Although tweets are limited to 140 characters, women in politics manage to use this social media platform to fully express themselves. Using Twitter, women in politics are able to connect with their constituents and let the world know what they are up to. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
Former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton alluded to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s success at the 2015 FIFA World Cup with her inspirational tweet. In her kickoff speech, Clinton outlined how she wants to build towards “an America where a father can tell his daughter: yes, you can be anything you want to be. Even President of the United States.”
From the soccer field to the White House—girls can do anything. pic.twitter.com/C6pTZGI0DR
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 6, 20152. Emily’s List
In a Tweet, Emily’s List proves that a single change in punctuation can go a long way. The organization, dedicated to “getting pro-choice Democratic women elected to office,” defiantly opposes Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush’s anti-choice views. Emily’s List wittily changes Jeb’s enthusiastic logo to one that is wavering and wishy-washy.
Jeb Bush wants to generate enthusiasm, but we think his anti-choice policies fall flat. So we fixed his logo. pic.twitter.com/fehM9WRSju
— EMILY's List (@emilyslist) July 6, 2015Along with the pope, California Congresswoman Judy Chu holds humans responsible for contributing to the impending climate change crisis. Chu outright calls the Republican party #irresponsible for proposing cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Science is clear: we are contributing to #climatechange. But instead of cutting emissions, @GOP this week wants to cut @EPA #irresponsible
— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) July 6, 2015Just hours before South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signed a bill to remove the Confederate flag, Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing Alabama’s 7th congressional district called the Republican Party out for being “disgraceful.” Sewell’s call-to-action will be brought into full fruition when the flag comes down, which is scheduled to take place Friday morning.
I #StandWithCharleston calling on @HouseGOP to drop this disgraceful gambit that represents hatred and racism! #TakeItDown
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) July 9, 2015While the U.S. Women’s National Team clinched the championship title at the 2015 World Cup, President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards hopes that these women can also clinch equal pay. The U.S. women’s team receives $2 million in prize money, yet in the previous World Cup, the victorious German men’s team received $35 million. What’s up with that?
And while you're still celebrating, time for equal pay for women's soccer champs! http://t.co/mFMsrq6el3 #SheBelieves
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) July 6, 2015California Rep. Barbara Lee is a proponent of protecting the right of women to make decisions about their reproductive health and she has introduced a bill in Congress that reflects this initiative. Lee has spearheaded the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act which aims at lifting bans on abortion coverage. Renowned comedian Sarah Silverman also took to Twitter to applaud Lee’s efforts using #4EACHofUs.
Just introduced new bill to ensure poor women can access their constitutional rights to reproductive care #4EACHofUs pic.twitter.com/aWrR6YpVEq
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) July 8, 2015Kerry Washington has not only been recognized for her outstanding performances as a renowned actress, but she has also gained notoriety as a political activist, being named one of Time’s “Most Influential People in the World.” She visited the newly opened Center for Human and Civil Rights in Atlanta, GA and had a “TRULY amazing morning” at the site.
Had a TRULY amazing morning at the phenomenal @ctr4chr #CenterForHumanAndCivilRights If you are… https://t.co/H1r2ldHnko
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) July 9, 2015Businessperson, philanthropist, co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and now #STEM women’s activist. Melinda Gates is eager to see women advance in the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
I'm impatient to see faster progress for women in #STEM: http://t.co/No7i9dquMZ pic.twitter.com/BhZBosieYs
— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) July 8, 2015With an imminent deadline for an Iran nuclear deal set for today, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn vehemently opposes any such agreement. The Tennessee Representative frames the Arab country as one that sponsors terrorism and believes America should continue to enforce sanctions on Iran.
I oppose the nuclear deal w/ Iran. The US should keep sanctions in place & must not allow Iran to expand their sponsorship of terrorism.
— Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) July 6, 2015Congresswoman Frederica Wilson has been using her political prowess to direct attention to the 200 schoolgirls who were kidnapped in April 2014 from Chibok, Nigeria. Along with introducing a bipartisan resolution in Congress, Wilson poses frequently in front of Capitol Hill with fellow politicians and supporters with signs saying #BringBackOurGirls. In her Tweet, Wilson even calls for U.S. House Speaker John Boehner to join in on the photo-op.
Comrades in Arms to #BringBackOurGirls Join us next week, @SpeakerBoehner: pic.twitter.com/MIDX8CL06u
— Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) July 9, 2015For more news on women in politics click here.
Zoe Elfenbein