Click here to view the embedded video.

Last week we held our 14th Annual Girls’ Day at the State House, and what a day it was! I have to say that my personal favorite moment was when the girls filled the house chamber to debate and vote on a bill while Speaker of the House, Hannah Pingree, ran the debate. I learned that Maine’s future leaders are smart, articulate, passionate and great debaters.

Here are some quotes about what they learned…

“…be who you are, and you will blossom with finesse.” Sadiee, Wales

“…so much I don’t know where to begin! Although, overall, I learned that I (yes me) and anyone else can do anything! Follow your dreams and believe in yourself.” Maggie, Bar Harbor

“…a lot about press conferences and hearings. I learned about some of the women that work here. I learned that you can do anything you want if you work hard.” Hanna, Industry

“This was a great experience for me. It really helped me understand how the government works by actually being a part of it and not just reading about it in a book.” Miranda, Farmington

“Maine will set the pace nationally for replacing toxic flame retardants with truly safer alternatives,” said Michael Belliveau, executive director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center. “We applaud the pallet company iGPS for its commitment to achieve a rapid phase out of this toxic flame retardant chemical.”

The Maine legislation reflects a negotiated agreement between the Speaker and iGPS, the company that pioneered the use of lightweight, high tech plastic pallets that have rapidly gained market share against traditional wood pallets, and environmental public health advocates, including Environmental Health Strategy Center, Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine.

The Maine law will set the terms for the company’s replacement of Deca nationwide. Under the Maine bill:

• The company will fund an independent alternatives assessment study at a cost of up to $250,000, to be managed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP);

• If the DEP determines that safer alternatives are likely to exist based on the study results, then the use of decaBDE in pallets must be ended early – within 12 months and no later than January 1, 2012;

• The final phase out deadline may be extended only if more time is needed by the company to complete fire safety or performance testing or modify the manufacturing process, but the use of Deca in new pallets must end by January 1, 2013; and

• The replacements for DecaBDE must be safer alternatives – the Maine law bans the use of other brominated or chlorinated flame retardants or other persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals as substitutes for Deca.

The Maine bill will require further votes before becoming law, but with unanimous support in Committee and the support of the plastic pallet company affected and Maine Governor John Baldacci, final passage of the legislation in the next few weeks is virtually assured.

The legislation, LD 1568, An Act to Clarify Maine’s Phase-Out of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), builds on laws previously passed in Maine in 2004 to ban the Penta and Octa PBDE flame retardants and in 2007 to ban Deca in televisions, computers, mattresses and textiles. Several other states have begun to phase out PBDEs in products including Washington, Vermont, Oregon and California. Maine Speaker Pingree’s mother, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has introduced HR 4394, the Deca Elimination and Control Act, to phase out deca in all uses nationwide. In December 2009, three manufacturers of Deca announced a voluntary agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to end production of Deca for most uses before January 1, 2014. The national voluntary agreement, however, does not restrict specific product uses, would not affect the use of Deca in products imported into the United States, is not enforceable and does not ensure that safer alternatives will replace Deca.

Decabrominated diphenyl ether (DecaBDE) is a high volume, general purpose flame retardant chemicals that’s been added to plastics and synthetic fibers to slow the spread of flames in the event of a fire. Deca is a PBT – persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. It is long-lived in the environment, except when exposed to sunlight which breaks it down into more toxic byproducts. Deca and its toxic byproducts build up to higher levels in the food web, including human breast milk, and the environment. The PBDEs including Deca have been shown to damage the growing brain of newborn animals causing hyperactivity, learning disabilities and impulsive behavior. These chemicals also wreak havoc with thyroid hormones, which are essential to normal brain development and metabolism. Deca and other PBDEs threaten children’s health.”

So, I started asking around … and here are some reflections from the women of the Maine Women’s Lobby:

Director of Public Policy, Laura Harper, and some of her lobbyists cohorts.

Here’s what Laura had to say:

I feel certain that my experiences lobbying for marriage equality will never be matched. Every day, I came out to legislators. I shared with them my commitment for my partner, Lauren, our engagement, and the fears and discrimination I have faced during our partnership because we can’t get married.

It was a rush. It was exhausting. It was scary. It was joyful.

When the Governor signed the bill into law, I was waiting with other advocates outside his office. When a member of his staff discreetly stuck her head around the door and whispered, “He signed it,” I knew I was a part of Maine history. I knew it would be a moment I would never forget, similar to when President Obama was elected or when we finally passed the anti-discrimination law in Maine.

I will return to that moment again and again. There will always be a part of me that will never age, there will always be a young woman standing there in her little suit with her sweaty armpits and rumpled tissue thinking, “Oh my God, we’ve actually won.”

Here’s Sarah, our Executive Director:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s Kim Simmons, one of our board members:

The highlight of the 124th Legislative session, for me, was the passage of the Marriage Equality Bill!  I am impressed with the cooperation that emerged in the 124th Legislature and with the fact that our leadership is female. Nevertheless, I was disappointed not to see more radical and progressive action taken to redistribute wealth in our state, to protect the poor, and to address the absence of paid sick leave which creates both the potential for a public health crisis and family emergencies on daily basis. It seems to me that we have a unique moment to truly push for tax policy that is rooted in social justice priorities and reflects the interests of most Maine people, and I hope that more progressive and innovative thinking will emerge in the second session of the 124th!

Charlotte at the State House

And, here’s what I think:

So, when I think back on the 124th session of the Maine Legislature, my first thought is, “phew … it’s over.” And don’t get me wrong, I love the excitement of the session. I love the exhilaration of the wins – and the opportunity of the losses. And, I guess in a lot of ways I would describe this past session as a roller-coaster ride – we were up, we were down, we were recessed, we were tabled … Oh yeah, I was paying attention to the play-by-play afforded to us by Laura, her Blackberry, and Twitter … and I was addicted! Check out our newsletter archive to review the roller-coaster ride.

So, enough about us. What do you think? Add your reflections today.

PS: Yes, “phew” is actually a word. It’s in the dictionary and everything.

Thanks everyone,

Charlotte

The Women’s Leadership Action Coalition is a group of 20+ organizations advocating for women and girls. Among those represented today: Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community, Maine Equal Justice, Maine Women’s Lobby and Maine Women’s Policy Center, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Maine Civil Liberties Union, Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center, Business and Professional Women, AAUW, League of Women Voters, Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and more!

Reflecting on what life was like for me as an 8th grade girl – growing up on a farm in central Maine – I feel pride for my participation in the program. At 13, I could have really used a day of leadership training. I would have greatly profited from a day that celebrated strength, knowledge, and leadership.

This was the 13th year that the Maine Women’s Policy Center has hosted Girls’ Day at the State House. The day is designed to inspire leadership in the participants, and judging from the girls’ reactions from the day, the goal was met! Check out the Girls’ Day website to read some quotes from the girls.

Visit our YouTube channel to view a collection of videos and photos from the day.

Click below to view a special message to the girls from House Speaker Hannah Pingree.

Click here to view the embedded video.