Read the full text that follows. I applaud the work that you have chosen and am excited to be here among people who care so much about children. In preparing for this speech tonight, I was interested to learn that I would be addressing an audience consisting entirely of women graduates. I have seen firsthand how women in leadership roles view things differently and are changing the way government works. Women are more likely to opt for government in public view rather than government behind closed doors.
Women are more responsive to groups previously denied full access to the policymaking process.
Women are more likely to give priority to bills dealing with women's traditional areas of interest, such as education, health care, environment and housing. We can look around and find no shortage of examples on how all issues are women's issues. Look at the Million Moms March for sensible gun control policies. Or consider the integrated criminal justice information systems legislation we passed this year, largely due to the tireless efforts of three women - the mothers of Katie Poirier, Jacob Wetterling, and Cally Jo Larson. Unlike most men, women often need to be asked before it occurs to us to see ourselves as elected officials.