Women In Government is thrilled to welcome Libby Derting to serve as the Director of Policy and Programs and Heather Godwin to serve as the Program Manager.  

Women In Government welcomed Ohio female state legislators in Columbus on Tuesday, October 27, at the Ohio State Briefing and Dinner. The Briefing was hosted by Sen. Shannon Jones and Rep. Linda Bolon. WIG President Mary Brooks Beatty greeted the legislators and spoke about WIG’s work both in Ohio and nationally. 

Washington, D.C. – October 27, 2009 - Women In Government, a national, bi-partisan, non-profit organization representing women state legislators recently released our new Diabetes Legislative Toolkit. This Toolkit is designed to provide state legislators with the essential tools necessary to promote legislation and educate their constituents on the various issues surrounding diabetes, including: education, screening, and treatment.

Women In Government’s Board of Directors traveled to Paris, France, and Brussels, Belgium, for five days in October on a study mission dedicated to learning about improving world health through local policy.

Women In Government (WIG) welcomed Florida female state legislators in Tallahassee on Tuesday, October 6, at the Florida State Briefing and Luncheon. The Briefing was hosted by Senator Evelyn Lynn and Representative Audrey Gibson. WIG President Mary Brooks Beatty greeted the legislators and spoke about WIG’s work both in Florida and nationally.

The Commonwealth Fund designed a State Scorecard to develop a better understanding of the current distressed health care system, highlighting areas for improvement state by state.  The 2009 edition shows through a compilation of data and various rankings where national common concerns and nationwide disparity can be addressed, and where state legislation is needed to foster individual state improvement.

October 2009 marks the 25th year of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Great progress has been made in awareness, detection, and treatment of breast cancer; However, there is still much that needs to be accomplished. 

Women In Government President, Mary Brooks Beatty, traveled to Chicago, Illinois on September 28 for a State Briefing on the topic of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). This briefing was hosted by Representative Patti Bellock, a Women In Government board member as well as co-chair of the World MRSA Day kick-off event.

Women In Government held the First Annual Energy Summit September 10 - 12, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.  This Summit brought together over forty women state legislators for a three day meeting highlighting the current landscape and addressing the future of energy policy.  Presentations were given by state legislators and regulators from across the country on current energy policy being enacted or promulgated.  A variety of energy policy topics were discussed including oil and gas reserves and production issues, the market potential for renewables, and how a state can create a balanced energy portfolio. 

For a full agenda and to learn more about this meeting, click here. 

September is Pain Awareness Month.  Approximately 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - an autoimmune disease with symptoms of join pain, swelling and stiffness.  RA is a debilitating and painful chronic disease that has no cure.  Awareness of RA, its symptoms and risk factors is still minimal. 

Click here to visit our Rheumatoid Arthritis Policy Resource Center which may assist in the efforts to increase awareness of RA and reduce its burden.

Many states are beginning to understand the benefits of diversifying their states energy portfolio. Though the US is the largest consumer of energy in the world, our per capita use has remained fairly static over the last decade according to EIA.   State legislators play an integral and critical role in shaping a more balanced energy portfolio for the nation’s future.

Women In Government (WIG) held their 12th Annual Western Regional Conference July 30 - August 1, 2009 in San Diego, California.  Forty women state legislators from the region convened to listen to speakers and to discuss policy issues including energy, chronic health issues, the economy and the environment. 

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Policy Resource Center is dedicated to connecting female state legislators to policy resources related to promoting the early detection and treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Policy Resource Center supports state legislator efforts to advance policy with model legislation and educational materials.

Washington, D.C. – June 22, 2009 – Women In Government (WIG) will launch the new Family Economic Success (FES) Resource Center today. The Resource Center is dedicated to connecting female state legislators to policy resources that support financial stability for low- and moderate-income, working families. It is one of two new resource centers being launched this summer—the other is focused on rheumatoid arthritis.

Women In Government President, Mary Brooks Beatty, traveled to Raleigh, NC on May 20, 2009 for a State Briefing on the topic of adult vaccination. This briefing was hosted by Women In Government Board Members, Senator Katie Dorsett and Representative Annie Mobley.