on the "Republican Presidential Scorecard" featured below, please see the EMILY’s List website: http://emilyslist.org/scorecard

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 900,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 86 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.

Washington D.C. – EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock releases the following statement on the occasion of Gabrielle Giffords' decision to step down.

"I am so proud of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

"Here at EMILY's List, we've been proud of Gabby for a long time. Proud of her when she ran, as such a young woman, for the state legislature in Arizona. Proud of her when she ran for congress -- every time. Proud of her during her last election, when she talked about her positions on things like health care and border security, and was re-elected by constituents who realized that Gabby Giffords was the real deal: tough, resolute, and more focused on doing what was right for folks in Arizona than on political expediency.

"But never have we been more proud of Gabby then over the last year. In the face of unimaginable tragedy and pain, she has shown courage and strength -- limitless strength, it has seemed. We are so proud of Gabby's remarkable, and ongoing, recovery. In the face of personal grief and challenges, she has reminded all of us of the power we have to get through the worst of times. We are so proud of her dignity, and her deep responsibility to her community.

"Today, we thank Gabby for her service in the House of Representatives, but we also know that Gabby's service isn't over. Gabby is that rare person: a leader who transcends her job and with every action she takes sends a beacon for the rest of us to follow. With every step I see Gabby take -- steps I know she has worked hard to take -- my resolution to honor her determination and grit, her grace and dignity -- grows.

We pledge to Gabby that EMILY's List will always be behind her, wherever her path takes her. We will honor Gabby every day by working to make sure that strong, determined, bright young women of integrity and joy know that they can be leaders at every level of government, right up to the highest -- and that they feel the strength of the EMILY's List community behind them, as Gabby has.

"And we thank Gabby, for so many things. We thank Gabby for never wavering in her pursuit of jobs, security, and the opportunity to bring up healthy families on behalf of her constituents. For letting us see, in her partnership with husband Mark Kelly, a marriage of true equals who delight in each other's differences. We thank her for hiring a staff of men and women of all ages who share her extraordinary energy and sense of purpose.

"And above all, we thank Gabby for letting EMILY's List walk with her every step of the way. In big cities and in small towns throughout this country, hundreds of thousands of EMILY's List members have been inspired by Gabby, and felt, in ways large and small, a part of her efforts to make this country better and of her many, many victories.

"We are humbled by Gabby, we are inspired by Gabby, and we promise to carry on Gabby's dedication to public service every day."

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 900,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 86 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.

EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, today releases their evaluation of front runners going into South Carolina – and exposes what South Carolina women and families should know about their records and their values.

New Hampshire Pick #1: Former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney:
Romney Likes “Being Able to Fire People.”
In South Carolina, the unemployment rate was 9.9 in November 2011, which meant there were 213,500 unemployed people in the state.

New Hampshire Pick #2: Congressman Ron Paul:
Paul Voted Against The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
In South Carolina, a woman working full time is paid $31,010 per year, while a man working full time is paid $39,648 per year—creating a wage gap of $8,638 between full time working men and women in South Carolina. As a group, full time working women lose approximately $4.9 million each year due to the wage gap, which is critical since over 250,000 households in the state are headed by women and 34% of those households live below the poverty level.

New Hampshire Pick #3: Former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich:
Gingrich Praised GOP War on Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood plays a critical role in providing health care to low-income women - many who would be forced to go without health care if it was defunded. Eliminating the family planning program would stop millions of women each year from receiving preventive care. In 2008, Title X-funded centers provided contraceptive care to 95,900 women in South Carolina.

New Hampshire Pick #4: Former Senator Rick Santorum:
Rick Santorum’s aide says women shouldn’t be president because it’s against God’s will
South Carolina relies on female leadership. The state is represented by Governor Nikki Haley and depends on women owned businesses. In 2011, the state had 105,100 women owned firms, which employed 100,300 people and was credited with $14.7 million in sales. In fact, the state was ranked in the top 10 states for growth in number of women-owned businesses.

The EMILY’s List "Republican Presidential Scorecard" will be an ongoing effort to communicate with women voters about the Presidential race and what’s at stake. The scorecard will be continually updated to adjust to the changing dynamics of the primary.

The EMILY’S List "Republican Presidential Scorecard" shows the candidates who scored worst on women’s issues (in order of most egregious): former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; Congressman Ron Paul; former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney; former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA).

Changes to the scorecard include:

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 900,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 86 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- As the Presidential primary candidates once again debate for the Republican nomination, women are watching. And also judging.

In that spirit, EMILY's List is proud to announce the fifth installment…

Romney on capitalism: “We’re going to stuff it down [Obama’s] throat.”

Romney advocating for complete repeal of health care reform.

Romney saying “I pay a lot of taxes” - when his rate is 15%.

Romney: This president is the biggest impediment to job growth in this country.

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 900,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 86 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- As the Presidential primary candidates once again debate for the Republican nomination, women are watching. And also judging.

In that spirit, EMILY's List is proud to announce the fourth installment…

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 900,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 86 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- As the Presidential primary candidates once again debate for the Republican nomination, women are watching. And also judging.

In that spirit, EMILY's List is proud to announce the third installment…

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 900,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 86 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.