Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Launches #Because Of Her Social Media Campaign To Support Building National Women's History Museum

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney announced last Saturday a social media campaign, #BecauseOfHer,

Geraldine Ferraro is my inspiration. I am who I am #BecauseOfHer. Who inspires you? @HillaryClinton @Carole_King pic.twitter.com/3xRSfBPYUn
— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) November 15, 2014

to support the building of a National Women's History Museum (NWHM) in Washington DC. According to the NWHM:

Our Mission
The National Women’s History Museum educates, inspires, empowers, and shapes the future by integrating women's distinctive history into the culture and history of the United States.

Vision
The National Women’s History Museum’s vision is to build a world-class museum at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The National Women’s History Museum currently raises awareness and honors women’s diverse experiences and achievements through its dynamic online museum, educational programs, scholarship and research. Once housed prominently among the other great museums of Washington, D.C., it will create better understanding and greater partnerships among men and women.

The National Women’s History Museum will be the first museum in any nation’s capital to show the full scope of the history of its women and will serve as a guiding light to people everywhere....

This November 15 press release excerpt from Ms Maloney's office, describes the #BecauseOfHer social media campaign to feature:

... women sharing the stories of the women who inspired their lives, and aims to draw attention to the effort to build a National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) in Washington DC that would chronicle those stories. Rep. Maloney and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) authored a bill (H.R. 863) to create a privately funded commission to make recommendations for a NWHM. Their bill passed the House on May 7 by a vote of 383-33 but is currently being blocked in the Senate by Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Mike Lee (R-UT)...

You can add your story of women who have inspired you to these  examples of

#becauseofher Tweets

The full November 15 #Because Of Her Press Release from Congresswoman Maloney's office is below:

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and leading women today gathered in Manhattan to launch the #BecauseOfHer campaign. The social media effort features women sharing the stories of the women who inspired their lives, and aims to draw attention to the effort to build a National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) in Washington DC that would chronicle those stories. Rep. Maloney and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) authored a bill (H.R. 863) to create a privately funded commission to make recommendations for a NWHM. Their bill passed the House on May 7 by a vote of 383-33 but is currently being blocked in the Senate by Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Mike Lee (R-UT).

Rep. Maloney was joined by President of the National Women’s History Museum Joan Wages, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Assemblymember Elect Rebecca Seawright, Vice Chair of the New York State Democratic Party Trudy L. Mason, Susan Danish of the Junior League International, President of Alliance for Downtown New York Jessica Lappin, Owner of Straus Media Jeanne Straus, President of the Financial Women’s Association Kimberly Weinrick, President of the Enterprising and Professional Women of New York City Francesca Burack, and CEO and Founder of Bella Abzug Leadership Institute Liz J. Abzug.

“We started #BecauseOfHer to highlight the importance of inspirational figures,” said Maloney. “For me it was Geraldine Ferraro. She was a trailblazer. She was the first woman to be nominated to a major party Presidential ticket. Her story should be told and the stories of other remarkable women should be told to inspire the great leaders of our next generation. My bill to establish a National Women’s History Museum is being held up by two male Senators. I hope that this effort will show the broad support for the museum and why it is so important.”

“All of us stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us,” said President of the National Women’s History Museum Joan Wages. “For many of us, it was our mother who inspired us to live the best life possible. My mother repeatedly provided the encouragement I needed to cross life’s hurdles. It is Because of Her that I have dedicated the last 18 years to honoring our nation’s women.”

Congresswoman Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Brewer,  NWHM President Joan Wages, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez

"When I was younger, I got into political life because of Mary Anne Krupsak, the first woman elected Liuetenant Governor of New York State. Women of all ages need role models and illustrations of the various paths that women can take in life. That's why I strongly support Congresswoman Maloney's bill to create the National Women's History Museum,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer

“Without Miriam Friedlander (NYC Council, District 2, 1973-1991) there would be no Margarita Lopez (NYC Council, District 2, 1998-2005) and without Margarita Lopez there would be no Rosie Mendez (NYC Council, District 2, 2006-2017). I stand on their shoulders. In 1973, Miriam was one of two women serving on the NYC Council. In 1997, Margarita was the first out lesbian elected to the City Council and the first Puerto Rican Lesbian elected to office in the United States. I admired their passion and fearless advocacy against injustices. As outspoken women, they took some bruising to have their voices heard and, as a result, they paved a smoother path for me. That's why I support Congresswomen's Maloney's bill to create the National Women's History Museum so that the inspirational stories of women like Miriam and Margarita are captured and told,” said Councilwoman Rosie Mendez.

"When I was 19 and in college, I met Ann Richards, then Texas State Treasurer. I joined her winning campaign for Governor, organizing young women throughout the State. She proved that women can succeed at any level and remains an enduring inspiration. Her story belongs in the National Women's History Museum, proposed by our champion Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney," said Rebecca Seawright, Assembly Member Elect, 76th District.

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, 76th District Assemblymember Elect Rebecca Seawright

Rep. Maloney and the National Women’s History Museum organization are encouraging other women to share their stories in the form of videos, photos, tweets, and Facebook posts under the #BecauseOfHer banner.

Also, according to this September 10, 2014 Press Release excerpt from Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos' office:

New York City has added its to voice to the growing call for a National Women’s History Museum in DC, after a resolution in support passed the City Council today. The Council, under the leadership of Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, passed Resolution 354, calling for the Senate to end delays and pass legislation advancing the museum's formation on the National Mall. Congresswoman Maloney successfully passed legislation to move forward with a National Women’s History Museum in the House of Representatives 383-33, but two Senators, Mike Lee of Utah and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, are holding up the companion bill in the Senate, which has the support of all 20 women senators.

Council Members Ben Kallos and Laurie Cumbo, Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee, co-sponsored the resolution in support of federal bill H.R. 863 by Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and urging passage of its companion bill in the Senate. The museum would be supported through donations already being raised by 501(c)3 organization, National Women's History Museum.

By some estimates, women comprise only 10% of the figures represented in United States textbooks....

Why has the legislation stalled in the Senate? Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann explains why



she opposed the NWHM in the House Of Representatives.

All Gov reports on Utah's Senator Lee and Oklahoma's Senator Coburn blocking the bill from coming to the Senate floor for a vote:

... But Republican senators Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Mike Lee of Utah are blocking the measure from moving forward in the Senate. They say the plan could result in the federal government paying for a large portion of the museum at a time of trillion-dollar debts.

“Consideration of the museum’s long-term costs for taxpayers has not been fully addressed,” Brian Phillips, a Lee spokesman, told The Hill in an email. “Until then, Sen. Lee will not support allowing the bill to move forward without full and complete debate on the Senate floor.” A spokesman for Coburn echoed Lee’s concerns.

Maloney says the holdup is “just outrageous.” She noted that other groups have established museums in Washington through the establishment of a commission. So why can’t advocates of women’s history do the same? “How come everyone else can have that model, but not us?” she told The Hill....