Research Shows Business Women Support Hillary Clinton For President

Recently-compiled research reveals that women entrepreneurs want Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) May 5, 2008 -- CNN, MSNBC and others have long reported that Hillary Clinton boasts an arsenal of white female supporters who are fueling her continued success in primaries around the nation. However, according to a recent report by the National Association of Business Women and Moms (NABWM), among those fervent females vying for her nomination are business women of all ethnicities.

The research also reveals that women in the upper echelon of business are pulling out their checkbooks to garner more funds for the Clinton campaign.

Women account for 40 percent of Clinton's "bundlers"--the top fund-raises who pull in donations from others. Oxygen's former chief executive, Ms. Laybourne, hosted a cocktail party in her Manhattan apartment for women in media, including Diane Robina, president of emerging networks for Comcast Corp. and Sara Levinson, a publishing-unit heard at Rodale Inc.

"There's a sisterhood solidarity going on here," says Ms. Caputo, who served as press secretary for Clinton when she was First Lady.

Clinton's financial transparency is also lending her credibility and building trust among female voters. According to the article "How Voters May React to the Clintons' $109 Million Income," American voters don't begrudge wealthy candidates their money because many aspire to wealth themselves.

"The Clintons' have now made public 30 years of tax returns, a record matched by few people in public service, said Clinton campaign spokesman Jay Carson in a statement. "None of Hillary Clinton's presidential opponents have revealed anything close to this amount of personal financial information."

Clinton also scored endorsements from high-profile women's political organizations, including Emily's List and the National Organization for Women, which laud her efforts to champion for women's rights. The National Organization of Women (NOW) endorsed Clinton for her demonstrated commitment to protecting women's right to choose. Clinton has expanded access to family planning services and spoke out forcefully against the Supreme Court's April 2007 decision that failed to recognize the importance of women's health. According to NOW's website, Clinton has "eloquently articulated the need for full economic, political and social equality for workers to advance the civil and human rights of women and girls".

Gender is not the only reason many of America's women are actively endorsing the female candidate. Clinton's policy positions on labor, education, healthcare and work-life balance are driving business women to support her campaign. Today, despite the progress women have made toward equality, they earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn, with women of color earning even less.

Clinton has long been a champion for equal pay for women. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, of which Senator Clinton is an original cosponsor, would reestablish a fair rule for filing claims of pay discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability.

"We thought we had ended discrimination in the workplace against women when the Equal Pay Act was passed all those years ago," said Clinton. "But clearly, we have not finished the business of guaranteeing equality in the workplace: fair and equal pay for those who do the same jobs."

Clinton also introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would take critical steps to empower women to negotiate for equal pay, to create strong incentive for employers to obey the Equal Pay Act and to strengthen federal enforcement efforts.

Clinton's plan for preparing America's youth for jobs of tomorrow includes more science, education and innovation that she says "must begin before kindergarten and extend through college, and a lifetime retraining." According to the organization Business Women for Hillary, this is important "for one of our biggest challenges in business--hiring qualified employees."

Clinton's plans for affordable and accessible healthcare are also attracting businesswomen, especially small business owners. While small businesses are an engine of job growth, they face many challenges when it comes to providing healthcare for their employees. Clinton's proposal would give tax credits to small businesses that provide healthcare to their workers to help defray their coverage costs.

Many women still assume the responsibility of primary caretaker for their children and elderly parents. For these working women juggling many responsibilities, Clinton's plans to help families achieve a better work-life balance are especially appealing. She also plans to extend the Family Medical Leave Act, which enables new parents to take time off without loosing their jobs.

"With sound policies and sensible investments, we can give parents more choices to make the decisions that are best for them," Clinton said. "We can make life a little easier for everyone-for mothers and fathers-to do the most important job there is in any society: raising and nurturing the next generation."

Clinton also promotes telecommuting by encouraging its use at federal agencies and planning to invest up to $50 million annually in local and state initiatives. Telecommuting provides flexibility for employees and allows employers to reduce increasing office space demands.

If Clinton clinches the Democratic nomination in August, women--especially women in business-- will be largely to thank.

The National Association of Business Women and Moms (NABWM) is an online initiative to help business women become successful. Their organization provides extensive research about business women and professional women in the workplace, and a free directory of home business ideas. For more details, visit http://www.businesswomen.org

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