Debbie Riddle

U.S. Elected Women Observe Iraqi Elections; Witness Fearless Determination

// March 8th, 2010 // Uncategorized

Please find the following press release issued by the National Foundation for
Women Legislators regarding the delegation who monitored yesterday’s election’s
in Iraq.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 8, 2010

U.S. ELECTED WOMEN OBSERVE IRAQI ELECTIONS;
WITNESS FEARLESS DETERMINATION

(WASHINGTON, DC) –A delegation of U.S. elected women from across the nation
selected by the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) in conjunction
with the U.S. Department of State served as official Election Observers in
Baghdad yesterday.

DELEGATION MEMBERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PHONE INTERVIEWS FROM IRAQ ON MARCH 8TH 2010, UNTIL 4PM EST. TO SECURE AN INTERVIEW PLEASE EMAIL JENNIFER_ROSEN@WOMENLEGISLATORS.ORG IMMEDIATELY AND PROVIDE YOUR CELL NUMBER AND 2HR WINDOW OF AVAILABILITY.

The NFWL Delegation released the following statement:

We were honored to bear witness to the Iraqi People’s fearless determination to
exercise their right to vote, even in the wake of violence and bombs aimed at
disrupting the election. We met a brave woman who assured us, “I voted today as
a challenge to the terrorists!” She told us that violent attempts to scare
Iraqis would only encourage more people like her to get out and vote. We
witnessed a determined man named Ahmed bring his wife and 2 daughters ages 2 and
4 to vote. He was eager to tell us that, “For 30 years, we lived under Saddam’s
dictatorship without the freedoms we’re voting for today. Even though there are
bombs and violence, and people will die trying to vote today, the people of Iraq
will vote because we see it as a tax for freedom that we are willing to pay for
with our lives. We are on a train to freedom and my family and I will do our
part in making sure we don’t come off that freedom track.” In the face of death
and violence, today [March 7th] the National Foundation for Women Legislators
proudly stood with courageous Iraqi voters as they cast their votes for
democracy.

· State Representative Debbie Riddle (R-Houston, Texas), Chairman Elect
NFWL

· State Representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-St. Louis, Missouri)

· State Representative Bette Grande (R-Fargo, North Dakota)

· State Representative Gayle Harrell (R-Port St. Lucie, Florida)

· State Representative Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington, Delaware)

· State Representative Susana A. Mendoza (D-Chicago, Illinois)

· State Representative Diane Winston (R-Covington, Louisiana)

NFWL is one of only two groups of Americans that were invited to oversee Iraq’s
election on March 7th. The other group includes former Members of Congress.

NFWL has been asked to participate in the Iraqi elections due to the unique
status of women in Iraq. There are over one million widows in Iraq, many very
highly educated, and there is a requirement that 25% of the candidates on the
ballot be women. NFWL is charged with bringing a calm and credible presence to
the elections, and women leaders such as the hearty band of 7 women leaders
representing NFWL recognize the importance of free and fair elections to the
stability of Iraq and the United States’ national security.

The women leaders were invited to join this delegation to lend their integrity
and experience to a process that is new to the citizens of Iraq, and graciously
answered the call.

“These incredible women have shown themselves to be strong leaders through NFWL
and I know their presence in Iraq during this historic time will ensure the
Iraqi people have a real chance at Democracy,” stated Robin Read, NFWL’s
President and CEO.

NFWL has been invited by the U.S. Department of State and foreign nations to
bring delegations of elected women together to monitor elections, mentor women
leaders across the globe, and participate in important dialogues concerning free
trade and other vital issues on several occasions starting in 1993.

“There is a sense expressed by our elected women that Iraq is an incredibly
important place to reach out, not only because of the United States’ current
relationship with the country but also due to women in Iraq traditionally having
enjoyed a unique level of education and public visibility.” stated Read. “We see
a wonderful opportunity to empower and support women in public leadership in
Iraq.”

About the National Foundation for Women Legislators, Inc. (NFWL)
Through annual educational and networking events, the National Foundation for
Women Legislators supports elected women from all levels of governance. As a
non-profit, non-partisan organization, NFWL does not take ideological positions
on public policy issues, but rather serves as a forum for women legislators to
be empowered through information and experience. www.womenlegislators.org