10-24-2021 Women to Watch - Flipbook - Page 35
breaks for donations to diaper banks.
The caucus has avoided wading into thornier issues, given partisan differences, such as proposals
on access to abortion procedures or requiring employers to give workers paid family leave.
“It’s important for us to be able to have bills that
have bipartisan approval,” Kittleman said. “For anything to be bipartisan these days, I consider it to be
a real coup.”
The leadership of the caucus also moves between Democrats and Republicans. After Healey, a
Democrat, finishes her turn as president, the next
president is slated to be Del. Lauren Arikan, a Republican representing parts of Harford and Baltimore counties.
The caucus represents not just ideological and
political differences, but it also has broad geographic, racial and generational representation. Del. Edith
Patterson, the caucus secretary and a Charles County Democrat, said younger lawmakers have brought
up issues such as accessibility of private areas in
workplaces for employees to pump breastmilk.
“We represent the diversity of the state,” Patterson said.
Sometimes, though, the common experience of
being a woman means there’s no need for explanation on why an issue is important.
“I think it’s made a real difference in the type of
laws we pass,” said Sen. Susan Lee, a Montgomery tarily have epinephrine pens available for customCounty Democrat and past caucus president. “We’ve ers with allergic reactions.
lived many of these challenges.”
The caucus has also taken on issues beyond legisThe Women’s Caucus has also served as a sound- lation and outside of the State House.
ing board for new members learning how to naviAfter a group of women veterans made a pregate the legislative process and address constituent sentation to the women’s caucus several years
concerns. Caucus members also get a chance to con- ago, members were inspired to do more for them.
nect with lawmakers who have different areas of They’ve since worked to honor women in service,
expertise and interest.
from World War II veterans to
The caucus
Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, an
future military leaders in univerrepresents not just
Eastern Shore Republican, said
sity ROTC programs.
ideological and
she’s formed professional relaThis fall, after reviewing appolitical differences, plicants for a vacant seat on the
tionships as well as friendships
but it also has broad Court of Appeals, the state’s highthrough the women’s caucus.
geographic, racial
That’s led to teaming up with
est court, the caucus endorsed a
and generational
other women lawmakers, includfemale applicant and sent a letrepresentation.
ing Democrats, to promote legter of support to Gov. Larry Hoislation outside of the caucus’s
gan.
priorities.
The caucus also has promoted
“Through the Women’s Caucus, you realize the Women’s History Month each March and celebratinterests and strengths of your colleagues,” she said. ed the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment,
“You see they’re interested in this and you have a which gave some women the right to vote for the
bill your constituents are asking you to be involved first time in the United States.
with. You can find that bipartisan interest and sup“We want to advocate for women’s opportunities
port.”
in society and in government and in leadership genFor example, Carozza said she’s worked with oth- erally,” Healey said.
er women’s caucus members to pass bills on drunk Baltimore Sun researcher Paul McCardell contributed
driving penalties and allowing businesses to volun- to this article.
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