Another reason for our discomfort when it comes to fundraising is that most women entering politics today, like me, come from backgrounds in teaching or nursing. As a result, we don't have a vast network of wealthy and connected friends and co-workers. On the other hand, most male candidates come from the business world, so their first fund-raising forays are as easy as dialing through their rolodexes. Similarly, women aren't accustomed to contributing to political campaigns. Again, we have no problem donating to charities or other institutions, but political money, and the power it brings, is something new to us.
Research has other bad news for women in political life.
The business community is downright unfriendly to women elected officials. Unfortunately, the traditional chauvinistic business community stereotypes women's priorities as health care and childcare. In other words, they do not see women as capable of effectively representing them on issues such as taxation, tort reform and government deregulation, those issues of vital concern to corporate America's bottom line. This initiative pairs 2000 women legislators with 2000 businesswomen during the year 2000. We will expand our network, strengthen the bond between women and business, and effectively channel our resources to women candidates.