Governor Gregoire Honored on International Women�s Day
For Immediate Release: March 8, 2007
Gregoire-appointees include 44.6% women - more than any other U.S. governor in history
OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today was recognized by the Center for Women and Democracy (CWD) for her work supporting and on behalf of women in Washington and across the country. She was honored as part of International Women�s Day celebrations by CWD, which supports women�s leadership all over the world.
Governor Gregoire has appointed more women to her Cabinet than any other Governor in the country. Of the 29 positions on her Executive Cabinet, women hold 14.
In addition to the 48.2% of her Cabinet that are women, Governor Gregoire has appointed 566 women (43.2%) to the 1,309 board and commission openings she has filled since taking office in January, 2005 and has named women to 42.4% of the top policy posts in the Governor�s Office.
These appointments mean that Governor Gregoire has appointed women to serve in 44.6% of Governor-appointed positions, more than any other U.S. governor in the country at any time in history.*
Washington women have achieved many firsts: In 2005, Washington became the first state where the top federal and state elected positions were women (U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Governor Gregoire); It is also the first state to reach 40% women�s representation in the legislature, though Washington now has slipped back to 33.3%, tying for third best in the country.
�I am very proud to be a woman from Washington and honored to be surrounded by so many other intelligent, caring and exceptional women,� said Governor Gregoire. �These are exciting numbers. However, I will be even more proud the day that numbers like this are not news.�
�Women in Washington have always been leaders in the political process, but Governor Gregoire�s accomplishment of having appointed more women to her cabinet, her boards and commissions and her policy staff is a great way to Kick Up Our Heels on this International Women�s Day. No governor, male or female, has ever done more for women appointments in this country,� said Darlene Madenwald, president of the CWD.
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*Calculations are based on international standards for participation by women in government. Executive Cabinet, Senior Policy and Boards and Commissions positions are weighted differently.
