EMILY’s List: It Makes the Dough Rise
This organization supporting pro-choice Democratic women is igniting progressive change
By Emily Ficker
The Progressive Teen Staff Writer
TO MANY, DONALD TRUMP’S ELECTION TO THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN OUR COUNTRY was a question — and resistance was the clear answer. Of all the November 9th think pieces attempting to rationalize the future of the Democratic party, the common denominator laid in resistance. Resistance is anything from attending a demonstration to donating to a worthy cause or to voting. Resistance is any act that balances the voice of power.
In 1985, far before this election cycle’s results came in, EMILY’s List aimed to balance the voice of power by ensuring electoral victories for Democratic women. EMILY’s List candidates were women, that, simply put, got stuff done. Tired of ineffective politicians that didn’t represent them, Barbara Boxer, Ann Richards, Anne Wexler, and Donna Shalala met in the home of founder Ellen Malcom, rolodexes in hand and ready to find a solution. Thus, EMILY’s List was born.
The women’s primary mission was to elect pro-choice women into public office, and their strategy was EMILY: Early Money Is Like Yeast (it makes the dough rise). The saying alludes to a convention of the political fundraising strategy that emphasizes the consequence of early donations, as they typically attract subsequent donors. Political action committee spending can be touchy subject, so, like time, the priorities of EMILY’s List have changed. Today, EMILY’s List is more than a PAC; they are the driving force behind campaign victories that elevate the decision-making power of pro-choice women.
EMILY’s List’s first candidate was Barbara Mikulski, a state legislator from Maryland. At the time of her run, Mikulski was widely respected on all sides for her empowerment of ethnic Americans. With help from EMILY’s List fundraising, Mikulski became the first Democratic woman elected to the U.S. Senate in her own right. Today, she currently holds the title of longest-serving woman in the history of the United States Congress. By 1991, EMILY’s List had made a name for themselves, gaining respect and recognition for their political influence and grassroots values. By 1992, dubbed the “Year of the Woman,” EMILY’s List helped elect four new women to the U.S. Senate and 20 to Congress at a 23,000 contributing members strong.
As an official Political Action Committee, EMILY’s List achieves its victories by cultivating a network of donors. In 2016, EMILY’s List was on track to raise $60 million for Democratic women, most of it going toward presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The organization is also noted for endorsing and funding candidates Tammy Duckworth, Kamala Harris, and Catherine Cortez Masto. EMILY’s List receives its profound support from their majority council, members, monthly-donors (“Friends of EMILY”), legacy fund, and gift memberships. To be an official EMILY’s List member, an individual must donate $100 and pledge to donate a minimum of $100 to two U.S. House, U.S. Senate, or gubernatorial candidates.
Under a Trump presidency, organizations like EMILY’s List hold a great deal of responsibility for mobilizing strong, female candidates. Donations to EMILY’s List and similar organizations have skyrocketed since President Trump took office. Americans are quite literally investing in the future of their country, and it raises the question: how much does it cost to equalize the playing field?
