Women matter in Maryland

Maryland is on the verge of a very disappointing precipice. After the November elections, the Maryland congressional delegation could have no female members — for the first time since 1973. This is especially troubling in Maryland not only because women make up about 60 percent of the electorate but also because of Maryland’s long history of supporting female elected officials.

As Marylanders, we pride ourselves on our diversity and inclusiveness. For more than four decades, we have understood the value of having women among those representing our state in Congress. That’s why it’s noteworthy that the Democrat congressional ticket has a glaringly obvious hole – no women. In other words, if Democrats were to sweep all of the congressional elections except the 1st District, as some pundits are predicting, our congressional delegation would be made up entirely of men. That is why we agree with Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), who said, “What I want to know from my Democratic Party is . . ,. when will the voices of women . . . when will our voices be effective, legitimate equal leaders in a big-tent party?”

Maryland is filled with intelligent and successful women on both sides of the aisle, including Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat, and Marjorie Holt, who, 40 years ago, was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Maryland. Holt paved the way for other Maryland women to get involved in public service, including Reps. Helen Bentley, Beverly Byron and Connie Morella, Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey and our current female members of Congress, Edwards and Mikulski. All of these women paved the way for us. It is unbelievable that Maryland Democrats do not have even one of the many strong, capable, intelligent and thoughtful women in our state among their nominees. In stark contrast to Democrats, the Republican congressional ticket includes a woman running for Senate and a woman running for the House.
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