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.