Meet Congresswoman Donna Edwards, one of the most dynamic women in Congress today!

About Donna Edwards:

Congresswoman Donna Edwards, a lawyer and community activist, is the first African American woman to represent Maryland. She serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure and the Science & Technology Committees. She is a member of the Progressive Caucus and Black Caucus.

Donna is a strong advocate for women.

Representative Edwards co-founded and served as the first executive director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, an advocacy and support group for battered women. She was instrumental in passing the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, signed into law by President Clinton.

Donna stands up for her beliefs. She serves as a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Living her beliefs, she was one of five lawmakers arrested outside the Sudan Embassy in 2009 during a protest against genocide in Darfur.

Donna is a progressive leader in the Democratic Party. She is working to help pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would effect a repeal of the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United.

As part of the “Red to Blue” taskforce, Congresswoman Edwards will share her strong belief about the real opportunity to turn Congress from red to blue in 2012.

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Amanda Aguirre has been involved for more than 25 years in public health education and administration with a strong emphasis in U.S.-Mexico border health issues and has lived in Yuma for the past 23 years. She possesses a life-long commitment to education since she was raised by parents who were both elementary school teachers. From them she developed her Democratic values to work hard and serve her community before all else.  Senator Aguirre holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Sonora in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. In 1981, she received her Master’s Degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in Nutrition, with a focus on feeding problems of children with developmental disabilities.  Ms. Aguirre became the first female and first Hispanic to represent District 24 (Yuma and La Paz Counties) in the Arizona State House of Representatives on February 2003, when the Yuma County Board of Supervisors appointed her to the 46th Arizona State Legislature. She was later elected to serve in the House of Representatives for a full term a year later, and the Arizona State Senate in 2006.  Other notable efforts include the successful community involved clean-up of illegal dumping sites in her district, and hosting county-wide child immunization events.

How Amanda has Helped Arizona

Amanda Aguirre sponsored a bill that passed on May 12, 2008 that adds preparatory offenses like second degree murder or sexual assault of a minor to the list of Dangerous Crimes Against Children if these crimes cause physical injury and are committed against a minor under the age of 12. She also led the fight against animal fighting in Arizona.

To see the bills she fought for, click here:

http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=63&Legislature=48&Session_ID=85

A Tempe native and graduate of Tempe Union High School, Martha has gravitated to community issues.  In 2003, Martha decided to run for and won a seat at the House of Representatives for District 13, where she has lived since 1971. She is so honored to serve the district. Martha presently serves as President of the Cartwright Elementary School Board (elected in 1998), and is a member of the National School boards Association.

How Martha has Helped Arizona

Martha Garcia advocated for child safety by sponsoring a bill that would prohibit a minor from using a cell phone while driving on a highway unless the cell phone was equipped with a hands-free device. She also fought for the environment by pushing a bill that would establish requirements and penalties for the removal of trash and other debris from private or public property, including increasing the penalty to a class 1 misdemeanor for any persons found guilty of placing trash on property not owned or controlled by them.

To see the bills she fought for, click here:

http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=24&Legislature=49&Session_ID=87

A resident of Sierra Vista, Pat has decades of public service on her resume.  Pat’s decades of experience as a budget and manpower analyst have prepared her well to ensure that the state has a balanced budget while protecting families and education. She is focused on getting real results from government programs.  She is a fiscal conservative who will fund education and vital community programs without frivolous spending.  Pat is passionate about protecting Arizona’s families, children and seniors.  She believes every child and college student deserves a world-class education.  She wants all seniors to have access to affordable prescription drugs.  Pat has been, and will continue to be, an advocate for our active duty military, our military installations, and our veterans.  Pat is a leader in our state capitol, and was one of only 8 Democratic lawmakers to pass a bill this session, a bipartisan-supported bill that allows Arizona Veterans to qualify for in-state tuition to attend any Arizona college or university. This is the kind of common-sense legislation Pat focuses on, and it is now law.  Pat is committed to preserving the ranches, farms, and rural communities that underpin such a big part of our cultural heritage.  She also works to attract new businesses that bring good jobs to our communities.

How Pat has Helped Arizona

Pat Fleming was a primary sponsor in helping pass a law that provides an honorably discharged veteran in Arizona with in-state status for the purpose of tuition at any public university or community college. In addition, she fought for the Arizona economy by sponsoring a bill that would prohibit a state governmental unit from awarding a contract to a vendor that performs work outside of the U.S. and a bill that says employers cannot harass former employees receiving disability benefits.

“All three [of these bills] are representative of the kind of legislation that would help my LD25 constituents… as well as many other Arizonans,” says Ms. Fleming

To see the bills she fought for, click here: http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=7&Legislature=49&Session_ID=87

Sharon Bronson, was first elected to office in November 1996. She represents District 3, a sprawling district of 7,403 square miles that includes all of western Pima County, AZ. and shares more than 130 miles of international border with Mexico. She has also chaired the Pima Association of Government’s Executive Committee and the local public broadcasting affiliate KUAT Communications Group’s Public Advisory Board. She is currently the Co-chair of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO).  Bronson was awarded the prestigious Women on the Move award in December of 2002 by the YWCA to honor her outstanding achievements in the workplace. Bronson earned a degree in Business Administration/Accounting with Distinction from the University of Arizona and is a member of the Business Honorary Beta Gamma Sigma.

How Sharon has Helped Arizona

Since her election to the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Bronson had led the charge for balanced smart growth strategies and was instrumental in the development and implementation of Pima County’s Award winning Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. She has also served as President of the County Supervisor’s Association of Arizona and as the President of the U.S./Mexico Border County Coalition.

Councilmember Karla Brewster was elected to a four year term on the Flagstaff City Council in May 2008.  A native of Oregon, Karla lived most of her life in the Phoenix area until moving to Flagstaff in 1998 where she enjoys working with people and diversity.  She earned degrees from Arizona State University, B.A. in Education, and University of Northern Colorado, M.A. in Education. She has been a teacher, both elementary and at the community college level, and served at John C. Lincoln hospital as an administrative assistant in the volunteer services program.  Karla is currently an administrative assistant at Northern Arizona University in the office of the Vice Provost for Undergrad Studies.  She is the president of the Democratic Women of Northern Arizona, president-elect of Classified Staff Advisory Council at NAU, past president of the Organization of Administrative Support Staff at NAU, current precinct committee person.

How Karla has Helped Arizona

Karla Brewster was elected to a four year term on the Flagstaff City Council in May 2008 and enjoys working with people and diversity. Karla’s concern in representing all citizens of Flagstaff has been to have a vision and provide the leadership for thoughtful foresighted planning for Flagstaff in growth, open spaces, water, economic development and the incorporation of alternative energies.

Kirkpatrick was born and raised on an Apache Indian reservation near McNary, Arizona. She is a graduate of Blue Ridge High School, the University of Arizona, and the University of Arizona College of Law.  In 1980 she became Coconino County’s first woman deputy county attorney, and she later served as city attorney for Sedona. She was a member of the Flagstaff Water Commission. In 2004, she taught Business Law and Ethics at Coconino Community College.”  In 2004, Kirkpatrick was elected to represent the 1st Legislative District and took office in January 2005. Kirkpatrick was elected to a second term in the state House in 2006. 

How Ann has Helped Arizona

Ann Kirkpatrick was a representative in the Arizona House as well as for Arizona’s 1^st congressional district. She was the first woman deputy county attorney in Coconino and took on leadership roles in Congress fighting for veterans’ issues, job creation and empowerment of the Native American population.

A retired farmer/rancher, Marsha received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwest Missouri State University (With Honors), a Master’s in Public Administration from Arizona State University (With Distinction), and has completed some Graduate work toward a second Master’s degree in Political Science at ASU.  She was a member of the Arizona Board of Regents (1993-2000), Assistant to the Director for Special Projects, and focused on higher education research.  She coordinated the 2000 Higher Education Arizona Town Hall Background Report and authored two chapters.  She is a registered Medical Laboratory Technologist.

How Marsha has Helped Arizona

Marsha Arzberger was a true advocate for her community when she was in office. As a member of the Arizona Board of Regents, she served as the Assistant to the Director for Special Projects by focusing on higher education research. This allowed her to help pass bills such as SB 1381, which formed community colleges in counties that did not have them. She also fought for healthcare by introducing and advocating bills like SB 1126, which gave $3 million to rural nonprofit hospitals and clinics for capital projects, medical projects and dental projects.

Meg Burton Cahill is a ceramic studio artist, a community activist, and the proud mother of a son who is a Navy SEAL.  She graduated from Arizona State University obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts and a Master Degree in Public Administration.  Meg is a graduate of Tempe Leadership; the Western State Legislative Leadership Academy; and the Kennedy School Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.  She is also a Flemming Fellow, a Toll Fellow, and a Honorary Kentucky Colonel.  In 2000, the first year of the Arizona Clean Elections system of campaign finance reform, Meg was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives.  She served three terms in the House and was elected to the Arizona Senate in 2007.  She was appointed to the Senate Health Committee and is Ranking Member.  Her appointments in the Senate include the Government Committee as well as the Commerce and Economic Development Committee; and the Interim Arizona Inter-Agency Council on Long-Term Care Committee.  Meg is a founding member of the Arizona Bi-Partisan Bi-Cameral Children’s Caucus.

How Meg has Helped Arizona

Meg Burton-Cahill helped her constituents by sponsoring a bill that would establish a business development program for minorities, women and persons with disabilities to promote the economic development business enterprises owned by minorities, women or persons with disabilities. She also fought against hate crimes by sponsoring a bill that states the department of public safety must collect information concerning criminal offenses that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability or gender identity or expression.

To see the bills she fought for, click here:

http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=108&Legislature=49&Session_ID=87