Mothers, legislators to discuss moms' influence on Election Day and beyond

The Twin Cities East chapter of "Mothers and More" invites area mothers to discuss their influence as voters in a panel discussion with seated Minnesota legislators.

Scheduled panelists are Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-District 56), Rep. Marsha Swails (DFL-District 56B) and Rep. Matt Dean (R-District 52B).

The meeting will be held Tuesday, July 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Oak Meadows Multi-purpose Room, 8131 Fourth Street North, Oakdale.

Admission is free. To RSVP, call (651) 204-0071 or e-mail mothersandmoretce@yahoo.com.

The non-partisan event aims to bring mothers and legislators together for conversation about the impact mothers have on election outcomes and how mothers can shape the policy issues that affect their lives.

“Stretching the dollar to make ends meet, rising energy costs, fair workplace pay, access to affordable child care and health care, the ability to save for college education and retirement,” said Margaret Thomas, advocacy and outreach chairperson for the Twin Cities East chapter. “Those represent only a handful of the policy issues that are on moms’ minds. Election Day is just one day. Moms need to know how they can keep their voices in front of legislators the other 364 days of the year in relevant ways.”

U.S. Census Bureau data shows that female voters have turned out in greater numbers than men in each successive presidential election since 1980. This is true among women voters aged 16 to 44, who have voted in greater numbers than men of the same age for each presidential election since 1996.

“Soccer mom, Wal-Mart mom, even working mom or stay-at-home mom... If you don’t see yourself in a label you tune it out or, worse, form an impression that your voice won’t be heard because candidates and politicians are focused on people who are different from you,” said Thomas, who agrees that such terms can disguise the concerns mothers share in common.

Mothers and More is coordinating the panel discussion in cooperation with the St. Croix Valley chapter of the League of Women Voters, which will be on hand at the event to accept voter registrations and make related information available.

Twin Cities East is the newest of four Mothers and More chapters based in Minnesota, with membership encompassing Woodbury, Stillwater, Oakdale, Lake Elmo and nearby Washington County communities.

Tags: community, mothers, legislators, oakdale, woodbury, swails, saltzman, dean