>> THIS FILM WAS FUNDED IN PART BY THE BARBARA LEE FAMILY FOUNDATION.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> I AM THINKING ABOUT THE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN, BLACK WOMEN, ASIAN, WHITE, LATINA, NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN WHO THROUGHOUT OUR NATIONS HISTORY HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR THIS MOMENT TONIGHT.

WHILE I MAY BE THE FIRST WOMAN IN THIS OFFICE, I WILL NOT BE THE LAST.

[CHEERS] JUSTINE: I AM JUSTINE CALDWELL.

REP. CALDWELL: I STARTED MY WORKING POLITICS ON LGBT DISCRIMINATION ISSUES.

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD ENTER POLITICS.

WHEN I WAS IN GRADUATE SCHOOL GETTING MY DEGREE IN AMERICAN STUDIES I STARTED VOLUNTEERING ON PEOPLE.

WAS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD I THOUGHT I WOULD BE MAKING WHEN I GOT MY GRADUATE DEGREE AND BECAME A TEACHER.

WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR WAS TO DO SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

I FELT LIKE I COULD AFFECT CHANGE.

WHEN YOU WORK IN POLITICS YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY.

>> AN UNPRECEDENTED GROUNDSWELL OF WOMEN ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WOMEN LIKE ME AWAKENED BY THE RESULTS OF THE 2016 ELECTION.

>> I HAD BEEN A FAN OF HILLARY CLINTON FOR SO LONG.

I WAS SO EXCITED SHE WAS RUNNING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

OF COURSE, OVER TIME, THAT CAMPAIGN BECAME SO UGLY.

THE NASTINESS THAT WENT ON BECAUSE SHE WAS A WOMAN AND PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT WAS OK.

I WAS ANGRY.

I WAS SAD.

I WAS REALLY ANGRY.

THAT MOTIVATED ME TO SAY THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

AFTER THE ELECTION, SHE WENT ON A BOOK TOUR.

SEC.

CLINTON: THANK YOU FOR NOT GOING QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT.

I VIEW THIS BOOK AS MUCH ABOUT RESILIENCE AS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

WHEN A WOMAN RUNS, SHE HAS TO WORK EXTRA HARD TO CONVINCE OTHER WOMEN SHE CAN DO THE JOB SHE IS RUNNING FOR, AND WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS -- NOT ENOUGH.

I THOUGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE WOULD SAY WE DO WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS CALM AND COMPOSED IN THE OVAL OFFICE.

>> I WENT UP TO HER AND SHE GAVE US HUGS AND I SAID I HAVE TO TELL YOU I AM RUNNING FOR OFFICE NOW BECAUSE OF THIS.

SHE SAID GET OUT THERE AND KNOCK ON DOORS.

I WAS RUNNING AGAINST A THREE TERM INCUMBENT.

HE IS A VERY CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN.

>> SHE SAID I HATE WOMEN BECAUSE I DID NOT ATTEND THE DOG AND PONY SHOW BECAUSE IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN I WOULD DO IT THE SAME WAY, ABOUT THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT THING.

>> PEOPLE WERE LIKE THAT IS GREAT SOMEONE IS CHALLENGING HIM BUT NO WAY, IT IS A LONG SHOT.

YOU SHOULD DO IT, BUT YOU HAVE NO CHANCE.

HE IS OLDER, HE IS WEALTHY, HE HAD BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

I WAS 36 WHICH PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS VERY YOUNG.

I HAD TWO KIDS.

IT WAS A HUGE LONG SHOT.

WE WERE LIKE WE WILL RUN THIS GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN.

I STARTED KNOCKING ON DOORS.

SEVEN MONTHS OF KNOCKING ON DOORS EVERY DAY.

PEOPLE TOLD ME THIS IS GREENWICH .

YOU HAVE TO BE CONSERVATIVE.

YOU CANNOT TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

WE CAN PROTECT RHODE ISLAND WOMEN, WE CAN PASS THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT WHICH WOULD CODIFY ROE V. WADE.

YOU CANNOT TALK ABOUT GUNS.

YOU CANNOT TALK ABOUT THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT.

IT WILL TURN PEOPLE OFF.

I SAID NO, I WILL NOT RUN FOR OFFICE AND NOT TALK ABOUT THE THINGS I CARE ABOUT THAT I KNEW PEOPLE CARED ABOUT.

THEY DID.

I WAS THE FOURTH CLOSEST RACE IN RHODE ISLAND.

I ONE BY 169 VOTES.

IT WAS A WILD TIME TO BE A YOUNG WOMEN IN POLITICS.

IT WAS VERY UNPLEASANT.

A LOT OF THE NASTINESS IN MY RACE CAME OUT AS A RESULT OF ME BEING A YOUNG WOMEN.

>> EVERY TIME I RUN INTO HER IT IS LIKE -- I LOVE WOMEN, I LOVE MY WIFE.

REP. CALDWELL: PEOPLE TOOK REAL OFFENSE TO THAT, THAT I WOULD CHALLENGE SOMEONE WHO HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE.

RESTORING HONESTY TO RHODE ISLAND'’S GOVERNMENT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE.

I FELT LIKE I CAN SERVE JUST AS WELL AS ANYBODY ELSE.

IT CAN BE ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE AND THERE -- >> IT CAN BE ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE AND THERE IS DEFTLY A DOUBLE STANDARD FOR WOMEN.

I AM ONE OF NINE FEMALE GOVERNORS.

THERE SHOULD BE 25 OR 30 FEMALE GOVERNORS.

IF YOU LOOK AT RHODE ISLAND, IT IS ASTOUNDING WE HAVE NEVER HAD A FEMALE UNITED STATES SENATOR.

NEVER A FEMALE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN RHODE ISLAND.

WE'’VE ONLY HAD ONE EMAIL CONGRESSWOMAN, DECADES AGO.

I AM THE FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO.

I WILL GO SIT THERE AND SIGN THE BILL.

GUARANTEEING EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL FAMILIES IN RHODE ISLAND.

THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

IT IS LONG OVERDUE.

LONG OVERDUE.

>> WOMEN ARE GREAT LEADERS.

WE BRING A CERTAIN SENSE OF PRACTICAL ATTITUDE OF SOLVING PROBLEMS AND A BIT OF COMPASSION.

WE MISS OUT IF WOMEN ARE NOT AT THE TABLE.

HALF OF THE POPULATION, A HALF OF THE WORLD BRAINPOWER, MOTHERS, WORKING MOMS, THOSE ARE VOICES THAT HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE.

>> IT IS NOT ABOUT POWER, IT IS WHAT CAN I DO TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY?

HOW CAN I HELP US CITIZENS BECOME BETTER HUMAN BEINGS AND CAN I DO THAT WITH A POLITICAL VOICE AND WHAT CAN I ADD TO IT?

WOMEN HAVE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

>> I THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR ME.

I WANT TO KEEP STANDING UP FOR ALL OF YOU.

>> TO BRING ABOUT JUSTICE IN THIS SOCIETY.

STEP UP, PLEASE.

LEGEND ARLENE VIOLET, THE FIRST FEMALE IN THE UNITED STATES TO BE ELECTED AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WHOEVER MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR BACKGROUND, IF YOU COULD GIVE US A SUMMARY OF YOUR JOURNEY.

>> I WAS A NUN FOR 23 YEARS AND I DID A LOT OF INNER-CITY WORK AND I SAW MANY THINGS THAT SHOULD CHANGE WERE NOT CHANGING AT ALL.

IN PARTICULAR, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS UNFAIR.

AS A NUN, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD THING TO TRY TO CHANGE THOSE POLICIES.

IN RHODE ISLAND THE ONLY PERSON WHO COULD DO THAT WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

TONIGHT I AM ANNOUNCING I WILL BE YOUR CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I SAW IT AS ANOTHER WAY OF DOING A MINISTRY, MAINLY TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I DID NOT LOOK AT IT AS BEING "IN POLITICS."

I DID NOT CARE ABOUT BEING IN POLITICS AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO BE A CHANGE AGENT.

>> MY FIRST JOB IN GOVERNMENT WAS FOR ARLENE VIOLET WHO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN TO BE ELECTED TO ANY STATEWIDE OFFICE IN RHODE ISLAND.

SHE WAS A VERY CHARISMATIC AND DISRUPTIVE FIGURE.

SHE GOT EVERYBODY'’S ATTENTION.

ARLENE: THERE WERE NO RIGHTS IN RHODE ISLAND, WE WERE THE SEAT OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN NEW ENGLAND.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN TO CHANGE THE TRUTH.

EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A TENTATIVE VOICE BECAUSE YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT DOING IT, GO IN AND ROAR YOUR TRUTH.

>> IN ORDER FOR US TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR WOMEN WHO RUN, MORE HAVE TO DO IT.

>> THERE IS A CONSTANT BOMBARDMNT OF SEEING WOMEN IN TOP ROLES IN NEW ENGLAND.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS IT CONVINCES MORE WOMEN TO RUN WHEN THEY SEE OTHER WOMEN WHO ARE SUCCESSES.

>> DON'’T FORGET TO VOTE.

>> YOU WILL FACE SEXISM, DOUBLE STANDARDS, WOMEN SHOULD KNOW THAT.

BUT YOU CAN GET MORE DONE THAN I EVER REALIZED.

>> WHEN IT WAS UGLY AND I WOULD BE AT HOME THINKING MY FAMILY IS BEING DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD, WHAT MY DOING?

FOR A SEAT IN THE RHODE ISLAND HOUSE, IS THIS WORTH IT?

I WOULD CLOSE MY EYES AND THINK OF A MOMENT WHERE WE MIGHT ACTUALLY VOTE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT AND HOW MY VOTE WOULD BE SO DIFFERENT THAN MY OPPONENTS.

THAT IS WHAT WOULD KEEP ME GOING.

NOW I THINK IT IS WORTH IT BECAUSE EVERY TIME I STEPPED TO THE CHAMBER AND PUSH MY GREEN BUTTON TO SAY I AM THERE, I AM LIKE I WILL DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TODAY.

IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THE IDEALS THAT I HAVE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> WE'’VE BEEN FOLLOWING PRIMARY NIGHT ELECTION RESULTS.

I'’VE BEEN IN THE STUDIO ROOM FOR SOMETHING LIKE EIGHT HOURS.

WE FINALLY HAVE SOME RESULTS.

>> WHAT ARE THEY?

>> IN THE GOVERNORS RACE -- >> SIGNS, HAPPY TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I AM RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN VERMONT.

TODAY WE ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THE PERSONAL OFTEN BECOMES POLITICAL.

WHEN YOU STEP INTO ANY SORT OF ROLE IN THE PROFESSIONAL SPHERE, WOMEN HAVE TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN BEING ASSERTIVE AND BALD.

I AM RUNNING AS A FIRST-TIME CANDIDATE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF VERMONT FAMILIES AND WORKERS.

THEIR EXPECTATIONS ON WOMEN.

-- THERE ARE EXPECTATIONS ON WOMEN.

IF YOU ARE TO ASSERTIVE YOU GET CALLED THE B-WORD.

IF YOUR SWEET, PEOPLE DO NOT TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY.

MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE HAS BEEN ABOUT NAVIGATING THIS TREACHEROUS TERRAIN TO GET THE RIGHT BALANCE.

I WAS BORN IN INDIA.

I LEFT WHEN I WAS SEVEN MONTHS.

I AM A PROUD AMERICAN CITIZEN OF INDIAN IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND.

IF YOU DO NOT FIT THE PARTICULAR MOLD OF WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE FACE NEXT TO A BODY, YOU WILL DEFINITELY GET DISPARAGED.

IN MY CASE, I LOOK YOUNG.

I AM IN MY MID-30'’S.

THE FIRST QUESTION I ALWAYS HAVE IS HOW OLD ARE YOU?

THESE KIND OF THINGS WHERE YOU ARE DISMISSED.

THE CONTENT OF YOUR WORDS DO NOT MATTER.

>> VERY FEW ADDRESS POLICY WITH NEUTRAL OBJECTIVITY.

>> YOU NEED TENACITY.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE THING.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THAT, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

EVERYONE WILL THROW EVERYTHING AT YOU.

I HAVE KNOWN PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT HOW DARE YOU, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, TRYING TO JUMP FROM INDIA TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SEAT, HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?

WE HAVE A PECKING ORDER SECURITY YOU HAVE TO KISS THE POLITICAL RINGS AND GO UP.

YOU NEED COURAGE.

PUBLIC SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOMETHING CLOSE TO MY HEART AND SO I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO STEP INTO THE ARENA AND GIVE VOICE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE IT AND ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

>> THIS IS BRAVE LITTLE STATE.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE HAVE NEVER SENT A WOMAN TO CONGRESS IN VERMONT AND I LISTED OFF SOME WOMEN I KNOW WHO ARE PRETTY HEAVY HITTERS IN VERMONT POLITICS LIKE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> THERE ARE 49 STATES THAT HAVE SENT A WOMEN TO WASHINGTON.

FOR MONT IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

WE ARE THE LAST ONE.

-- VERMONT IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

>> IT IS AN EMBARRASSING QUESTION.

VERMONT LOVES ITS INCUMBENTS.

ONCE PEOPLE GET ELECTED, THEY STAY THERE.

>> FOR WOMEN WHEN ASKED ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE, THEY HAVE TO BE ASKED SIX OR SEVEN TIMES BEFORE THEY SAY YES, WHEREAS MEN COULD WAKE UP AND SAY I THINK I SHOULD RUN.

>> WOMEN ARE THE FIRST TO SAY I HAVE TO FINISH MY MBA, MAKE SURE MY FAMILY IS SETTLED.

I SAY TO THAT, BALONEY.

WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THAT.

THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO HELL IN A CLUTCH PURSE.

LET'’S GET GOING NOW.

FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET YOU ON THE BALLOT TODAY.

>> IT IS NOT IMPORTANT HAVE WOMEN IN POLITICS, IT IS ESSENTIAL.

WHEN WOMEN ARE ELECTED, GOVERNMENT DOES THINGS IT DOES NOT DO OTHERWISE.

GOVERNMENT PAYS ATTENTION TO HEALTH CARE.

WE FOCUS ON FAMILIES COME ON THE THINGS THAT MATTER O FAMILIES.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ONLINE COMMUNIY FIRST, YOU HAVE TO HAVE FEMALE ADDRESSES AND FACEBOOK FANS AND TWITTER FOLLOWERS.

THAT IS WHY I SAY YOU HAVE TO BUILD YOUR ARMY NOW.

I HAVE TRAINED OVER 9000 DEMOCRATIC PRO-CHOICE WOMEN TO SERVE IN STATE AND LOCAL OFFICE.

THE FIRST THING I DO IS SCAN THE NEWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO ARE SICK OR DEAD.

THAT IS BECAUSE I WANT TO REPLACE THEM WITH THE WOMEN I HAVE HELPED TRAIN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT IS TIME FOR THE FACE OF THIS NATION TO BE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT.

WE WERE UNDERREPRESENTED FOR SO LONG BECAUSE IT DID NOT EVER OCCUR TO PEOPLE THAT WOMEN COULD DO IT AS WELL OR BETTER THAN MEN.

>> IT NEVER WOULD'’VE OCCURRED TO ME TO RUN FOR SPEAKER IN MY FOURTH TERM.

THE CONDITIONING I GOT WAS YOU HAD TO WAIT IN LINE, YOU HAD TO BE ASKED, YOU HAD TO DO YOUR BEST AND HOPE SOMEBODY NOTICED YOU AND GAVE YOU SOMETHING YOU DESERVED.

NOT THAT YOU WENT OUT AND GOT IT.

I CAME IN AS A FRESHMAN MEMBER OF A MINORITY PARTY.

A BUNCH OF THE SEXISM AND GENDER DYNAMICS ARE ABOUT POWER.

MY POSITION OF POWER HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN 18 YEARS.

WHEN I CAME IN, I WAS THE YOUNGEST WOMAN IN THE CHAMBER BY 10 YEARS.

I WAS PROPOSITIONED BY MARRIED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

I WAS PHYSICALLY TOUCHED IN WAYS MADE TO LOOK LIKE AN ACCIDENT.

I WAS CALLED A GOOD LITTLE GIRL A NUMBER OF TIMES BY MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAD TWO OR THREE YEARS ON ME.

THE CLIMATE HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED AS WE INSTITUTED SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION POLICIES.

I REMEMBER THE MINORITY LEADER, WHO WAS NOT KNOWN FOR HIS BROAD SUPPORT OF WOMEN'’S RIGHTS, CAME INTO MY OFFICE AND SAID IF THERE'’S ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP IN THIS BUILDING, COUNT ME IN.

MY JAW HIT THE FLOOR AND I SAID I WOULD LOVE YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THIS.

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

HE SAID I HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS AND ALL OF THEM POSTED #METOO ON FACEBOOK AND I'’M AFRAID TO ASK.

>> ONE OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS WOMEN FACE IS THE NEED TO BE MORE QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

WHEN I HEAR SOMEONE SAYING YOU CANNOT RUN FOR THIS OFFICE BECAUSE YOU'’VE NOT DONE X, Y, A ND Z, I THINK THAT HAPPENS TO WOMEN WAY MORE THAN IT HAPPENS TO MEN.

>> LET'’S THINK ABOUT THE LAST THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE THINGS THEY HAD THAT WERE BARRIERS.

BILL CLINTON, IN INTERN AND A CIGAR, WE REELECTED HIM.

GEORGE BUSH'’S WIFE KILLED A GUY WITH HER CAR.

DONALD TRUMP HAS MORE BARRIERS THAN YOU CAN COUNT.

YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED?

YOU THINK YOU CANNOT DO A JOB?

GO HOME AND TURN ON C-SPAN AND LOOK WHO IS RUNNING YOUR COUNTRY.

YOU'’RE ALREADY QUALIFIED.

>> AT THIS POINT, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE WOMEN RUN ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

I THINK YOU HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE IN ENOUGH POSITIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT THERE IS A SOLID BENCH OF STRONG FEMALE POLITICIANS NEED TO MOVE INTO CONGRESS AND THE SENATE.

RIGHT NOW, AS VICE PRESIDENT.

I THINK THAT IS UNDERWAY AND I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANYTHING TO FEAR ABOUT THAT CHANGING.

THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND IT IS A GOOD THING.

>> I AM RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BECAUSE I WANT -- I THINK WOMEN FACE MANY BARRIERS RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

WHY WOMEN NEED TO BE RUNNING IN POLITICS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN EMERGE VERMONT.

EMERGE VERMONT TRAINS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

IT WAS BORN OUT OF THE CONVERSATION AROUND GOVERNOR MATALIN CANYONS TABLE, AND SHE SAID I WAS PROUD TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS VERMONT'’S GOVERNOR, AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE THE LAST.

>> WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN ANOTHER WOMAN GOVERNOR SINCE YOU IN VERMONT?

>> I DO NOT HAVE A GOOD ANSWER.

I AM CONFIDENT THERE WILL BE A WOMAN GOVERNOR IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY WOMEN WHO ARE QUALIFIED IN VERMONT.

>> WHENEVER THERE IS CRISIS, WOMEN STEP UP.

>> WOMEN ARE STILL FRESH TO NECESSARILY ACCEPT THE STATUS QUO.

THEY ASKED MORE QUESTIONS, NOT JUST A POWER GAME.

I AM IN POLITICS TO DO SOMETHING, TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING.

>> LET'’S MATE UNIVERSAL PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTH CARE A REALITY -- LET'’S MAKE UNIVERSAL PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTH CARE A REALITY.

>> WOMEN BRING A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN MEN DO.

LESS DUMB MUNCHIES MOW.

-- LESS DUMB MACHISMO.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS IF YOU'’RE NOT AT THE TABLE YOU'’RE ON THE MENU.

>> I AM RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF VERMONT TREASURER.

>> OTHER PEOPLE WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

IT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT YOU WANT.

ALL OF THESE MEN ARE DECIDING OUR FATE, SO WE HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE WHEN THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.

>> LET'’S ELECT WOMEN AND GET OUT THE VOTE.

>> WE HAVE OVER 130 ALUMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

OUR ALUMS HAVE AN 83% MEAN RATE IN ELECTIONS.

I AM CONFIDENT WE WILL BEAT THAT THIS YEAR.

>> DEMOCRAT MOLLY GRAY HAS NEVER RUN FOR OFFICE BEFORE.

IN THE PAST MONTHS SHE HAS GARNERED SUPPORT FROM TOP DEMOCRATS.

>> IT IS UNUSUAL FOR WOMEN TO LEAP TO A STATEWIDE OFFICE BEFORE SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT MEN DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

SHE HAS THE CRITICISM BECAUSE SHE DID IT.

I THINK SHE PROVED HER QUALIFICATIONS.

>> I CANNOT BE MORE PROUD TO BE IN EMERGE VERMONT ALUM AND A CLASS OF 2020, BUT I HAVE TO SAY, BEING A WOMAN AND RUNNING, IT IS DIFFERENT.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF IMPLICIT BIAS WOMEN STILL FACE WHEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> DOING A DAY OF VOLUNTEERING, GOING AROUND TO HOUSES TO DELIVER MEALS DURING COVID, AND THE TV STATION COMES ALONG.

I REMEMBER THAT NIGHT I WENT TO WATCH THE COVERAGE ABOUT AGE WELL.

THE COVERAGE WAS MY SHOES WALKING AROUND DELIVERING MEALS.

THERE'’S SOMETHING ABOUT MY SHOES THAT SEEM TO BE MORE INTERESTING THAN THE ACTUAL TOPICS.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO IN THIS STATE TO ENSURE WE HAVE TRULY UNBIASED COVERAGE.

>> WE ARE STILL FOCUSED ON WHAT IS SHE WEARING, WHAT DOES HER HAIR LOOK LIKE, HOW THICK ARE THOSE GLASSES?

>> IT IS EASY FOR WOMEN TO BECOME LIKABLE OR UNLIKABLE AT THE DROP OF A HAT.

PEOPLE SEEING THIS ON TV WILL SAY TO YOU, TO OTHER PEOPLE, LOOK AT HER HAIR.

IT LOOKS LIKE SHE IS NOT GOING TO A SEVEN MONTHS.

THAT IS TRUE.

I HAVEN'’T.

I WANT TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ABOUT WHERE WE ARE EIGHT MONTHS INTO OUR FIGHT AGAINST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

I AM SORRY, THERE'’S A PANDEMIC GOING ON.

WE ARE NOT ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR HAIR AND MAKEUP TODAY AS WE MIGHT OTHERWISE BE.

PEOPLE DO JUDGE WOMEN ON THE BASIS OF THINGS LIKE THAT WHEN THEY DO NOT JUDGE MEN ON THAT BASIS.

>> IT IS SLOWLY CHANGING TO WHAT IS THAT WOMAN'’S POSITION ON GUN CONTROL?

WHERE DID SHE STAND ON HEALTH CARE.

IT IS CHANGING.

JUST NOT FAST ENOUGH.

>> MY FIRST OPPONENT CALLED ME NICE, SHE IS TOO NICE, SHE WILL NOT GET ANYTHING DONE.

>> A MORE COOPERATIVE BIPARTISAN FEEL TO THE SENATE.

I WAS THE SENATE PRESIDENT DURING THE FIRST FEEL MY MAJORITY OF ANY -- DURING THE FIRST FEEL MALE -- FEMALE MAJORITY OF ANYBODY IN THE COUNTRY.

>> I WAS THE PRESIDENT WHEN WE WERE THE FIRST MAJORITY FEMALE LEGISLATIVE BODY, STATE LEGISLATIVE BODY IN THE COUNTRY.

IT WAS QUITE AN HONOR.

>> I LOOK BACK.

WE TALKED THROUGH EVERYTHING.

INSTEAD OF RUNNING IN AND BEING EVERYONE HERE IS HOW YOU WILL VOTE, HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, YOU HAVE TO GET IN LINE, WE HAVE HOURS OF GETTING CONSENSUS.

IT MADE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN HAVING THOSE WOMEN AT THE TABLE.

WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER, WE ARGUE WITH EACH OTHER, BUT IN THE END WE CAME TOGETHER ON IMPORTANT LAWS.

WE PASSED MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

WE WERE THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO PASS THAT BASED NOT ON COURT ORDER FROM THE COURT'’S TELLING US WE HAD TO BUT EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW.

THAT WAS A HARD-FOUGHT CAUCUS WHEN WE GOT THROUGH.

>> THAT WAS A DEBATE AND A DAY I WILL REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR THOUSANDS OF GRANITE STATORS, IT MEANT THEY COULD MARRY THE PERSON THEY LOVE.

I LIKE TO THINK THE MAJORITY FEMALE SENATE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

>> DID YOU THINK THAT MARRIAGE EQUALITY WOULD'’VE PASSED IF THERE WAS NOT A FEMALE MAJORITY?

>> I DO NOT THINK IT WOULD'’VE PASSED.

I THINK THERE WOULD'’VE BEEN FEAR OF LOSING THE MAJORITY AND LOSING THEIR OFFICE AND LOSING STATUS.

I HAD MORE PEOPLE COME UP, OLD GUYS IN SUSPENDERS WITH THEIR FARM CLOSE ON -- THEIR FARM CLOTHES ON SAYING I'’M GLAD YOU DID THAT BECAUSE MY SUN HAS BEEN -- MY SON HAS BEEN SUFFERING.

LITTLE THINGS TO MAKE SOMEONE'’S LIFE BETTER.

>> WE BELIEVE WE CAN TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES THIS COUNTRY FACES.

>> IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I MADE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER.

>> SOMEBODY SAID TO ME I JUST KEEP THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH BRAIN CAPACITY AND BANDWIDTH WOULD BE FREED UP IF THE WOMEN THAT WORK IN THIS BUILDING DID NOT HAVE TO WALK AROUND POSITIONING THEMSELVES AND PLAYING DEFENSE ALL OF THE TIME.

IF ALL OF THAT ENERGY WAS TAKEN UP WITH POLICY AND HOW TO BUILD A STRONGER, HEALTHIER VERMONT, JUST THAT WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO SOCIETY.

>> HOUSE THAT IS IT THAT WOMEN HAVE HAD THE VOTE FOR 100 YEARS AND WE ARE ALL THE WAY UP TO 16% WOMEN SPEAKERS?

ENTITIES WHOSE JOB IT IS TO CREATE THE RULES SOCIETY LIVES BY AND ALL OF SOCIETY IS NOT REPRESENTED AT THAT TABLE.

THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> I WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN MAINE FOR EIGHT YEARS.

I WAS ON THE NATIONAL BOARD OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ASSOCIATION.

I WOULD BE THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM.

I WOULD BE ASKED TO MAKE THE COFFEE.

I THREW MY HAT IN THE RAIN.

I SAID WHY NOT ME.

I TOOK A GAMBLE AT I.S.

SEVEN WAY PRIMARY, WHICH I -- I HAD A SEVEN WAY PRIMARY, WHICH I WON, AND A GENERAL, WHICH I WON.

PEOPLE WOULD ASK ME ARE YOU RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR TO BECOME THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR OF MAINE?

I ALWAYS SAID, NO, I'’M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE I BELIEVE I'’M THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE JOB.

THAT IS THE TRUTH.

I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I WAS RUNNING A SEVEN WAY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR, I GOT TOLD BY SOME WOMEN AND A LOT OF MEN YOU'’VE BEEN AROUND A WHILE, WE NEED SOMEBODY NEW.

I WOULD GO, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TELLING WOMEN LIKE ME FOR YEARS AND DECADES JUST A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE AND THAT YOU WILL BE QUALIFIED, MORE BACKGROUND, MORE EXPERTISE YOU WILL BE QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR XYZ.

I HAD THE EXPERIENCE AND THAT I GOT CRITICIZED FOR HAVING PERIODS.

THERE IS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD.

>> IS THIS THE PLEASURE OF THE SENATE VOTE?

>> ONE OF THE FACTORS IN ALLOWING MORE WOMEN TO RUN HIS WAY OF PUBLIC FUNDING, WE HAVE A CLEAN ELECTIONS PROGRAM.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SCOUR AROUND AND ASK A BUNCH OF CORPORATE INTERESTS AND LOBBYISTS FOR MONEY TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

YOU CAN ACHIEVE PUBLIC FUNDING.

>> THE CLEAN ELECTION SYSTEM WAS THE FIRT OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION AND IT IS STILL GOING STRONG AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS.

CLEAN ELECTIONS PUTS PEOPLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND MAKES DEMOCRACY WORK.

>> THAT HAS HELPED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO RUN, A LOT OF WOMEN IN PARTICULAR.

BOTH OF MY GRANDMOTHERS GOT TO POST -- GOT TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1920.

I HOPE THEY WOULD BE PROUD THAT 100 YEARS LATER THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER IS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MAINE.

>> IN VERMONT, WE HAVE ONE CONGRESSPERSON.

WE HAVE AN ENORMOUS LEGISLATURE AND BASICALLY EVERYTHING AFTER THE LEGISLATURE IS A STATEWIDE RACE.

BECAUSE WOMEN ARE NOT EQUALLY REPRESENTED IN THE MAYOR'’S OFFICE, IN HEADS OF BUSINESS, IN PLACES THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE FEEDERS FOR A LEGISLATIVE BODY BECAUSE WOMEN ARE UNDERREPRESENTED, THEY ARE THEN UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE THING THAT LEADS NEXT, THAT REQUIRES MORE NAME RECOGNITION AND MORE MONEY.

FUNDRAISING IS HARDER.

WOMEN DO NOT START FROM A POSITION OF EQUAL ADVANTAGE.

IN VERMONT, HOWEVER, WE HAVE VERY SMALL DISTRICTS AND YOU CAN WIN A HOUSE RACE WITH SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 2500 AND $10,000.

THAT IS DOABLE.

THIS IS A VERY, OPEN, ACCESSIBLE BUILDING WHEN WE ARE NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

WE CAN WALK AROUND THE HALLS OF THIS BUILDING AND THERE ARE FOUR PICTURES OF WOMEN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PICTURES IN THIS BUILDING.

WHEN THE KIDS COME THROUGH IN THEIR CLASSES AND THESE LITTLE KIDS LOOK AROUND AT THE PICTURES OF THE PEOPLE, IT IS ONLY THE BOYS IN THE CLASS THAT SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED.

I HAVE A PAPERWEIGHT ON MY DESK THAT SAYS GIRL BOSS.

FRIENDS OF MINE STOPPED BY AND THE YOUNGEST GIRL WAS READING IT AND SHE LOOKED AND SHE SAID ARE YOU A GIRL BOSS?

I SAID YES, I AM.

THAT IS SO COOL.

SHE COULD SEE HERSELF.

THAT IS CRITICAL TO MAKING SURE GIRLS SEE WOMEN IN PLACES OF POWER AND KNOW THAT IS AN OPTION FOR THEM.

>> I AM SO EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONNECTICUT KID GOVERNOR PROGRAM.

EVERY YEAR FIFTH-GRADERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO GOVERNOR CANDIDATES WHO RUN A PARTICULAR ISSUE PLATFORM.

>> I WANT TO HELP KIDS THAT DO NOT HAVE ANY BOOKS.

>> I AM FOCUSING ON CONNECTICUT HOME SCHOOLS, PARTICULAR WITH CHILDREN.

>> TO HELP PEOPLE WITHOUT -- WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> KIDS AROUND THE STATE WILL CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR FIVE YEARS.

EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, A FIFTH GRADE GIRL HAS BEEN SELECTED.

THE REASON THIS IS SO FITTING FOR THIS YEAR IS OUR STATE IS GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'’S SUFFRAGE IN CONNECTICUT.

THIS PROGRAM HAS SHOWN TO PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT YOU'’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

>> I SAW THE GOVERNOR AS A PERFECT CHANCE TO SHOW EVERYBODY HOW GIRLS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

[APPLAUSE] >> WHEN I SEE THE LAST FIVE CONNECTICUT KID GOVERNOR'’S, I KNOW THE FUTURE IS FEMALE AND I AM VERY ENCOURAGED ABOUT OUR FUTURE.

ALICE PAUL, WHO LIVED IN RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT, AND WAS A FIGHTER FOR WOMEN'’S SUFFRAGE SAID THERE IS NOTHING MORE COMPLICATED THAN ORDINARY EQUALITY.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE ARE 50%, 51% OF THE POPULATION.

HALF OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR ELECTED GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE WOMEN.

THEY ARE NOT.

WHY ARE THERE MORE WOMEN?

IT IS COMPLICATED AND WE HAVE TO BE ADDRESSING THIS.

OUR LEGISLATURE IS ABOUT 25% WOMEN, AND YOU WOULD THINK AFTER 100 YEARS WE WOULD BE CLOSER TO 50%.

>> PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE."

THE AYES HAVE IT.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF SCULPTURES OF WHITE MEN ON THE FACE OF THE STATE CAPITAL WHO WERE GOVERNORS OF CONNECTICUT IN THE 1600S AND 1700S.

THERE'’S ONLY ONE STATUE OF A WOMAN ON THE FACE OF OUR STATE CAPITAL.

THAT IS ELLA GRASSO.

ELLA GRASSO PUT CONNECTICUT ON THE MAP.

SHE MADE INTERNATIONAL NEWS IN 1974 BECAUSE SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR ELECTED IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THERE HAD BEEN TWO OTHER WOMEN WHO WERE GOVERNORS, BUT THEY FOLLOWED THEIR HUSBANDS INTO OFFICE.

ELLA GRASSO WAS SPECIAL BECAUSE SHE DID IT ON HER OWN.

IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL IN THE EARLY 1970'’S TO HAVE ANY WOMEN IN ELECTIVE OFFICE.

SHE WAS SOMEONE WHO COULD BE EXTREMELY COMPASSIONATE AND COULD RELATE WELL TO PEOPLE, BUT SHE COULD ALSO BE EXTREMELY TOUGH.

SHE COULD CUSS LIKE A TRUCK DRIVER.

SHE WAS ALWAYS BEING ASKED BY THE NATIONAL MEDIA IF SHE WOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

SHE WOULD SAY -- >> I DO NOT ASPIRE TO BE PRESIDENT, BUT I AM SURE A WOMAN WILL BE PRESIDENT.

WHEN, I DON'’T KNOW.

I DO NOT THINK THE WOODS ARE FULL OF CANDIDATES.

SHE ALSO PREDICTED THAT MORE WOMEN WOULD BE ELECTED ONCE THEY STARTED RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, TODAY THE WOODS ARE FULL OF CANDIDATES.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE MANY WOMEN SERVING IN STATEWIDE OFFICE IS BECAUSE WE STAND ON ELLA GRASSO'’S SHOULDERS.

IN 1920, WHICH WAS THE FIRST ELECTION WOMEN COULD VOTE IN, 8 MILLION WOMEN CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

THIS YEAR, 68 MILLION WOMEN WILL BE VOTING IN OUR NATIONAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3.

EVER SINCE 1980, IT HAS BEEN WOMEN THAT HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

I HOPE WOMEN ARE PAYING ATTENTION BECAUSE OUR DEMOCRACY IS ON THE BALLOT.

>> WE ARE 10 DAYS OUT FROM pELECTION DAY.

IT IS GOING WELL.

WE HAVE GREAT RESPONSES AT THE DOORS.

REP. CALDWELL: I AM YOUR STATE REP. NICE TO MEET YOU.

I CAN LEAVE THIS ON YOUR DOOR IF YOU WANT.

I AM YOUR STATE REP.

I AM JUSTINE CALDWELL, I'’M YOUR STATE REP, HOW'’S IT GOING?

YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT.

>> I AM NOT A DEMOCRAT.

REP. CALDWELL: THAT IS WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS.

I HAVE SO MUCH PAUSE -- OUR CAMPAIGN HAS HAD SO MUCH ENERGY AND WE FEELING REALLY GOOD.

IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, CALL ME.

I KNOCK ON EVERY DOOR REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION.

YOU'’RE GETTING STUFF OR AMINO MATTER WHAT.

NO MATTER WHAT PARTY YOU ARE.

>> I GO BOTH WAYS SOMETIMES.

THAT IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE DO.

REP. CALDWELL: I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU AGAIN.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

WE HAVE CANVASSED OVER HALF THE DISTRICT.

>> ARE THERE ANY -- ARE THERE ANY BIG ISSUES ON YOUR MIND?

>> THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE IS TAXES.

REP. CALDWELL: HERE IN EAST GREENWICH?

I DID WORK WITH OUR TOWN COUNCIL TO STABILIZE OUR PROPERTY TAX RATE.

WE PASSED A BILL SO THEY DID NOT HAVE TO RAISE IT MORE THAN 1%.

SO MANY PEOPLE IN EAST GREENWICH HAVE ALREADY VOTED, WHICH IS EXCITING.

I FEEL POSITIVE.

DEFINITEY WORRIED.

I'’VE A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF STRESS ABOUT IT.

THE LAST TIME AROUND I WAS NOT THE INCUMBENT AND IT WAS SUCH A LONG SHOT FROM THE BEGINNING.

THIS TIME IT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT FEELING.

>> DO YOU WANT TO WIN AS MUCH?

REP. CALDWELL: MORE.

FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME.

YOU ARE A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT.

[LAUGHTER] >> I GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO RHODE ISLAND BECAUSE IT IS A SMALL COMMUNITY.

YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE THAT INSPIRE YOU.

I THINK IN THIS COVID PANDEMIC WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEING, SHE HAS STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND LET THE STATE IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY AND HAS CHANGED THE WAY WOMEN AND MEN SEE LEADERSHIP.

THEY SEE A LEADER WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN DO A REALLY GOOD JOB, AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE.

WE ARE AT A RECORD MOMENT IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF WOMEN ELECTED IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT YOU FIND IS THE KINDS OF BILLS THAT ARE BEING INTRODUCED ARE BEING VOTED ON, THEY ARE BEING SIGNED INTO LAW.

THINGS LIKE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES, GUN SAFETY MEASURES, EVEN IMPROVING ELECTIONS.

OUR INVOLVEMENT IN AREAS IN WHICH WOMEN HAVE BEEN LEADING THE WAY IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> RHODE ISLAND SECRETARY OF STATE, IT IS GOOD TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

>> I WAS PROUD OF MY STATE WHEN I WAS ELECTED AND IT TURNED OUT I WAS THE FIRST HISPANIC ELECTED AT A STATEWIDE OFFICE IN NEW ENGLAND.

I THINK IT SHOWS THE KIND OF COMMUNITY RHODE ISLAND IS.

>> I AM RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

WHEN I RAN I KNEW I WOULD BE THE FIRST HISPANIC ELECTED AT A STATEWIDE LEVEL.

IT WAS WHEN I WENT TO THE SCHOOLS COME IN PARTICULARLY SCHOOLS WHERE THERE ARE MINORITY MAJORITY KIDS AND I WOULD SPEAK ABOUT MY OWN BACKGROUND OR SAY A FEW WORDS IN SPANISH AND SEE KIDS FACES LIGHT UP THAT IT REALLY HIT ME HOW BIG A DEAL IT WAS.

>> IT IS NOW TIME FOR A SPECIAL VIRTUAL CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH.

TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE THE WOMEN WHO LED THE STRUGGLE FOR SUFFRAGE BY WELCOMING 19 PUBLIC SERVANTS FROM THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND.

HOW HONORED WE ARE TO HAVE THEM JOINING US VIRTUALLY TONIGHT.

>> ON THE ONE HAND, YES WE SHOULD CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF WHITE WOMEN HAVING THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

IT TOOK AN ADDITIONAL 50 YEARS FOR WOMEN OF COLOR TO GET THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> I DECIDED TO RUN FOR OFFICE BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE A VOICE OF MY COMMUNITY.

THE COMMITTEE HAS RAISED ME.

I AM A DAUGHTER OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MY FATHER SPENT 90% OF MY LIFE IN JAIL.

MY MOTHER HAS SUFFERED FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS.

IT WAS THIS COMMUNITY THAT TOOK ME IN AT A TIME THEY COULD'’VE THROWN ME OUT.

THEY DECIDED I WAS WORTH MORE.

IT IS SOMETHING I FEEL LIKE I OWE TO THIS COMMUNITY.

I HAD MY FIRST CHILD AT 19 YEARS OLD.

FOR SOCIETY IT IS YOU'’RE GOING TO BE ON WELFARE, YOU'’RE NOT GOING TO ACHIEVE A LOT.

TO HAVE WOMEN WHO SHOWED ME THAT WAS NOT THE ANSWER, THAT I WAS MORE THAN BEING A TEENAGE MOM.

I USED TO BE AFRAID TO TELL PEOPLE I WAS A TEENAGE MOM BECAUSE I KNOW IT CAME WITH SO MANY STEREOTYPES BEHIND IT AND IDEAS OF WHO I WAS, IF I WAS GOING TO BE LAZY.

IT WAS NEVER THE CASE.

I WENT TO SCHOOL FULL-TIME AND WORKED FULL-TIME DURING THE DAY.

I HAD GREAT WOMEN WHO TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE BETTER.

GIVING BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

>> STEPHANIE HAS BEEN EATING, SLEEPING, BREATHING, DREAMING THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF THE DISTRICT.

>> BACK IN APRIL WHEN I JUMPED INTO THE RACE, WE WERE BETTER TOGETHER.

IT WAS FOCUSED ON CORONAVIRUS AND HOW PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

NO ONE EXPECTED TO EVER BE QUARANTINED IN THEIR HOMES.

I MYSELF, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A BLENDED FAMILY OF NINE CHILDREN.

FOUR OF THE NINE WERE HOME WHEN SCHOOLS WERE CALLED OUT.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE WOMEN LEAVING THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE OF COVID-19 AND THE CARETAKER ISSUES GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE ALL STRUGGLING.

RIGHT NOW WE'’RE JUST PULLING TOGETHER AS A VILLAGE AND TRYING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IT HAS BEEN DIFFERENT.

WE ARE CREATIVE ON HOW WE COMMUNICATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

YOU COULD BE BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IS A LOT OF STEREOTYPES I FACE.

BEFORE I ENTER THE ROOM THERE IS THE ASSUMPTION I WILL BE AGGRESSIVE, I MAY BE ANGRY.

I WILL BE DISAGREEABLE ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS, WHICH ARE NOT TRUE.

WOMEN IN GENERAL, IF WE DO NOT GO ALONG WE ARE CALLED NAMES WE SHOULD NEVER BE CALLED, INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT IT AS STRENGTH, HAVING AN OPINION, BEING BOLD, BEING POWERFUL.

THOSE ARE THE WAYS WE SHOULD START DESCRIBING WOMEN WHO STEP OUT AND DECIDE THEY WANT TO SEEK OFFICE AND REPRESENT ANY COMMUNITY.

WE SHOULD NOT LOOK AT THEM AS A NEGATIVE, WE SHOULD LOOK AT THEM AS AN INSPIRATION OF WHAT WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO LOOK AT.

>> HER STRENGTH, HERTZ DRIVE AS A MOTHER OF SEVERAL KIDS OF THE BIG BLENDED FAMILY WILL AND HAS PREPARED HER FOR A POLITICAL OFFICE BECAUSE SHE KNOWS HOW TO DEAL WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS GOING ON AT ONCE.

>> WE DO HAVE A NATURAL TENDENCY TO JUST BE A PROVIDER AND A CARETAKER.

WHEN WE GO TO ANY LEGISLATIVE OFFICE, THE GOAL IS TO GET THIS POLICY PASSED.

YOU SEE THAT WHEN WOMEN TAKE THESE POSITIONS, ISSUES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RAISED BEFORE BECOME NATIONAL ISSUES.

THEY BECOME MOVEMENTS OTHER WOMEN LATCH ON TO JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE SO INSPIRED BY SOME OF THOSE.

I THINK THE NUMBERS ARE LOW FOR WOMEN OF COLOR SEEKING OFFICE BECAUSE TRADITIONALLY WE ARE STILL NEW TO THIS.

IN BLACK COMMUNITIES, WE ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE FAMILY.

WE HAVE TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR SPOUSES, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS.

WE TAKE THAT JOB VERY SERIOUSLY.

TO BE THE PERSON WHO MOVES THE FAMILY CLOSER TO THEIR GOALS AND OFTEN TIMES WE ARE DEALING WITH OTHER BIGGER THINGS IN OUR FAMILIES.

BECAUSE OF THAT WE ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT THIS AS BEING A NATURAL STEP.

>> I ENTERED THIS RACE VERY UNSURE WHAT WAS GOING ON GIVEN WE WERE IN COVID.

WE CAME WITH THE MOTTO OF BEING BETTER TOGETHER.

BEING ABLE TO VOTE GETS US CLOSER.

BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE OUR VOICE IS HEARD.

>> LET'’S DO THIS.

>> WE NEED MORE OF OUR VOICES AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET THERE IS TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT YOU ARE, HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE AND HOW MUCH YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED.

WE WANT OUR DAUGHTERS TO KNOW WE DO HAVE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND WE NEED TO STEP INTO THE POWER OF THEM.

DON'’T FORGET TO VOTE.

>> SOPHIA'’S NEIGHBORHOOD IS KNOWN AS THE HEIGHTS.

IT IS A MIX OF OLDER PEOPLE, YOUNG WORKING FAMILIES, NEW IMMIGRANTS AND LONGTIME RESIDENTS.

SHE IS KNOCKING ON DOORS AND LEAVING BEHIND FLYERS SAYING SHE WILL HELP BRING A NEW GENERATION TO THE STATEHOUSE.

SHE IS 27 AND A MOTHER TO TWO DAUGHTERS AND PREGNANT WITH HER THIRD.

SHE IS A RELATIVELY NEW U.S. CITIZEN.

SHE MOVED TO THE STATES AT 16 AFTER 10 YEARS IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN UZBEKISTAN.

AFTER SHE AND HER FAMILY ESCAPE FROM THE TALIBAN AND SHE WAS JUST SIX.

>> WHEN I GOT CITIZENSHIP IN 2013, AND IMMEDIATELY WHEN I HOLD THAT CERTIFICATE THAT I WAS A U.S. CITIZEN, SOMETHING CLICKED IN MY HEAD.

I NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS.

WHEN HILLARY CLINTON RAN IN 2016 I KNEW THAT A WOMAN COULD STEP IN AND MAKE CHANGES AND COULD MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE.

WHEN I RAN FOR THE FIRST TIME MYSELF IN 2018 I SAW 70 DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES FOR MYSELF.

NOT KNOWING ENGLISH MADE IT DIFFICULT.

I REMEMBER MYSELF BEING IN A CLASSROOM OF 16 OR 17 PEOPLE WITH A TEACHER SPEAKING, AND I AM LIKE I HAVE ZERO CLUE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING BECAUSE IT GIVES ME A HEADACHE.

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND.

I DO NOT EVEN KNOW HOW TO SAY HI TO PEOPLE.

A FRIEND OF MINE GOT ME A FARSI TO ENGLISH DICTIONARY IN 2018 SEPTEMBER, AND I WAS A WHOLE NEW PERSON.

MY VOCABULARY WAS INCREASED AND I WAS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE.

I ONLY HAD ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS WHERE I HAD TO GET MY NAME OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

I DID FACE CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULT MOMENTS.

I WAS PREGNANT AND MY OPPONENTS DID USE ME BEING FEMALE, MOTHER, AND PREGNANT, SAYING I AM A M OM, HAPPEN I BE RAISING MY OWN KID AND BE BEING PART OF POLITICS.

>> YOU THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO IT ALL?

>> I DO NOT KNOW WHAT PEOPLE MEAN BY DO IT ALL.

I DO NOT DO IT ALL.

>> MY STORY IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND THE SAME AS OTHER WOMEN WHO HAVE RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE.

I HAVE LIVED MANY OF THE MILESTONES IN MY LIFE AS A PUBLIC PERSON.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR ASKED ME TO BE HIS RUNNING MATE, MY HUSBAND AND I HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT STARTING A FAMILY, AND AS IT TURNS OUT I WAS PREGNANT.

MY TWINS WERE BORN JUST ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BECAME GOVERNOR, AFTER THE GOVERNOR RESIGNED TO BECOME AMBASSADOR TO CANADA.

THE OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE FOCUS ABOUT HAVING CHILDREN, CERTAINLY I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THAT LEVEL OF SCRUTINY AND GENDER BIAS.

I PROBABLY OVER INTERPRETED THE AMOUNT OF EQUALITY THAT EXISTED.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WOMEN WIN AS OFTEN AS MEN WHEN THEY RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

THE BAD NEWS IS WOMEN DO NOT RUN AS OFTEN AS MEN.

THERE IS AN AMBITION GAP.

WOMEN DO NOT SEE THEMSELVES IN PUBLIC OFFICE AS OFTEN.

THAT IS THE CASE IN A LOT OF PROFESSIONS.

WE NEED THOSE ROLE MODELS.

WE NEED YOUNG WOMEN TO BE ENCOURAGED TO RUN.

>> I DECIDED TO RUN BECAUSE WE NEEDED REPRESENTATION IN OUR DISTRICT.

I REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS USED ME BEING MUSLIM, HE USE THAT AGAINST ME.

I FOCUSED ON RUNNING TO MAKE THE LIFE OF PEOPLE BETTER AND THEY SAW SOME VISION IN ME THAT I COULD REPRESENT THEM WELL.

MY ELECTION NIGHT IN 2018, I WAS SPEECHLESS.

I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

I WAS IN SHOCK AND TEARS.

AFTER THAT I REALIZED I WON.

THIS IS REALITY.

I THINK I HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB AND I AM PROUD OF IT.

>> THETHE ISSUES WE ARE WORKING ON AFFECTS EVERYBODY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

NEW HAMPSHIRE IS AN AGING POPULATION.

WE DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG GENERATION THAT STICKS AROUND.

WHATEVER I DO WILL BENEFIT THE YOUNGER POPULATION.

MY FOCUS IS TO BETTER THE LIFE OF OUR NEW HAMPSHIRE CHILDREN.

ONE THING I'’M VERY PROUD, MY OLDEST DAUGHTER TELLS HER CLASSMATE HER MOM IS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR.

SHE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE.

JUST KNOWING I'’VE AFFECTED SOMEONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD IN A POSITIVE WAY, THAT SHE LOOKS UP AND SHE IS SO PROUD OF HER MOM, SHE DOES SOMETHING GOOD.

THAT IS A POSITIVE SIGN.

I CAN SEE HER BECOMING SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE, TOO.

>> I WAS ELECTED AT THE AGE OF 22, RIGHT OUT OF UVM AS A GRADUATING SENIOR.

IT IS IMPORTANT WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WILL SHAPE THE POLITICAL FUTURE.

1.5% OF ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE COUNTRY ARE WOMEN UNDER THE AGE OF 35.

YET IF YOU LOOK AT WHO IS IN CONGRESS, IT IS LARGELY MALE, WHITE, AND CHRISTIAN WHO ARE MOSTLY BABY BOOMERS.

WHO DO THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN CONGRESS LIKE TO MAK THE MOST LAWS ABOUT WESTMARK YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR BUCK -- MOST LAWS ABOUT?

YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR BODIES.

WE HAVE SO FEW YOUNG WOMEN WE WILL NEVER CHANGE THE FACE OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP AND NOT HAVE THE AGENDA THAT NEEDS TO BE REPRESENTED IN WASHINGTON.

WHAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR VERMONTERS TO THINK ABOUT IS HOW DEMOGRAPHICS WILL SHAPE OUR FUTURE.

AND I FIRST GOT TO THE LEGISLATURE, I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING MY LEGISLATIVE IDENTIFICATION.

I WAS IN LINE WITH OTHER LEGISLATURES AND PEOPLE MAKING THE ID CARDS KEPT INSISTING THIS WAS JUST FOR LEGISLATORS.

THERE I WAS, 20 TWO-YEAR-OLD WOMAN OF COLOR SAYING I'’M A LEGISLATOR AND I NEED TO GET MY ID.

IT TOOK A LONG TIME.

I DESIGN EXTRA PAPERWORK.

I WENT BACK TO MY CHAIR WOMAN AND SHE SAID DO YOU THINK THEY DIDN'’T BELIEVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG OR A WOMAN OR A PERSON OF COLOR?

I SAID I THINK IT IS ALL THREE.

VERMONT HAS A VERY INTERESTING DYNAMIC WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP.

WE CAN BE PROUD THAT WE ARE USUALLY TIED FOR FIRST IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND HERE WE ARE NEXT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND WE ALWAYS LIKE TO GIVE NEW HAMPSHIRE A HARD TIME, AND YET THEY HAVE CONSISTENTLY SENT WOMEN TO WASHINGTON AND WE NEVER SENT A WOMAN TO WASHINGTON.

>> AN AMAZING ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE NEXT SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> JEANNE SHAHEEN AND MAGGIE HASSAN, BOTH OF WHOM WERE GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR THEY BECAME SENATORS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT HAS HAPPENED IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

TWO WOMEN, BOTH GOVERNORS, SAME STATE MAKING UP THE SENATE DELEGATION IS COOL.

>> EARLY IN MY FIRST TERM I PLACED A CALL TO A CALL TO STATE SENATOR NAMED DAVID PEERS.

HE CALLED ME BACK LATER -- DAVID PIERCE, ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS SAID DAD, DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

GIRLS, WHAT YOU THINK.

ONE SAID I DON'’T THINK SO.

HE SAID WHY NOT?

SHE LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID DAD, YOU ARE NOT A GIRL.

>> I CERTAINLY DO REMEMBER THE STORY BECAUSE I WAS AT THE TIME OF THE PHONE CALL, I THINK I WAS THE ONLY DEMOCRATIC FEMALE GOVERNOR IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEN I WAS SWORN IN AS GOVERNOR, IT WAS AT A CEREMONY WITH A FEMALE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND A FEMALE CHIEF JUSTICE.

THAT WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY AS I LOOKED AROUND AND REALIZED THIS WAS NOT A TYPICAL REPRESENTATION BY GENDER AT AN INAUGURAL CEREMONY FOR A NEW GOVERNOR.

IT SAID A LOT ABOUT OUR PROGRESS.

IT ALSO SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WE HAVE A STRONG HISTORY OF WOMEN LEADERS.

>> AS I TALK TO THE MAYOR IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, PARTICULARLY MANCHESTER AND NASHUA >> I HAVE FOLLOWED IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE ELECTED GOVERNOR AND SENATOR IN THE COUNTRY, JEANNE SHAHEEN, WHO HAD BEEN OUR FIRST FEMALE ELECTED GOVERNOR IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> I SAW POLITICS AS A WAY TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE.

>> ONCE JEANNE SHAHEEN DID IT -- >> THEN IT DID NOT REALLY BECOME A NOVEL THING THAT I WAS RUNNING FOR STATE SENATE ARE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, AND NOW SERVING AS A U.S.

SENATOR.

>> I AM WITH GOVERNOR JEANNE SHAHEEN FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> WHEN I RAN FOR GOVERNOR IN 1996, I WAS ONLY THE NINTH WOMAN GOVERNOR ELECTED IN MY OWN RIGHT IN THE COUNTRY'’S HISTORY.

IT WAS STILL A RELATIVELY NEW PHENOMENON.

IT WAS ALWAYS INTERESTING TO ME WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, PEOPLE USED TO SAY TO ME, WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR.

MY RESPONSE WAS ALWAYS I DON'’T KNOW, I DON'’T KNOW, I'’VE NEVER BEEN A MAN GOVERNOR.

YOU HAVE TO TRY TO KEEP PEOPLE FOCUSED ON WHAT YOU'’RE TRYING TO DO AS OPPOSED TO YOUR GENDER.

THIS EFFORT TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS AN ATTACK ON WOMEN'’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.

ONCE I GOT ELECTED, I THOUGHT I BROKE THAT GLASS CEILING, I AM GOVERNOR, PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND AND ENGAGE WITH ME THE WAY THEY ENGAGE WITH GOVERNORS.

I THINK THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT BECAUSE I WAS A WOMAN THEY CANNOT PUSH ME -- THEY COULD PUSH ME AROUND, THEY SUGGESTED I DID NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING.

>> WOMEN ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ALL OF OUR MILITARY OPERATIONS.

>> THERE IS STILL SOME OF THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT USED TO HAVING WOMEN, PARTICULATE AND EXECUTIVE POSITIONS.

>> I WOULD HOPE THIS COMMITTEE WOULD ASK TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

MOST WOMEN GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS OVER CAUSE, OVER SOMETHING THEY BELIEVE IN.

THAT IS GOING TO BE GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, GOOD FOR OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM.

WE NEED MORE OF THAT.

THERE IS A MUCH TALENT OUT THERE WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

>> IT GOES BACK TO ROLE MODELS MATTER.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE OF US, AND ONCE THAT GETS NORMALIZED, PEOPLE START RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND START SERVING.

THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY.

>> THIS IS THE PUBLIC RADIO ELECTION DAY 2020.

UP NEXT WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATIVE LAYS -- LEGISLATIVE RACE TO BE DECIDED BY THE VOTER.

-- EARLY VOTES AROUND 10 AND MAILING VOTES AROUND 11:00, SO WE WILL HAVE A LONG TIME WAITING WITH DIFFICULT NUMBERS ON THE SCOREBOARD.

SHE HAS SACRIFICED A LOT TO BE IN THIS POSITION.

SHE IS STRESSED OUT ABOUT IT.

REP. CALDWELL: IT IS GOING EXACTLY AS WE ANTICIPATED.

ANTHONY IS UP AS ARE ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS IN MOST OF THE RACES IN THE CITIES AND TOWNS.

IT IS STRESSFUL TO HAVE TO WAIT.

IT WOULD BE MUCH EASIER IF THEY WERE ALL COMING OUT AT ONCE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN AROUND THE LEGISLATOR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE OF JUSTINE BEING ELECTED.

WE HAVE WATCHED PEOPLE LOSE AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF THEM.

I AM SURE IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT.

THEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT.

10:10.

NOTHING YET.

>> DO WANT TO GO FOR A WALK?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> NOTHING.

>> NOTHING.

I THOUGHT I SAW ONE OF THE NUMBERS CHANGE BUT IT WAS AN OPTICAL ILLUSION.

NOTHING.

WILL NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON UNTIL THE MAIL BALLOTS ARE OUT.

REP. CALDWELL: I CANNOT JUST SIT AND WAIT.

I CANNOT STAY UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT DOING THIS.

WHAT IS THE POINT.

I WILL GO PUT MY PAJAMAS ON.

WHAT WAS THAT?

>> SOMEONE ON FACEBOOK MESSAGING ME.

[LAUGHTER] ♪ >> WE ARE HERE ON THIS DAY WITH SO MUCH LOVE.

LOVE IS THE RIGHT WORD.

>> WE ARE HOPING WE SEE YOU ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 AT THE POLLS.

IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT WE HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK AND EVERYONE IS PRESENT.

>> THERE WAS A MEETING BEFORE THE MEETING AND YOUR TURN IS GONE.

2020, IT IS OUR TURN.

[APPLAUSE] ♪ >> THIS FILM