OUR MISSION:


The mission of the Democratic Women's Political Action Committee of Maryland is to elect dynamic Democratic women to local and state office in Maryland through the engagement of diverse women in the political process. "Dynamic women" are actively committed to making positive changes in the laws, policies and budgets of Maryland state and local governments in order to achieve important policy goals.

OUR HISTORY:


During the 2002 Maryland state elections, a small group of women in Baltimore County looked at the local candidates and noticed there were no new Democratic women running for any state or local offices. This group began meeting to discuss why more women weren't running for office and brainstorming ways to encourage women candidates.

In May 2003, more than fifty women gathered to hear House Delegate Maggie McIntosh talk about "Changing the Face of Power." These women were concerned that the issues they care about were not being represented. They were concerned about the lack of new women candidates and the low turnout among women voters. At the end of the meeting, the question asked was "What Next? Where to we go from here?"

Inspired by the passion, concern and commitment of these women, the Democratic Women's PAC of Maryland was created in the Summer of 2003 with the express goal of "electing dynamic Democratic women to local and state office in Maryland."

The DWPAC's first fundraiser was held in September 2003, featuring Traci Siegel, the political director of the Democratic National Committee. Entitled "Throw your hat in the ring," this event, which attracted close to 100 women, was the first step in encouraging local women leaders and activists to consider themselves as future candidates for public office.

In 2005, just two years later, the DWPAC hosted a major fundraiser at the American Visionary Art Museum with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz as its featured speaker. Congresswoman Schultz emphasized how having women lawmakers at the table does make a difference for us all in the laws and policies that result.

With the money raised from supporters and events, the DWPAC was able to endorse six candidates for state and local office in 2006. At the DWPAC's 2006 December event, the endorsed candidates discussed pointedly the difficulties women candidates face, and particularly first-time women candidates, in raising the money needed to mount a successful campaign. The candidates cited the DWPAC's endorsement, bringing money and access to its network, as valuable and urged the DWPAC to continue in its mission and grow its capacity for the next election cycle.