>>> HI, I'M ERIC FORD FOR MADE HERE.

FORMER PBS FILMMAKER FROM MONTREAL DIRECTS X FACTOR.

ALTHOUGH THE 19th AMENDMENT PROTECTS THE WOMAN'S RIGHT TO VOTE, THEY ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE U.S.

THE X FACTOR LOOKS AT THE TRAILBLAZING WOMEN AND IMPACT ON THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

YOU CAN WATCH "THE X FACTOR" AND OTHER MADE HERE STORIES ABOUT THE REGION ON VERMONTPBS.ORG AND THE APP.

ENJOY THE FILM AND THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

>> I AM THINKING ABOUT THE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN, BLACK WOMEN, ASIAN, WHITE, LATINA, NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN WHO THROUGHOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR THIS MOMENT TONIGHT, BUT WHILE I MAY BE THE FIRST WOMAN IN THIS OFFICE, I WILL NOT BE THE LAST.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> I'M JUSTINE CALDWELL.

I'M JUSTINE CALDWELL.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL.

>> THANK YOU, SPEAKER.

I STARTED MY WORK IN POLITICS ON LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION ISSUES LIKE HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT.

>> I HAD NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD ENTER POLITICS, AND WHEN I WAS IN GRADUATE SCHOOL GETTING MY Ph.D.

IN AMERICAN STUDIES, I STARTED VOLUNTEERING ON CAMPAIGNS AND BECAME A LEADER.

I SAW THAT, YOU KNOW, WOW, THIS IS REALLY AFFECTING PEOPLE.

I WAS REALLY MAKING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD THAT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE MAKING WHEN I GOT ANY GRADUATE DEGREES AND KIND OF BECAME A TEACHER.

I WAS REALLY LOOKING FOR AT THAT TIME DOING SOMETHING THAT WOULD REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, AND I REALLY FELT LIKE I COULD AFFECT CHANGE.

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

YOU KNOW, THE SMALLEST THING YOU CAN DO, YOU KNOW, JUST PICKING UP A PHONE CALL TO TALK TO SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW, IS REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

>> AN UNPRECEDENTED GROUNDSWELL OF WOMEN ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE AROUND THE COUNTRY, LIKE ME, AWAKENED BY THE RESULTS OF THE 2016 ELECTION.

>> I HAD BEEN A FAN OF HILLARY CLINTON FOR SO LONG SO I WAS SO EXCITED SHE WAS RUNNING, JUST 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 STILL THOUGHT THAT WAS OKAY, I JUST WAS ANGRY.

YOU KNOW, I WAS SAD, BUT I WAS REALLY ANGRY.

SO THAT REALLY MOTIVATED ME TO SAY, LIKE, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

SO AFTER THE ELECTION, SHE WENT ON A BOOK TOUR.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR NOT GOING QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] I VIEWED THIS BOOK AS MUCH ABOUT RESILIENCE AS ABOUT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

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

YOU KNOW, I SORT OF THOUGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE WOULD SAY, YEAH, WE REALLY DO WANT SOMEBODY WHO'S CALM AND COMPOSED IN THE OVAL OFFICE, AND -- [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] SO -- >> I WENT UP TO HER, AND SHE GAVE US HUGS, AND I SAID TO HER, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I AM RUNNING FOR OFFICE NOW BECAUSE OF THIS, AND SHE JUST SAID, YOU KNOW, GET OUT THERE AND KNOCK ON DOORS.

I WAS RUNNING AGAINST A THREE-TERM INCUMBENT.

HE'S A VERY CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN.

>> ALL THE SUDDEN, I HATE WOMEN.

WHY?

BECAUSE I DIDN'T ATTEND A DOG AND PONY SHOW, WHICH IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN, I WOULD DO IT EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.

THAT -- THAT SEXUAL HARASSMENT THING AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> PEOPLE WERE, LIKE, WELL, THAT'S GREAT SOMEONE'S CHALLENGING HIM, BUT, YOU KNOW, NO WAY.

IT IS A LONG SHOT.

LIKE, YOU SHOULD DO IT, BUT YOU HAVE NO CHANCE.

HA-HA!

RIGHT, LIKE, HE'S OLDER, HE'S WEALTHY, HE HAD BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME, AND I WAS 36, WHICH PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS VERY YOUNG.

I HAD TWO LITTLE KIDS, YOU KNOW, IT WAS JUST A HUGE LONG SHOT, AND WE WERE, LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO RUN A GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN.

WE STARTED KNOCKING ON DOORS.

>> HELLO?

>> HI THERE, I'M JUSTINE CALDWELL.

SEVEN MONTHS OF KNOCKING ON DOORS FOR EVERY DAY.

IT'S EAST GRENICH.

YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

WE CAN PROTECT WOMEN, CODIFY ROE V. WADE.

YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT GUNS.

>> YOU MURDER, YOU ARE A CRIMINAL.

>> YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT.

THAT'S GOING TO TURN PEOPLE OFF.

I SAID, WELL, NO, I'M NOT GOING TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND NOT TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT I CARE ABOUT, AND I KNEW PEOPLE CARED ABOUT THAT LIKE I DID, AND THEY DID.

♪ I WAS THE FOURTH CLOSEST RACE IN RHODE ISLAND.

I WON BY 169 VOTES.

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

IT WAS VERY UNPLEASANT.

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

>> OPPONENTS, NOT ENEMIES, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

BECAUSE EVERY TIME I RUN INTO HER, IT'S LIKE SHE SAW THE DEVIL, AND I LOVE WOMEN, I LOVE MY WIFE, MOTHER, AND DAUGHTER.

>> PEOPLE TOOK OFFENSE TO THAT, THAT I WOULD CHALLENGE SOMEONE WHO HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE.

>> RESTORING SOME ETHICAL PRACTICES TO THE RHODE ISLAND GOVERNMENT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I'M RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE.

>> I FELT LIKE I COULD SERVE JUST AS WELL AS ANYBODY ELSE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT CAN BE ROUGH AND TUMBLE.

THERE IS DEFINITELY A DOUBLE STANDARD FOR WOMEN, LIKE, RIGHT NOW, I'M ONE OF NINE FEMALE GOVERNORS IN THE COUNTRY.

THERE SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW, 25, 30 FEMALE GOVERNORS, THEN IT WOULD BE NORMAL.

IF YOU LOOK AT RHODE ISLAND, IT IS ASTOUNDING TO ME THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD A FEMALE UNITED STATES SENATOR, NEVER A FEMALE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN RHODE ISLAND, AND WE ONLY HAD ONE FEMALE CONGRESSWOMAN, DECADES AGO.

I'M, OF COURSE, THE FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO.

>> IN A FEW MINUTES, I'LL SIT THERE AND SIGN THE BILL, AND GUARANTEEING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL FAMILIES IN THE STATE.

THIS IS LONG, LONG OVERDUE.

WOMEN ARE GREAT READERS, BRINGING A SENSE OF CAN-DO PRACTICAL ATTITUDES OF SOLVING PROBLEMS AND A BIT OF COMPASSION.

I THINK WE MISS OUT IF WOMEN ARE NOT AT THE TABLE.

HALF THE POPULATION, HALF OF THE WORLD BRAIN POWER, MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, WORKING MOMS, AND THOSE ARE VOICES THAT HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE IMPORTANT PROBLEMS THAT RHODE ISLANDERS AND AMERICANS NEED SOLVED.

>> IT IS NOT ABOUT POWER.

IT IS ABOUT WHAT CAN I DO TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY?

HOW CAN I MAKE AN IMPACT?

HOW DO I HELP US CITIZENS BECOME BETTER HUMAN BEINGS, AND CAN I DO THAT WITH A POLITICAL VOICE?

WHAT WILL I ADD TO IT?

WOMEN HAVE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

>> I THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR ME, AND I WANT TO KEEP STANDING UP FOR ALL OF YOU.

>> TO BRING ABOUT JUSTICE IN THIS SOCIETY SO STEP IN, PLEASE.

>> I SIT DOWN WITH THE LEGEND, ROSELYN VIOLET.

WHO IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOUR BACKGROUND, GIVE US A SUMMARY OF YOUR LIFE'S JOURNEY.

>> SURE.

I WAS A NUN FOR 23 YEARS, AND DURING THAT TIME, I DID A LOT OF INNER CITY WORK, AND I SAW THAT MANY THINGS THAT SHOULD CHANGE WERE NOT CHANGING AT ALL, AND IN PARTICULAR, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS UNFAIR.

AS A NUN, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD THING TO TRY TO CHANGE THOSE POLICIES, AND IN RHODE ISLAND, THE ONLY PERSON WHO COULD DO THAT WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> TONIGHT, I AM ANNOUNCING THAT I AM GOING TO BE YOUR CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] I JUST SAW IT AS JUST ANOTHER WAY AS DOING A MINISTRY, MAINLY TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I DIDN'T LOOK AT IT AS, YOU KNOW, BEING IN POLITICS, BECAUSE, PER SE, I DIDN'T CARE SO MUCH ABOUT BEING IN POLITICS AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO BE A CHANGE AGENT.

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

SHE WAS A VERY CHARISMATIC AND DISRUPTIVE FIGURE, AND GOT EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION.

>> I LOOKED AT THE SYSTEM.

THERE WERE NO VICTIMS' RIGHTS, AND IN THE STATE, WE WERE THE SEAT OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN NEW ENGLAND.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH, OBJECTIVE TRUTH.

>> WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT.

>> EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A VERY LITTLE TENTATIVE VOICE AT FIRST BECAUSE YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT DOING IT, GO IN AND ROAR YOUR TRUTH.

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

>> I THINK THERE'S A CONSTANT BOMBARDMENT OF SEEING WOMEN IN TOP ROLES HERE IN NEW ENGLAND.

>> YES, A WOMAN CAN BE PRESIDENT.

>> AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT CONVINCES MORE WOMEN TO RUN WHEN THEY SEE OTHER WOMEN WHO ARE SUCCESSES AT IT.

>> DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> YOU WILL FACE SEXISM AND DOUBLE STANDARDS.

WOMEN SHOULD JUST KNOW THAT, BUT YOU CAN GET MORE DONE THAN I EVER REALIZED.

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

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

IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

BACK THEN, I WOULD CLOSE MY EYES AND THINK OF A MOMENT WHERE WE MIGHT ACTUALLY VOTE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE ACT AND HOW MY VOTE WOULD BE SO DIFFERENT THAN MY OPPONENT'S, AND THAT'S WHAT WOULD KEEP ME GOING.

NOW I THINK IT'S WORTH IT BECAUSE EVERY TIME I STEP INTO THAT CHAMBER AND PUSH MY GREEN BUTTON TO SAY I'M THERE AND IT COMES UP, I SAY I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TODAY.

IT'S LIKE SUCH AN HONOR TO REALLY REPRESENT THE IDEALS THAT I HAVE AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO, ANNA, WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING PRIMARY NIGHT, ELECTION RESULTS.

I'VE BEEN IN THIS STUDIO ROOM, VPR, FOR SOMETHING, LIKE, EIGHT HOURS, AND WE FINALLY HAVE SOME RESULTS.

>> WELL, WHAT ARE THEY?

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR -- >> SIGNS, SIGNS, YEP, HAPPY TO SEE YOU.

>> OH, NICE, YEAH.

>> I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN VERMONT.

TODAY, WE ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THE PERSON 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 BOLD.

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

AND WORKERS.

>> YOU START AND PUT YOUR VOICE FORWARD, YOU ARE WALLED THE B-WORD, AND I MEAN BOSSY AND THE OTHER WORD AS WELL, BUT IF YOU ARE SWEET AND CARING, YOU'RE A PUSHOVER, AND PEOPLE DO NOT TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY, SO MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE HAS BEEN ABOUT NAVIGATING THIS, YOU KNOW, VERY, VERY TREACHEROUS TERRAIN, I WOULD SAY, TO GET THE RIGHT BALANCE.

I WAS BORN IN INDIA.

I LEFT WHEN I WAS 7 MONTHS SO I'M A PROUD AMERICAN CITIZEN OF INDIA IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND.

IF YOU DON'T FIT THE PARTICULAR MOLD OF WHAT IS AN ACCEPTABLE FACE AND ACCEPTABLE BODY, YOU WILL DEFINITELY GET DISPARAGED.

NICE TO MEET YOU!

IN MY CASE, I LOOK YOUNG.

I'M IN MY MID-30s.

THE FIRST QUESTION I'M ALWAYS FINDING, IS, HOW OLD ARE YOU?

18, 12?

THESE THINGS WHERE YOU ARE BASICALLY DISMISSED.

THE CONTENT OF YOUR WORDS DO NOT MATTER.

IT'S ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, AND IT'S BECOME SO POLITICIZED THAT VERY A FEW ADDRESS POLICIES WITH NEUTRAL OBJECTIVITY.

WE NEED TENACITY.

THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

EVERYONE IS GOING TO THROW EVERYTHING AT YOU.

I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW DARE YOU, YOU KNOW, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

I'M TRYING TO JUMP IN FROM INDIA INTO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S SEAT.

I SHOULD GO BACK TO INDIA, YOU KNOW, HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?

WE HAVE A PECKING ORDER.

YOU GOT TO GO DOWN HERE, KIDS POLITICAL RINGS AND GO UP.

YOU NEED COURAGE.

PUBLIC SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY CLOSE TO MY HEARD, AND SO I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO STEP INTO THE ARENA, AND I HAVE TO GIVE VOICE TO THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE IT AND ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

>> FROM VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO, THIS IS "BRAVE LITTLE STATE."

>> TALKING ABOUT IN VERMONT, I LISTED ABOUT WOMEN I KNOW THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, PRETTY HEAVY-HITTERS IN VERMONT POLITICS, LIKE -- >> MISTY JOHNSON.

>> SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> THERE'S 49 STATES NOW THAT HAVE SENT A WOMAN TO WASHINGTON.

VERMONT IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

WE'RE THE LAST ONE.

>> IT'S AN EMBARRASSING QUESTION BECAUSE VERMONT LOVES ITS INCUMBENTS IN CONGRESS, AND AS LONG AS PEOPLE GET ELECTED TO THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE, 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 FOR MEN, THEY WAKE UP ONE DAY AND SAY, HEY, I THINK I SHOULD RUN.

>> I THINK WOMEN ARE THE FIRST TO ALWAYS SAY, I GOT TO FINISH MY MBA, MAKE SURE MY FAMILY IS SETTLED FINANCIALLY FIRST, AND I SAY TO THAT, BOLOGNA, LIKE, NO, WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT.

THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO HELL IN A CLUTCH PURSE.

LET'S GET GOING NOW.

LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET YOU ON THE BALLOT TODAY.

>> IT'S NOT IMPORTANT TO HAVE WOMEN IN POLITICS.

IT IS ESSENTIAL.

IT IS REQUIRED.

BECAUSE WHEN WOMEN ARE ELECTED, GOVERNMENT DOES THINGS IT DOESN'T DO OTHERWISE.

GOVERNMENT PAYS ATTENTION TO HEALTHCARE.

WE FOCUS ON FAMILIES.

WE FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER TO FAMILIES.

>> YOU GOT TO HAVE AN ONLINE COMMUNITY, FIRST, E-MAIL ADDRESSES, TWITTER FOLLOWERS, BUILD THAT ONLINE COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING YOU GOT TO BEGIN TO BUILD YOUR ARMY NOW, RIGHT?

>> I TRAINED OVER 9,000 DEMOCRATIC PRO-CHOICE WOMEN TO SEEK AND SERVE IN STATE AND LOCAL OFFICE.

IN THE MORNING, FIRST THING I DO IS SCAN THE NEWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO ARE SICK OR DEAD, AND THAT IS BECAUSE I WANT TO REPLACE THEM WITH THE WOMEN THAT I HAVE HELPED TRAIN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

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

>> I THINK WE WERE UNDERREPRESENTED FOR SO LONG BECAUSE IT DIDN'T REALLY -- I THINK, EVER OCCUR TO PEOPLE EARLY ON THAT WOMEN COULD DO IT AS WELL OR BETTER THAN MEN.

>> IT NEVER WOULD HAVE OCCURRED TO ME TO RUN FOR SPEAKER IN MY FOURTH TERM.

THE CONDITIONING THAT I GOT WAS THAT YOU HAD TO WAIT IN LINE.

YOU HAD TO BE ASKED.

YOU JUST HAD TO DO YOUR BEST.

JUST HOPE SOMEBODY NOTICED YOU AND GAVE YOU SOMETHING THAT YOU DESERVED.

NOT THAT YOU WENT OUT AND GOT IT.

I CAME IN AS A FRESHMEN MEMBER OF THE MINORITY PARTY, AND A BUNCH OF THE SEXISM AND GENDER DYNAMICS ARE ABOUT POWER, AND MY POSITION OF POWER HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN 18 YEARS.

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

I WAS PROPOSITIONED BY MARRIED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

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

I WAS CALLED A GOOD LITTLE GIRL A NUMBER OF TIMES BY MY COLLEAGUES THAT JUST HAD, LIKE, TWO OR THREE YEARS ON ME, BUT I THINK THE CLIMATE HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED AS WE INSTITUTED SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION POLICIES, AND I REMEMBER THE MINORITY LEADER, WHO WAS NOT KNOWN FOR HIS BROAD SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS, CAME IN TO 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'S CHANGED?

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

>> I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS THAT WOMEN FACE IS THAT THEY NEED TO BE MORE QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR OFFICE, AND SO WHEN I HEAR SOMEONE SAYING, LOOK, YOU CAN'T RUN FOR THIS OFFICE BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT DONE X, Y, AND 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 THAT THEY HAD THAT WERE BAR BARRIERS.

BILL CLINTON, AN INTERN, AND A CIGAR.

WE REELECT HIM.

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

DONALD TRUMP HAS MORE BARRIERS THAN YOU CAN COUNT.

YOU THINK YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED?

YOU THINK YOU CAN'T DO THE JOB?

GO HOME.

TURN ON C-SPAN.

LOOK WHO IS RUNNING YOUR COUNTRY.

YOU'RE ALREADY QUALIFIED.

>> I THINK AT THIS POINT, WE'RE EVEN STARTING TO SEE MORE WOMEN RUN ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, AND I THINK YOU GOT ENOUGH PEOPLE AND ENOUGH POSITIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, THAT THERE'S A REALLY, REALLY SOLID BENCH OF STRONG FEMALE POLITICIANS READY TO MOVE UP INTO CONGRESS AND SENATE, AND RIGHT NOW, AS VICE PRESIDENT, SO I THINK THAT THAT'S UNDERWAY, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING TO FEAR ABOUT THAT CHANGING.

I THINK THAT'S JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND, AND IT IS A GOOD THING.

>> HERE'S THE THING.

I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> I THINK THAT WOMEN FACE MANY BARRIERS RUNNING FOR OFFICE STILL.

I THINK WHAT WOMEN NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN POLITICS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE DO IN EMERGE VERMONT.

EMERGE VERMONT IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT RECRUITS AND TRAINS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

IT WAS BORN OUT OF THE CONVERSATION AROUND THE GOVERNOR'S KITCHEN TABLE ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, I WAS PROUD TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS VERMONT'S GOVERNOR, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE THE LAST.

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

IN VERMONT?

>> WELL, I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER, BUT I'M 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'S CRISIS, WOMEN STEP UP.

>> I THINK WOMEN ARE STILL FRESH TO POLITICS SO THEY DON'T NECESSARILY ACCEPT THE STATUS QUO.

THEY ASK MORE QUESTIONS, NOT JUST A POWER GAME, BUT IT'S I'M IN POLITICS TO DO SOMETHING, TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING.

>> LET'S MAKE UNIVERSAL PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTHCARE A REALITY IN VERMONT.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> AND I THINK, ALSO, WOMEN BRING A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN MEN DO.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU'RE ON THE MENU.

>> IT MEANS IF YOU'RE NOT THERE TO SPEAK UP FOR THE THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT -- >> I'M RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF VERMONT TREASURER.

>> OTHER PEOPLE WILL DO IT FOR YOU, AND IT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT YOU WANT.

ALL THESE MEN ARE DECIDING OUR FATES, SO WE HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE WHERE THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.

>> LET'S VOTE FOR WOMEN.

LET'S ELECT WOMEN.

LET'S GET OUT THE VOTE.

>> WE HAVE OVER 130 EMERGE ALUMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND OUR ALUMS HAVE AN 83% WIN RATE IN THE ELECTIONS, AND I AM CONFIDENT WE'LL BEAT THAT THIS YEAR.

>> DEMOCRAT, MOLLY GRAY, HAS NEVER RUN FOR OFFICE BEFORE, AND IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HOWEVER, SHE'S GARNERED SUPPORT FROM TOP DEMOCRATS.

>> AND IT'S UNUSUAL FOR WOMEN TO LEAP TO A STATEIDE OFFICE BEFORE SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT MEN DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

SHE'S GOT CRITICISM BECAUSE SHE DID IT, BUT I THINK SHE PROVED HER QUALIFICATIONS.

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

>> I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF IMPLICIT BIAS THAT WOMEN STILL FACE WHEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> DOING A DAY OF VOLUNTEERING WITH AGE WELL, GOING AROUND TO HOUSES TO DELIVER MEALS DURING COVID, WHEN WE WERE EXTREMELY ISOLATED, AND A TV STATION COMES ALONG, AND I REMEMBER THAT NIGHT, I WENT TO WATCH THE COVERAGE ABOUT AGE WELL AND THEIR IMPORTANT WORK, BUT THE COVERAGE WAS MY SHOES WALKING AROUND DELIVERING MEALS, AND THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MY SHOES THAT SEEMED TO BE MORE INTERESTING THAN THE ACTUAL TOPICS AND ISSUES AT HAND, AND SO WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO IN THIS STATE, I THINK, IN ENSURING THAT WE HAVE TRULY UNBIASED COVERAGE OF WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> THOSE KINDS OF THINGS STILL HAPPEN TO WOMEN.

WE ARE STILL FIRST AND FOREMOST FOCUSED ON, WHAT IS SHE WEARING, WHAT'S THE HAIR LOOK LIKE, HOW THICK ARE THE GLASSES, LOOK AT THAT HEM LINE.

>> IT IS REALLY EASY FOR WOMEN TO BE LIKABLE OR UNLIKABLE AT THE DROP OF A HOT.

LOOK, I MEAN, PEOPLE SEEING THIS ON TV WILL SAY TO YOU, TO OTHER PEOPLE, LOOK AT HER HAIR, LOOKS LIKE SHE'S NOT GONE TO A HAIRDRESSER IN SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS.

WELL, THAT'S TRUE, I HAVEN'T.

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

>> I'M SORRY, THERE'S A PANDEMIC GOING ON, SO WE'RE JUST NOT ALL AS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR HAIR AND MAKEUP TODAY AS WE MIGHT OTHERWISE BE, BUT PEOPLE DO JUDGE WOMEN ON THE BASIS OF THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THEY DON'T JUDGE MEN ON THAT BASIS.

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

WHERE DOES SHE STAND ON HEALTHCARE?

IT'S CHANGING.

JUST NOT FAST ENOUGH.

>> IN FACT, MY FIRST OPPONENT CALLED ME "NICE," SHE'S TOO NICE AND WON'T GET ANYTHING DONE.

SHE'S TOO NICE.

>> MORE COOPERATIVE, BIPARTISAN FEEL TO THE SENATE.

>> I WAS THE FIRST IN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IN THE COUNTRY, AND I SAW HOW TOUGH AND CAPABLE WE COULD BE.

>> I WAS A STATE SENATOR, AND LARSON WAS THE FIRST FEMALE LEGISLATIVE BODY, STATE LEGISLATIVE BODY IN THE COUNTRY, AND IT WAS QUITE AN HONOR.

>> YOU KNOW, I LOOK BACK, AND WE TALKED THROUGH EVERYTHING, AND SO INSTEAD OF JUST RUNNING IN AND ME BEING SENATE PRESIDENT, TELLING EVERYONE, HERE'S HOW YOU VOTE, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO, YOU ALL GOT TO GET IN LINE.

WE HAD HOURS OF GETTING CONSENSUS SO WE MADE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN HAVING AT THE TABLE WE ARGUED AND LISTENED TO EACH OTHER, BUT WE CAME TOGETHER ON REALLY IMPORTANT LAWS.

WE PASSED MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

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

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

>> THERE WAS, FIRST OF ALL, A DEBATE AND A DAY I WILL REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR THOUSANDS, IT MEANT THAT THEY COULD MARRY THE PERSON THEY LOVE, AND I LIKE TO THINK THAT THE MAJORITY OF FEMALE SENATE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

>> DID YOU THINK THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY WOULD PASS WITHOUT A FEMALE MAJORITY?

>> I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAVE PASSED.

THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE FEAR OF LOSING THE MAJORITY, LOSING THEIR OFFICE, LOSING STATUS, BUT I HAD MORE PEOPLE COME UP, OLD GUYS IN SUSPENDERS IN THE FARM CLOTHES SAYING, I'M SO GLAD YOU DID THAT BECAUSE MY SON HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, SUFFERING ALL THESE YEARS, SO IT WAS A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE TO WORK WITH THESE WOMEN, AND WE JUST GOT THOSE THINGS DONE, THE LITTLE THINGS YOU COULD DO TO MAKE SOMEONE'S LIFE BETTER.

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

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

>> SOMEBODY SAID TO ME ONE TIME, I JUST KEEP THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH BRAIN CAPACITY AND BANDWIDTH WOULD BE FREED UP IF THE WOMEN WHO WORKED IN THIS BUILDING DIDN'T HAVE TO WALK AROUND POSITIONING THEMSELVES AND PLAYING DEFENSE ALL THE TIME.

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

LET'S SAY HOW SAD IT IS THAT WOMEN HAVE HAD TO VOTE FOR 100 VOTE, AND WE WERE -- WERE, UP TO 16% WOMEN SPEAKERS.

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

THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> WELCOME TO MAINE.

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

I WAS ON THE NATIONAL BOARD OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS' ASSOCIATION, AND WE WOULD HAVE CONVENTIONS WITH 500 PEOPLE, AND I WOULD BE THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, AND I WOULD BE ASKED TO GO MAKE THE COFFEE.

IT WAS AN OPEN SEAT FOR GOVERNOR, AND I THREW MY HAT IN THE RING, AND I SAID, WELL, WHY NOT ME?

WHY NOT?

SO I TOOK A GAMBLE, WENT FOR IT, AND HAD A SEVEN WAY PRIMARY, WHICH I WON, AND A FOUR-WAY GENERAL ELECTION, WHICH I WON.

>> THE DUTY IS INCUMBENT ON ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MAINE.

>> PEOPLE ASKED IN THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION, ARE YOU RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR TO BECOME THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR OF MAINE?

I ALWAYS SAID, BECAUSE I BELIEVED IT, NO.

I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE I BELIEVE I'M THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE JOB, AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.

I WILL TELL YOU, WHEN I WAS RUNNING IN THE SEVEN-WAY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR FOR THE NOMINATION, I GOT TOLD BY WOMEN AND A LOT OF MEN, WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE BEEN AROUND A WHILE.

WE NEED SOMEBODY NEW.

I WOULD GO, YOU KNOW WHAT, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TELLING WOMEN LIKE ME FOR YEARS AND DECADES, JUST A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE, AND THEN YOU ARE QUALIFIED, JUST A LITTLE MORE BACKGROUND, A LITTLE MORE EXPERTISE, AND YOU'LL BE QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR X, Y, AND Z.

WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, AND THEN I GOT CRITICIZED FOR HAVING THE EXPERIENCE.

SO THERE'S A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD.

I KNOW IN MAINE WE HAVE NEARLY 40% OF THE MAINE LEGISLATURE BEING WOMEN RIGHT NOW.

ONE OF THE FACTORS IN ALLOWING MORE WOMEN TO RUN IS WE HAVE PUBLIC FUNDING, A CLEAN ELECTIONS PROGRAM, AND SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SCOUR AROUND AND ASK A BUNCH OF CORPORATE INTERESTS AND LOBBYISTS FOR MONEY TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

YOU CAN ACHIEVE PUBLIC FUNDING WITH SMALL CONTRIBUTIONS.

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

CLEAN ELECTIONS PUTS THE PEOPLE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND IT MAKES DEMOCRACY WORK.

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

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

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

>> IN VERMONT, BECAUSE OF OUR POPULATION, WE HAVE ONE CONGRESSPERSON.

WE HAVE THIS ENORMOUS LEGISLATURE, AND THEN, BASICALLY, EVERYTHING AFTER THE LEGISLATURE IS A STATEWIDE RACE.

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

WOMEN DON'T 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, AND THAT IS DOABLE.

THIS IS A VERY OPEN, WELCOMING ACCESSIBLE BUILDING WHEN WE'RE NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, BUT WALK THE HALLS OF THIS BUILDING, AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE FOUR PICTURES OF WOMEN, AND THERE'S A LOT OF PICTURES IN THIS BUILDING.

♪ WHEN THE KIDS COME THROUGH HERE IN THEIR CLASSES AND THESE LITTLE KIDS LOOK AROUND AT THE PICTURES OF THE PEOPLE, IT'S ONLY THE BOYS IN THE CLASS THAT SORT OF SEE THEMSELVES IN SOME WAY REPRESENTED.

I HAVE A PAPER WEIGHT ON MY DESK THAT SAYS "GIRL BOSS," AND 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, YEAH, I AM.

THAT'S SO COOL!

AND SHE COULD SEE HERSELF THERE.

THAT'S CRITICAL TO MAKING SURE THAT GIRLS SEE WOMEN IN PLACES OF POWER, AND THEY KNOW THAT THAT'S AN OPTION FOR THEM.

I AM SO EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE 5th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONNECTICUT KID GOVERNOR PROGRAM.

>> EVERY YEAR, 5th GRADERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO GOVERNOR CANDIDATES WHO RUN ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE PLATFORM.

>> I WANT TO HELP KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE ANY BOOKS.

>> HI, I'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON CONNECTICUT HOMESCHOOLS, SPECIFICALLY WITH CHILDREN.

>> HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT CAUSES THEM TO THINK ABOUT SUICIDE.

>> KIDS AROUND THE STATE WILL CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR FIVE YEARS, AND EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, A 5th GRADE GIRL HAS BEEN SELECTED.

>> AND 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 THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT YOU'RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

>> AND THEN I JUST SAW KID GOVERNOR AS THE PERFECT CHANCE TO SHOW EVERYBODY JUST HOW GIRLS ARE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> VOTE ME FOR KID GOVERNOR, AND WE CAN MAKE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> WHEN I SEE THE LAST FIVE CONNECTICUT KID GOVERNORS, I KNOW THE FUTURE IS FEMALE, AND I'M VERY ENCOURAGED ABOUT OUR FUTURE.

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

WE'RE 51% OF THE POPULATION, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, HALF THE PEOPLE IN OUR ELECTED GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE WOMEN.

THEY'RE NOT.

WHY AREN'T THERE MORE WOMEN?

WELL, IT'S COMPLICATED.

WE GOT TO BE ADDRESSING THIS.

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

>> SIGNIFY BY SAYING "AYE"?

ALL OPPOSED?

THE AYES HAVE IT.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF SCULPTURES OF WHITE MEN ON THE FACE OF THE STATE CAPITOL WHO WERE GOVERNORS OF CONNECTICUT IN THE 1600s AND 1700s, AND THERE'S ONLY ONE STATUE OF A WOMAN ON THE FACE OF THE STATE CAPITOL, AND THAT'S ELLA GRASSO.

ELLA GRASSO PUT CONNECTICUT ON THE MAP IN 1974.

SHE MADE INTERNATIONAL NEWS BECAUSE SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR ELECTED IN HER OWN RIGHT IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THERE HAD BEEN TWO OTHER WOMEN WHO WERE GOVERNORS, BUT THEY FOLLOWED THEIR HUSBANDS INTO OFFICE, AND ELLA GRASSO WAS SPECIAL BECAUSE SHE DID IT ON HER OWN.

IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL IN THE EARLY 1970s TO HAVE ANY WOMEN IN THE ELECTED OFFICE.

SHE WAS SOMEONE WHO COULD BE EXTREMELY COMPASSIONATE AND COULD RELATE REALLY WELL TO PEOPLE, BUT IF SHE HAD TO, 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, AND 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 DON'T THINK THE WOODS ARE FULL OF CANDIDATES.

SHE ALSO, THOUGH, 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 THAT WE DO HAVE MANY WOMEN SERVING IN STATEWIDE OFFICE -- >> GO FORTH AND GOVERN.

>> IS BECAUSE WE ALL STAND ON ELLA GRASSO'S SHOULDERS.

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

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

EVER SINCE 1980, IT'S BEEN WOMEN THAT HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, AND I HOPE WOMEN ARE PAYING ATTENTION BECAUSE OUR DEMOCRACY IS LITERALLY ON THE BALLOT.

>> WE ARE TEN DAYS OUT FROM ELECTION DAY.

IT IS GOING REALLY WELL.

>> THANK YOU !

>> WE HAVE GREAT RESPONSES AT THE DOORS.

>> GOOD.

I'M YOUR STATE REP. >> OH.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> I THOUGHT, OH, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO TALK TO HER.

>> I'LL LEAVE IT ON YOUR DOOR.

I'M YOUR STATE REP. HI, I'M JUSTINE CALDWELL, I'M YOUR STATE REP, HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> I'M SEEING DEMOCRAT STUFF.

>> WELL, YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT.

>> I'M NOT A DEMOCRAT.

>> THAT'S WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS.

>> REALLY?

>> YES.

>> OUR CAMPAIGN HAS HAD SO MUCH POSITIVE ENERGY, AND WE ARE FEELING REALLY GOOD.

REALLY POSITIVE.

>> IF YOU GUYS NEED ANYTHING, CALL ME.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I KNOCK ON EVERY DOOR, REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION, SO YOU GET STUFF FROM ME NO MATTER WHAT PARTY YOU ARE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> WELL, I GO BOTH WAYS SOMETIMES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT MOST PEOPLE DO.

YEAH, I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU, HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> WE HAVE CANVASSED OVER HALF THE DISTRICT ALREADY.

>> WHAT'S THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF HOUSEHOLDS?

>> OH, GOSH, PROBABLY LIKE 3,000.

ANY BIG ISSUES ON YOUR MIND?

>> THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE IS TAXES !

>> TAXES, HA-HA.

HERE IN EAST GRENICH?

>> YES.

>> I WORKED WITH THE TOWN COUNSEL TO STABILIZE THE PROPERTY TAX RATE.

THIS PAST YEAR, WE PASSED A BILL SO THEY DO NOT RAISE IT MORE THAN 1%.

SO MANY PEOPLE IN EAST GRENICH ALREADY VOTED.

WHICH IS EXCITING.

I MEAN, I FEEL POSITIVE, BUT, YEAH, WORRIED, A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF STRESS ABOUT IT, I THINK.

THE LAST TIME AROUND, I WAS NOT THE INCUMBENT, AND IT WAS, LIKE, SUCH A LONG SHOT FROM THE BEGINNING, AND SO THIS TIME -- I DON'T KNOW, JUST A TOTALLY DIFFERENT FEELING.

>> DO YOU WANT TO WIN AS MUCH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MORE.

I'D LOVE YOUR SUPPORT, OBVIOUSLY, SO FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME.

YOU ARE A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT.

>> I AM.

>> I GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO RHODE ISLAND FOR THIS BECAUSE IT IS A SMALL COMMUNITY, A SMALL STATE, AND YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE THAT REALLY INSPIRE YOU.

WE HAD OUR FIRST WOMAN ELECTED GOVERNOR.

>> AN IMPORTANT NEW ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> AND I THINK IN THIS COVID PANDEMIC THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY SEEING, SHE HAS STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND LED THE STATE IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY.

SHE'S 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'VE NOT HAD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE, OR RECORD MOMENTS IN TERMS OF 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.

THEY HAVE ALL BEEN AREAS IN WHICH WOMEN HAVE BEEN EATING AWAY AT IN THE RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATURE.

>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE, SECRETARY, GOOD TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

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

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

I KNEW I WOULD BE THE FIRST HISPANIC ELECTED IN A STATEWIDE LEVEL, BUT IT WAS -- WHEN I WENT TO THE SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY SCHOOLS WITH MINORITY KIDS, I WOULD COME IN AND SPEAK ABOUT MY OWN BACKGROUND OR SAY A FEW WORDS IN SPANISH, AND SEE KIDS' FACES ABSOLUTELY LIGHT UP, THEN IT REALLY HIT ME HOW BIG A DEAL IT WAS.

>> IT IS TIME FOR A VERY SPECIAL VIRTUAL CEREMONY 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 JOIN US VIRTUALLY TONIGHT.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪ >> ON THE ONE HAND, YES, WE SHOULD CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF WHITE WOMEN HAVING THE RIGHT TO VOTE, BUT IT TOOK AN ADDITIONAL 50 YEARS FOR WOMAN OF COLOR TO GET THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> DON'T FORGET TO VOTE !

>> BE RIGHT THERE.

>> I'M EXCITED TO RUN FOR OFFICE BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE A VOICE OF MY COMMUNITY.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS RAISED ME.

I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AND MY FATHER SPENT 90% OF MY LIFE IN JAIL, AND MY MOTHER SUFFERED FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS, AND THIS COMMUNITY TOOK ME IN AT A TIME WHEN THEY COULD HAVE THROWN ME OUT, BUT THEY DECIDED I WAS WORTH MORE.

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

I HAD MY FIRST CHILD AT 19 YEARS OLD, AND SO FOR SOCIETY, IT WAS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON WELFARE.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ACHIEVE A LOT.

TO HAVE WOMEN WHO SHOWED ME THAT 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, YOU KNOW, STEREOTYPES BEHIND IT, AND IDEAS OF WHO I WAS, IF I WAS GOING TO BE LAZY, AND THAT WAS NEVER THE CASE.

I WENT TO SCHOOL FULL-TIME AT NIGHT, AND I WORKED FULL-TIME DURING THE DAY, AND SO, YOU KNOW, I REALLY HAD GREAT WOMEN WHO JUST TOLD ME, I NEEDED TO BE BETTER, AND SO GIVING BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY, IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

>> THE COMMUNITY, THAT IF YOU NEED SOMETHING, WE SHOW UP.

>> STEPHANIE'S BEEN EATING, SLEEPING, BREATHING, DREAMING THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF THE 12th SUFFOLK DISTRICT.

>> IN APRIL, WHEN I JUMPED IN THE RACE, I JUMPED IN LATE, BUT BEWERE BETTER TOGETHER, AND IT WAS FOCUSED ON THE CORONAVIRUS, AND HOW PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, AND NO ONE EXPECTED TO BE QUARANTINING IN THEIR HOMES.

I, MYSELF, MY HUSBAND AND I, HAVE A BLENDED FAMILY OF NINE CHILDREN, AND FOUR OF THE NINE WERE HOME WHEN SCHOOLS WERE CALLED OUT, AND WE HAVE A LOT MORE WOMEN LEAVING THE WORK FORCE BECAUSE OF COVID-19, AND THE CARETAKER ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE ALL STRUGGLING.

I THINK RIGHT NOW WE PULL TOGETHER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IT'S BEEN DIFFERENT.

WE ARE CREATIVE ON HOW WE COMMUNICATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND EVEN ZOOM.

>> REPRESENTED THAT YOU COULD BE BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL.

>> AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN, THERE'S A LOT OF STEREOTYPES I FACE ALL THE TIME.

I THINK BEFORE I EVEN ENTER A ROOM, THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION I'M AGGRESSIVE, ANGRY, AND DISAGREEABLE ON A LOT OF THINGS, WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

WOMEN, IF THEY DON'T GO ALONG WITH WHAT THEY ARE TOLD TO, THEY ARE CALLED SOMETHING, AND IT'S INSTEAD OF BEING CALLED BOLD AND POWERFUL.

THAT'S HOW WE NEED TO DESCRIBE WOMEN WHO STEP OUT IN THEIR TRUE POWER AND WANT TO STEP OUT AND REPRESENT ANY COMMUNITY.

WE SHOULD NOT SEE IT AS NEGATIVE, BUT AN INSPIRATION AS WHAT WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO LOOK AT.

>> HER STRENGTH, A MOTHER OF SEVERAL KIDS IN A BIG BLENDED FAMILY, IT 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 TO JUST BE A CARETAKER.

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

YOU SEE WHEN WOMEN TAKE THESE POSITIONS, ISSUES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RAISED BEFORE BECOME ISSUES, AND THEY BECOME NATIONAL ISSUES, AND THEY BECOME MOVEMENTS THAT OTHER WOMEN LATCH ON TO AND WANT TO RUN JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE SO INSPIRED BY SOMEONE ELSE'S MOVEMENT.

I THINK THE NUMBERS ARE LOW FOR WOMEN OF COLOR SEEKING OFFICE BECAUSE TRADITIONALLY, WE'RE STILL NEW IN TO THIS, AND BLACK COMMUNITIES, WE ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE FAMILY.

>> THIS IS MY FAMILY.

>> WE HAVE TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR SPOUSES, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, AND WE TAKE THAT JOB VERY SERIOUSLY.

TO BE THE PERSON WHO MOVES THE FAMILY CLOSER TO THEIR GOALS AND OFTENTIMES, WE ARE DEALING WITH OTHER BIGGER THINGS IN OUR FAMILIES, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE JUST DON'T THINK ABOUT THIS AS BEING A NATURAL STEP.

>> I ENTERED THIS RACE VERY UNSURE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON, GIVEN WE WERE IN COVID, WE CAME OUT WITH THE MODEL BEING BETTER TOGETHER.

>> BUT BEING ABLE TO VOTE GETS US CLOSER.

BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR VOICES ARE HEARD.

>> OKAY.

LET'S DO THIS.

OKAY.

IT'S OFFICIAL.

>> WE NEED MORE OF OUR VOICES AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET THERE IS BY TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT YOU ARE, HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE, AND HOW MUCH YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED.

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

>> DON'T FORGET TO VOTE !

>> A FEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD KNOWN AS "THE HEIGHTS," A MIX OF NEW, YOUNG FAMILIES, IMMIGRANTS, AND LONG-TIME RESIDENTS.

SHE'S KNOCKING ON DOORS AND LEAVING BEHIND FLIERS THAT SAY SHE'LL HELP BRING A NEW GENERATION TO THE STATE HOUSE.

27, A MOM TO TWO DAUGHTERS, AND PREGNANT WITH HER THIRD, A RELATIVELY NEW U.S. CITIZEN.

SHE MOVED TO THE STATES AT 16 AFTER TEN YEARS IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN UZBEKISTAN AFTER ESCAPING THE TALIBAN AT JUST 6.

>> WHEN I GOT CITIZENSHIP BACK IN 2013 AND, IMMEDIATELY, WHEN I HELD THAT CERTIFICATE THAT I WAS A U.S. CITIZEN, SOMETHING CLICKED IN MY HEAD, LIKE, I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS.

WHEN HILLARY CLINTON RAN IN 2016, I KNEW THAT 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 SO MANY DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES FOR MYSELF, BUT NOT KNOWING ENGLISH MADE IT SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

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

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SAY "HI" TO PEOPLE.

A FRIENDS OF MINE GOT ME AN ENGLISH DICTIONARY, AND 2018 OF SEPTEMBER, I WAS A WHOLE NEW PERSON.

MY VOCABULARY INCREASED.

I WAS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE.

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

I DID FACE SOME CHALLENGES, SOME DIFFICULT MOMENTS.

MY OPPONENTS USED ME AS BEING A FEMALE MOTHER, PREGNANT, SAYING I'M A MOM, HOW CAN I BE HANDLING AND RAISING MY OWN KIDS AND BEING PART OF THE POLITICS?

>> DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE, THEN, THOUGH, TO DO IT ALL?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE MEAN BY "DO IT ALL."

I DON'T DO IT ALL.

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

I LIVED MANY OF THE BIG 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, AND% THEN MY TWINS WERE BORN PRETTY FAMOUSLY, 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, FRANKLY, GENDER BIAS, BUT I PROBABLY OVERINTERPRETTED 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 DON'T RUN AS OFTEN AS MEN.

ONE OF THE REASONS IS THERE'S AN AMBITION GAP.

WOMEN DON'T SEE THEMSELVES IN PUBLIC OFFICE AS OFTEN, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY THE CASE IN A LOT OF PROFESSIONS, AND SO WE NEED ROLE MODELS.

WE NEED THOSE YOUNG WOMEN TO BE ENCOURAGED TO RUN.

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

MY REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS USED ME BEING MUSLIM.

HE USED THAT AGAINST ME.

YOU KNOW, I JUST FOCUSED ON RUNNING TO MAKE THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE BETTER.

THEY SAW SOME VISION IN ME THAT I COULD REPRESENT THEM WELL.

MY ELECTION NIGHT, IN 2018, I WAS SPEECHLESS.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

I WAS IN SHOCK AND IN TEARS, BUT AFTER THAT, I REALIZED THAT I WON.

I WAS, LIKE, OH, MY GOSH, THIS IS REALITY.

AND I THINK I HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF IT.

THE ISSUES THAT WERE WORKED ON AFFECTS EVERYBODY'S LIFE, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

AS YOU MIGHT KNOW THAT NEW HAMPSHIRE, IT IS AN AGING POPULATION, AND SO WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG GENERATION THAT STICKS AROUND HERE.

WHATEVER I DO WILL BENEFIT THE YOUNGER POPULATION.

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

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

SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE, BUT IT JUST KNOWING THAT I HAVE AFFECTED SOMEONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD IN A POSITIVE WAY, THAT SHE LOOKS UP, AND, LIKE, SHE'S SO PROUD OF HER MOM DOING SOMETHING GOOD, AND THAT'S 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 THAT WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S ULTIMATELY GOING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE.

>> MAYBE 1.5% OF ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE COUNTRY ARE YOUNG WOMEN.

WOMEN UNDER THE AGE OF 35.

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

NOW, WHO DO THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN CONGRESS LIKE TO MAKE THE MOST LAWS ABOUT?

YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR BODIES.

SO IF WE HAVE SO A FEW YOUNG WOMEN IN POLITICS, THEN WE'RE NEVER GOING TO CHANGE THE FACE OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE AGENDA THAT NEEDS TO BE REPRESENTED IN WASHINGTON.

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

WHEN I FIRST GOT TO THE LEGISLATURE, I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING MY LEGISLATIVE IDENTIFICATION, AND I WAS IN LINE WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER LEGISLATORS, AND THE PEOPLE MAKING THE ID CARDS KEPT INSISTING, THIS IS JUST FOR LEGISLATORS.

THERE I WAS, A 22-YEAR-OLD WOMAN OF COLOR SAYING, KNOW, I'M A LET FOR, AN I NEED TO GET MY ID.

IT TOOK A LONG TIME.

I HAD TO SIGN EXTRA PAPERWORK.

I WENT BACK TO THE CHAIRWOMAN, AND SHE SAID, DO YOU THINK THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE YOUNG, A WOMAN, OR A PERSON THE COLOR?

I SAID, I THINK IT'S 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 TO NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND WE ALWAYS GIVE NEW HAMPSHIRE A HARD TIME, AND YET THEY HAVE CONSISTENTLY SENT WOMEN TO WASHINGTON, AND WE NEVER SENT A WOMAN TO WASHINGTON.

>> TO GIVE AN AMAZING ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE NEXT SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, GOVERNOR MARGARET WOOD.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> JEAN AND MAGGIE, GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BEFORE BECOMING SENATORS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THAT'S HAPPENED IN AMERICAN HISTORY, TWO WOMEN, BOTH GOVERNORS, SAME STATE, MAKING UP THE SENATE DELEGATIONS.

PRETTY COOL.

>> EARLY IN MY FIRST TERM, I PLACED A CALL TO A STATE SENATOR NAMED DAVID PIERS, AND HE CALLED ME BACK LATER AND SAID, GOVERNOR, MY DAUGHTERS, WHO WERE WITH ME, SAW THAT IT WAS YOU, AND ONE OF THEM SAID, DAD, DO YOU THINK ABOUT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR?

HE SAID, YEAH, SOMETIMES I DO, BUT, GIRLS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

AND ONE OF THEM SAID, WELL, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T THINK SO, DAD.

HE SAID, WELL, REALLY, WHY NOT?

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

[LAUGHTER] >> WELL, I CERTAINLY REMEMBER THE STORY BECAUSE I WAS AT THE TIME OF THE PHONE CALL IN QUESTION, 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, AND THAT WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY, AS I LOOKED AROUND REALIZING THAT THIS WAS NOT A TYPICAL REPRESENTATION BY GENDER AT AN INAUGURAL CEREMONY FOR A NEW GOVERNOR, AND THAT SAID A LOT ABOUT OUR PROGRESS.

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

>> AS I TALKED TO THE MAYORS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE -- >> I, OF COURSE, FOLLOWED IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE ELECTED GOVERNOR AND SENATOR IN THE COUNTRY, JEAN SHAHINE, FIRST FEMALE ELECTED GOVERNOR IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

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

>> ONCE JEAN DID IT -- >> WELL, THANK YOU, SENATOR.

>> IT DIDN'T REALLY BECOME A NOVEL THING THAT I WAS RUNNING FOR STATE SENATE OR RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, AND NOW SERVING AS A U.S.

SENATOR.

>> I'M WITH THE GOVERNOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> WHEN I RAN FOR GOVERNOR IN-1S ONLY THE NINTH WOMAN GOVERNOR ELECTED IN MY OWN RIGHT IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY, AND SO IT WAS STILL A RELATIVELY NEW PHENOMENA.

IT WAS ALWAYS INTERESTING TO ME WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, PEOPLE USED TO SAY TO ME, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR?

MY RESPONSE WAS ALWAYS, WELL, I DON'T KNOW, BECAUSE I'VE NEVER BEEN A MAN GOVERNOR, AND SO YOU HAVE TO TRY TO KEEP PEOPLE FOCUSED ON WHAT YOU TRY TO DO OPPOSED TO GENDER.

>> THIS EFFORT TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS AN ATTACK ON WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

>> ONCE I GOT ELECTED, I THOUGHT, WELL, BROKE THAT GLASS CEILING, AND NOW I'M GOVERNOR, PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND AND ENGAGE WITH ME IN THE WAY THEY ENGAGE WITH GOVERNORS.

I THINK THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT BECAUSE I WAS A WOMAN, THEY COULD PUSH ME AROUND.

THEY SUGGESTED I DID NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING.

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

>> THERE'S STILL SOME OF THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT USED TO HAVING WOMEN, PARTICULARLY IN EXECUTIVE POSITIONS.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I HOPE THE COMMITTEE ASKS THE VERY TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

>> MOST WOMEN GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS OVER A CAUSE, OVER SOMETHING THEY BELIEVE IN, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

IT IS GOING TO BE GOOD FOR OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM.

WE NEED MORE OF THAT.

THERE'S SO MUCH TALENT OUT THERE.

WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> SO, AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO ROLE MODELS MATTER.

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

>> THANK YOU, ALL.

>> THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY.

>> THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S RADIO, ELECTION DAY, 2020, AND UP NEXT, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATIVE RACES TO BE DECIDED BY THE VOTERS.

>> JUSTINE IS TRAILING IN THE ELECTION DAY RETURNS.

THIS IS EVERYTHING THAT WAS CAST TODAY.

WE NEED TO MAKE UP A LOT OF GROUND.

EARLY VOTES AROUND 10:00 AND MAIL-IN VOTES AT 11:00.

A LONG NIGHT WAITING FOR THOSE WITH THE DIFFICULT NUMBERS ON THE SCOREBOARD WHILE WE WAIT.

THIS IS PRETTY HIGH STAKES FOR HER.

SHE SACRIFICED A LOT TO BE IN THIS POSITION SO SHE'S, UNDERSTANDABLY, STRESSED OUT ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S GOING EXACTLY AS ANTICIPATED THAT ANTHONY IS UP, AS OF ARE ALL REPUBLICANS IN MOST OF THE RACES THROUGHOUT THE CITIES AND TOWNS.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN.

IT IS STRESSFUL TO WAIT.

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

>> WE HAVE BEEN NOW AROUND THE LEGISLATOR FOR A COUPLE YEARS BECAUSE OF JUSTINE BEING ELECTED, AND SO WE WATCH PEOPLE LOSE, AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF THEM, VERY DIFFICULT.

SO, YEAH, I'M SURE IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT, AND THEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT.

10:10.

NOTHING YET.

>> OKAY.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GO FOR A WALK?

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

>> NOTHING.

NOTHING.

I THOUGHT I SAW A NUMBER CHANGE, BUT THAT WAS AN ILLUSION.

NOTHING.

WE'RE NOT REALLY GOING TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON UNTIL THE MALL BALLOTS ARE IN.

>> I CAN'T DO THAT.

I CAN'T SIT HERE WAITING.

IT IS TORTURE.

I CAN'T STAY UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT UP DOING THIS.

I'M PUTTING MY PJs ON.

WHAT WAS THAT?

>> SOMEONE FACEBOOKED US.

[LAUGHTER] ♪ >> WELL, WE ARE HERE ON THIS DAY WITH SO MUCH, WITH SO MUCH LOVE, AND LOVE IS THE RIGHT WORD.

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

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK, AND THAT EVERYONE IS PRESENT.

>> THERE WAS A MEETING BEFORE THE MEETING, AND YOUR TURN'S GONE, AND 2020, IT IS OUR TURN.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪ ♪ >> Announcer: THIS FILM WAS FUNDED IN PART BY THE BARBARA LEE FAMILY FOUNDATION.

>> Announcer: VERMONT PBS, PARTNERING WITH LOCAL FILMMAKERS TO BRING YOU STORIES MADE HERE.

FOR MORE, VISIT VERMONTPBS.ORG.