Yahoo Style
8 Women Who are Changing the Face of Politics for 2016
Yahoo Style
Updated
Amanda Renteria
1 of 8
Party: Democrat Who She Is: Amanda Renteria is Hillary Clinton’s brand-new political director, and the Senate’s first Latina chief of staff. She’s also a former Democratic candidate for Congress in California. Why She Matters: Renteria is an experienced Hill staffer with a bright, shiny reputation. She’s considered a bit of a threat to the GOP; as the Washington Journal notes, “Renteria could be a secret weapon for Clinton in keeping the campaign and the minority party in Congress on the same page.” The mom of two is reported to be “warm, but tough,” with a solid track record in coalition-building, and could prove to be a key figure in making or breaking Clinton’s path in 2016.
Rep. Mia Love
2 of 8
Party: Republican Who She Is: In 2014, Mia Love – the U.S. Representative from Utah’s 4th congressional district – became the first black Republican woman elected to Congress. She’s also the first African American of either gender to be elected to Congress from Utah. Fun fact: she also once worked as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines (pre-politics, obvs). Why She Matters: Since entering the local political fray in 2004, the young mom with traditional Republican politics (anti-abortion, “nay” on Obamacare, etc.) has worked hard to make a name for herself. Love isn’t shy about her disdain for Dem policies, or, well, Dems in general – on Facebook, she bashed Hillary Clinton’s April announcement of her presidential run. But Love’s success could signal 2016 as a possible extension of 2015’s “year of the woman of color in politics,” as USA Today dubbed it. Indeed, Love’s arrival in Congress was heralded as a massive step in the right direction for the GOP – a party traditionally seen as “full of angry old white men”. Love’s ascent is Republican progress, especially because her home state of Utah is less than 1 percent black. With more gender- and racially diverse folks among its elected public faces, the GOP could attract a broader base in 2016.
Elise Stefanik
3 of 8
Party: Republican Who She Is: In 2014, Stefanik became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress (she was all of 30) when she won upstate New York’s 21st Congressional District. Why She Matters: Stefanik’s arrival on the scene was hailed as a welcome respite in the perpetual old-white-men Washington politics game. Her success isn’t a panacea for a sexist system, but it does show that – finally! – younger and younger women have a shot at making it into the hallowed halls of Congress. That doesn’t mean it’s been easy for her, though. In an interview with WNYT, she acknowledged that her youth makes her “unique … [It] gives me a platform that’s different when you look around the rest of Congress.” And Stefanik has been using that platform to reach other young women, and getting praise from big lady-mags like Glamour and Marie Claire.
Amanda Brown
4 of 8
Party: Democrat, it appears (worked for the Obama campaign from 2007-2011) Who She Is: Amanda Brown has accomplished an intimidatingly sweeping amount in her less than 30 years on the planet. Currently the executive director of the National Women’s Business Council (an independent advisory panel to the president and Congress on economic issues important to female business-owners), Brown worked for Barack Obama from 2007-2011 and later worked as National Political Director for Rock the Vote. Why She Matters: A 2014 Forbes magazine “30-under-30” recipient in law and policy, Brown’s current gig has major cachet when it comes to helping enact policies that benefit female entrepreneurs. And female entrepreneurs are an ever-growing chunk of America, and thus an ever-growing voting segment: today, approximately 29 percent of America’s business owners are female. This means Brown’s work has the power to shape game-changing policies for working women like, well, most of us.
Jessica N. Grounds
5 of 8
Party: Democrat Who She Is: As the co-founder of the organization Running Start, Jessica Grounds has dedicated her career to helping young women get a foot in the door in DC. Currently the director of the Women’s Office of Ready for Hillary, Grounds is also the former president & board member of WUFPAC (Women Under 40 Political Action Committee). Why She Matters: Though Grounds may not be running for office herself anytime soon (hey, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen one day), Grounds has done just about everything when it comes to helping bolster women in politics. From co-founding her group to working in Democratic strategy firms to political consulting and giving women’s leadership trainings at Yale University, the Women & Politics Institute, National Association of Women Business Owners and more, Grounds is a behind-the-scenes worker bee with the power to influence the number of women in office in 2016.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
6 of 8
Party: Democrat Who She Is: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii made waves when, in 2013, she became the first-ever Hindu-American in Congress. One of Congress’ youngest members at age 34, Gabbard is also a Hawaii Army National Guard captain and an Iraq War vet. Why She Matters: Gabbard was recently named one of the 25 most influential women in politics by CQ Roll Call, and for good reason. As one of two honorary co-chairs of the College Democrats and a member of the Future Forum, Gabbard travels across the country talking to college-age voters about important election issues like student-loan debt, unemployment, savings, and home ownership. Keeping that voting bloc engaged is crucial for next year, and being rather sprightly herself, Gabbard has an enviable connection with young people. Gabbard also isn’t afraid of brazenly speaking up for what she believes in, even if it means lobbing a few harsh words at fellow Dems (including the prez). In May, she made headlines for criticizing Barack Obama’s refusal to take a harder strategy stance on ISIS. “I think it’s unfortunate — and people in both parties are guilty of this — when a blind eye is turned simply because it’s your friend or your party who is in a position of power,” she explained to The Hill.
Sarah Isgur Flores, Deputy Campaign Manager for Carly Fiorina for President
7 of 8
Party: Republican Who She Is: Earlier this year, GOP contender Fiorina snagged the 30-something (and annoyingly gorgeous) Sarah Isgur Flores from the Republican National Committee to serve as her deputy campaign manager. Flores certainly isn’t lacking in the impressive-experience department: she’s worked as an adviser to Mitt Romney in his 2012 presidential bid, and as the political director for Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Oh, she’s got a law degree from Harvard. Why She Matters: Carly Fiorina’s chances of landing the GOP nomination are reportedly quite slim. But, as the race’s sole female contender other than Hillary Clinton, she’s expected to have a major impact on the overall course of the election – “Meet the Press” believes she could very well become the GOP’s vice-presidential nominee. As Fiorina’s deputy campaign director, Isgur Flores is one of the Fiorina’s key behind-the-scenes figures pulling the strings that will ultimately help determine Fiorina’s – and ostensibly the country’s – fate.
Cristina Jimenez
8 of 8
Party: no affiliation (yet) Who She Is: Cristina Jimenez is co-founder and managing director of United We Dream, one of the biggest youth-led organizations in the country. The group is a nationwide network that advances immigration rights by promoting the passage of pro-immigrant policies at both local and national levels. Why She Matters: Named by Forbes as one of the most influential under-30 U.S. activists, Jimenez is die-hard about what she does – in part because it’s affected her personally. She and her family came over from Mexico when she was 13, and in interviews Jimenez recalled being “in fear” in college because of her lack of papers. That drove her to fight, and begin getting active on behalf of immigrants. “I dream of the day when there is no fear of deportation, when we can attend college freely, when our parents leave for work and we are certain that they will return,” she’s said. Jimenez is one of the biggest voices for Latino youth, and her work actually changes things. In 2012, United We Dream’s pushed for immigration-law professors to petition President Obama to defer immigrations, and Obama ended up listening and launching a new program.
It might not feel like it, but the 2016 elections are right around the corner. Thankfully, there are some very cool women working both behind the scenes and on the proverbial DC front lines to help make it a milestone election, no matter which way the noms – er, the winds – blow. What better time to get acquainted? The ladies below may not be full-on bold-face names (yet), but they’re all, without a doubt, players to watch.
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