Implementing the contract with Women of the USA -- Women state legislators lead the way.

principle #1: Empowerment of Women

We pledge to work for empowerment of women in all their diversity through equal participation in decision making and equal access to shared power in government, in all spheres and at every level of society.

* According to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), 67 women serve in the United States Congress in 2000 -- nine women in the Senate and 58 in the House of Representatives -- representing only 12 percent of the 535 elected members. Of these, only 20 are women of color -- representing 3 percent of the Congress. Of the 20 women of color, 14 are women of African descent, five are Latinas, one is Asian American/Pacific Islander, and none are Native American women. Two of the women of African descent serve as non-voting Delegates to the House -- representing Washington, DC and the Virgin Islands.

* This pattern of underrepresentation of women is repeated at the state level. Women represent 30 percent or more of state legislators in only eight of the 50 states (40.8 percent in Washington, 36.5 percent in Nevada, 35.6 percent in Arizona, 34 percent in Colorado, 33.3 percent in Kansas, 31.8 percent in New Hampshire, 31.7 percent in Vermont, and 30 percent in Oregon). In 2000, women are only 22.5 percent (1,669) of all state legislators (7,424) in the United States. Women of color are especially underrepresented; only 251 women of color serve in state legislatures -- comprising only 3.4 percent of the total and only 15 percent of all women legislators.

principle #2: Sharing Family Responsibilities

We pledge to work for equal sharing of family responsibilities, recognition and respect for the diversity of families, and for practices and policies that enhance the multiple roles, security and well-being of women and girls, men and boys.

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE