Commitment to supporting female candidates is reflected in ballot line-up for Nov.

DENVER - Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak will join Colorado's diverse slate of women candidates in celebrating Women's Equality Day on Saturday August 26th. Women's Equality Day was designated by the United States Congress in 1971, under the leadership of Democratic Congresswoman Bella Abzug (NY). The date commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920. After a 70-year struggle, the 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote.

Pat Waak issued the following statement on Women's Equality Day:

"Eighty-six years later the right to vote is just as important as it was when suffragists first spoke out. Unfortunately, the right to vote is still under assault by Republicans who have crafted restrictive and discriminatory voter ID laws. These laws would work to disenfranchise young people, seniors, minorities, rural voters and the disabled.

Combined with vulnerabilities in voting machines and recent Republican attempts to water down the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act, the right to vote still needs to be protected.

Democrats believe that the more people who vote the better it is for our Democracy. Unfortunately Republicans see lack of voter participation as an
opportunity for political power plays and a chance to further their extreme ideology. The less people who vote the more likely we are to see policies that do not reflect the values and choices of America's women. When women vote we can take a stand against Republican attempts to stall on the approval of emergency contraception despite sound scientific and clinical evidence.

Women can take a stand against Washington Republicans who have prioritized an irresponsible estate tax that would benefit a mere 8,200 people over an increase in minimum wage which would benefit 6.6 millions American workers.

Eighty-six years later we have made tremendous strides towards true equality, but there is still much work to be done.

Here in Colorado we have an exciting roster of elected women officials and women candidates including U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, State Senators Joan Fitz-Gerald. Lois Tochtrop and Betty Boyd, State Senate candidates Gail Schwartz and Peggy Noonan, candidate for U.S. Rep. Angie Paccione, Attorney General candidate Fern O'Brien, State Treasurer candidate Cary Kennedy, State Representatives Alice Madden, Judy Solano, Gwyn Green, Debbie Benefield, and State Board of Education members Evie Hudak and Karen Middleton.

Together, these women will offer a new direction for Colorado and a clear alternative to the failed polices of Bush Republicans. As we celebrate Women's Equality Day we should reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the voices of women are reflected on the ticket and in the ballot box."