The Arlington Young Democrat’s Women’s Caucus celebrated 92 years of voting rights for women and honored local women public officials at Velocity Five in Arlington. They enjoyed drinks and a quick meeting Thursday evening.
County Board member Libby Garvey, Arlington Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos, among others, attended.
Appetizers and drinks lined the tables of about two dozen people, a third of them men, with a life-size cutout of Michelle Obama watching the event from the background.
“I’ve been a member of a bazillion organizations, but this one is fantastic,” said Paradise Kendra, the Women’s Caucus Chair. “There is a care put into it.”
Many of the short speeches paid homage to the 92nd anniversary of women's suffrage, largely credited to Susan B. Anthony, the 19th century leader in the battle over civil rights for women.
“We fought so hard for the right to vote that we really ought to take advantage of it,” Morroy said.
They also discussed Rep. Todd Akin’s recent remarks that have made national news. Akins (R-2, Missouri) said that rape rarely leads to pregnancy.
The women around the table seemed less interested in the political gaff--despite the damage it has done to Republicans--and more interested in the dialog that it might produce about the Republican image of women and women's reproductive rights.
“His statements made it so clear what it’s about,” Garvey said. She added that it’s a certain set of men “who don’t want democracy” for women.
This was the caucus's third annual event celebrating "Women's Equality Day." Members of "Women for Obama" also attended.
Atima Omara-Alwala, vice-president for Young Democrats of America, said the organizations are all about “getting young people engaged in the process.”
This Sunday, Planned Parenthood will stop in Arlington for a rally, a brunch and canvassing.