An Intern’s Briefing on Capitol Hill

By Suolan Jiang on 07/28/2011 @ 03:00 PM

Late last week, I went to the Capitol Hill for a briefing on women’s rights. Female senators and women’s rights activists discussed topics like empowering women, ensuring reproductive rights, and eliminating injustice. This was a great event, at which I heard from amazing women about critical issues.

Laura MacCleery, the director of Government Relations at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said that our body is a powerful thing. A woman is, and should be, the only person who has 100% control over her body. Reproductive rights should be respected as a woman’s right. She spoke about now the global gag rule, which restricted abortion rights, especially in developing countries.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney pointed out that women and men are not equal in the constitution. Although women account for 50% of the population, we don’t have a “50%” impact except in voting. Under such circumstances, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who is an activist for women’s equality, is trying to reintroduce the Equal Rights Amendment for a vote on the floor after its passing allotted deadline in 1982. She won’t stop fighting until we are determined equals.

Eleanor Smeal, the president of the Feminist Majority, said that health care has a bigger impact on women than men. Cutting health care as a way to reduce debts is unwise, especially cutting abortion coverage. Poor and middle-class women will be severely hurt by such a decision.

After this event, my perspective was totally renewed. I know there are more things that we need to do than it seems. I’m so delighted that I had this chance to be a part of it and can continue to contribute to women’s issues as a part of No Limits.

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