By Chelsea Evara June 24, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC – One day, while browsing Elle Magazine (oh, their manicure tips are miraculous!!!) I saw a sight to behold: the 10 Most Powerful Women in DC.
Of course, I immediately thought about my Editor-In-Chief, Martha Warrington. She is totally going to be on a list like this someday. (Note from the Editor: Ms. Evara, please refrain from including personal remarks in your pieces, no matter how well-meant or accurate.)
But even our boss takes her cue from those that came before her. So, out of the list of 10, I selected the three women whose stories inspired me the most.
Tulsi Gabbard, United States Representative, Democrat, Hawaii
Mrs. Gabbard won her first election to the Hawaii House of Representatives when she was only 21! And she’s an Iraq war vet on top of it. She’s also the first Hindu to serve in Congress and is currently its youngest member.
“I get stopped by the Capitol Police,” she said. “One day I was trying to vote and they’re like, ‘Sorry, you can’t pass.’ It’s good Congress is changing to be more representative of America. It’s pretty cool to be a part of that.” Amen to that, sister!
Neera Tanden, President, Center for American Progress
Mrs. Tanden started her career in the Clinton White House and went on to be Senator Hillary Clinton’s legislative director before working on her presidential campaign and, later, Obama’s. At CAP she’s like the Policy Whisperer for everyone in town.
“When I hear talk of the ‘end of men,’ I think, Has anyone been to Washington?” she says. ” To me it seems like a fear response to the idea of women actually attaining equality. I’m the mother of a son, and I’m not lying awake at night petrified, thinking my son will lose out to all the women out there.” It’s about building a boys and girls club, and that’s something we should all be proud of!
Susan Collins, United States Senator, Republican, Maine
When Mrs. Collins was 18, she met with Senator Margaret Chase Smith, Maine’s first female member of Congress, on a trip to DC. She has now held Mrs. Smith’s seat for 17 years.
“What I’m most proud of professionally is having put together the group of 14 senators that helped bring an end to the shutdown, which was terrible policy and damaged our economy,” says Mrs. Collins. “I think the key was my willingness to step out and go to the Senate floor and outline a plan and challenge my colleagues to come out of their partisan corners, stop fighting, and start legislating.” You know what that’s called right there? Problem solving. We need more of that in DC now more than ever. Remember, no one heals themselves by wounding another!
So, why did I post all this?
To simply remind me of all those that helped blazed the path. It helps me realize my ultimate destination and gives me something to look up to. More and more women are entering the workforce every year, and it’s going to be up to us to keep chipping away at that glass ceiling!
After all, there are no limitations except those we place on ourselves. The women above are living proof of that. So dream big, plan and work hard!
Together, we can make the difference that needs to be made. We just have to keep reaching for those horizons!
(Note from the editor: Ms. Evara, your last two inspirational sign-offs were more than enough. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Also, please refrain from your borderline abuse of italics in future posts.)