March is National Women’s History Month, and today March 8th is International Women’s Day. The Colorado Democratic Party takes this opportunity to honor the Democratic Women of Colorado who are providing leadership to the state at every level.

Some examples of our leadership include the following:

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette, dean of the Colorado congressional delegation and the national leader on funding for embryonic stem cell research.

First Lady Jeanne Ritter, who has worked with educational challenges in Colorado and as a missionary and Peace Corps volunteer in the continent of Africa.

Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien, who has been a pioneer in representing the needs of children in Colorado, even before she was elected to her new post.

Colorado State Treasurer, Cary Kennedy, who brings a new level of excellence to the office through her experience as a chief budget officer in the state legislature.

Senator Joan Fitz-Gerald, president of the Colorado Senate and president of the national Democratic Leadership Campaign Committee, devoted to good governance at the state level.

House Majority Leader Alice Madden, selected as the 2007 Democrat of the Year and one of the prime movers of the Project New West.

Colorado State Party Chair Pat Waak, who worked in Africa, Asia, Latin America with Peace Corps and the U.S. Agency for International Development, before focusing her attention on democratic participation in Colorado.

Democratic National Committee member, Debbie Marquez, who devotes her energy to making sure that the voices of Latino and other under represented voters get heard at the national level.

Former Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, who successfully promoted the site selection of Denver for the 2008 Democratic National Committee Convention, while looking after the needs of the people in her district.

We are proud to honor these and other elected and volunteer officials throughout the state. They spend every day working to improve the health and well-being of the citizens of this state.

A partial honor roll in addition to the above:

State Senate – Senator Jennifer Viega, Senator Lois Tochtrop, Senator Betty Boyd, Senator Moe Keller, Senator Sue Windels, Senator Paula Sandoval, Senator Stephanie Takis, Senator Suzanne Williams, Senator Gail Schwartz

State House – Rep. Anne McGihon, Rep. Judy Solano, Rep. Debbie Benefield, Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, Rep. Nancy Todd, Rep. Rosemary Marshall, Rep. Dorothy Butcher, Rep. Morgan Carroll, Rep. Cheri Jahn, Rep. Sara Gagliardi, Rep. Dianne Primavera, Rep. Alice Borodkin, Rep. Jeanne Labuda, Rep. Claire Levy, Rep. Kathleen Curry, Rep. Mary Hodge, Rep. Buffie McFadyen, Rep. Gwyn Green

Colorado State Board of Education – Elaine Berman, Evie Hudak, Karen Middleton

University of Colorado Board of Regents – Cindy Carlisle

Colorado Democratic Party Officers – Margaret Atencio, second vice-chair; Carolyn Boller, secretary

Democratic National Committee Members – Maria Handley, Ramona Martinez