Lawless Letter Highlights Strong Local and National Support

Progressive Leaders Cite Lawless’ Expertise, Vision, and Grassroots Support

WARWICK, RI – Jennifer Lawless, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District, today released a letter signed by several well-known local and national progressive leaders in support of her candidacy for Congress.

“They all agree – it’s time for a change,” said Lawless. “Our state and country must elect real progressives who will fight for important causes from a woman’s right to choose to a better national foreign policy. This district has gone underrepresented for too long, and I am very excited about the momentum we are building in this campaign to bring new leadership to Congress.”

The signers of the letter noted James Langevin’s lack of leadership on a number of progressive issues, and Lawless’ vision for a new direction for Rhode Island. “Jennifer Lawless is a passionate advocate for a woman’s right to choose and a nationally recognized expert on women and politics,” the letter reads. “We have a unique opportunity to replace an anti-choice Democrat who has not been a leader on progressive causes with a pro-choice woman who is a strong champion for Democratic values.”

The letter is signed by nine local and national activists and leaders, all of whom are strong supporters of Lawless’ campaign, including: Julie Burton, Former Executive Director of Voters for Choice; Gloria Feldt, Author and Past President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Victoria Hopper, Activist; Miriam Inocencio, Community Leader and Activist; Wendy MackKenzie, Reproductive Rights Activist; Lisa Perry, Reproductive Rights Activist; Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, Community Leader and Activist; Gloria Steinem, Author and Activist; and Sarah Weddington, Winning Attorney in Roe v. Wade.

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In the News...

Steinem, Weddington Sign Letter for Lawless

Brown University political scientist Jennifer Lawless, who has based her Democratic primary challenge to Rep. James Langevin (D) almost exclusively on the issue of abortion, released a letter of support this week from nine local and national women’s leaders, including Gloria Steinem, author and Ms. Magazine founder, and Sarah Weddington, winning attorney in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case.

“They all agree — it’s time for a change,” Lawless said in a statement. “Our state and country must elect real progressives who will fight for important causes from a woman’s right to choose to a better national foreign policy.”

In addition to Steinem and Weddington, the letter was signed by Julie Burton, former executive director of Voters for Choice, and Gloria Feldt, author and past president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, among others.

This article appeared on June 22, 2006, in Roll Call, a Washington, DC newspaper.