Former Democratic Exec Sounds Off on State of Women in NYS Government in Empire Page Interview

Related Media

Judith H. Hope

ALBANY, NY (07/20/2009)(readMedia)-- For a state with such a progressive history, New York isn't doing very well in terms of the participation of women in politics according to Judith H. Hope, founder of the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee and former executive director of the NYS Democratic Committee. Hope commented on that and other topics in an interview posted today on the Empire Page website.

Hope does not favor open primaries and feels the state's election laws are liberal enough to allow people who want to run for office to do so.

"The role of excessive money in politics seems to be one of those problems that elude a neat solution," Hope stated when asked about the role of money and politics. "Every potential solution triggers another potential injustice," she argued.

Hope's passion these days, however, is directed at encouraging women to participate in politics. "It's dismaying to me that New York State has such a mediocre record of women in politics and government," she stated. The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee raises funds to help elect women to state and local offices, provides political training and leadership development, and has established a statewide network of women community leaders, elected officials, and grassroots activists.

The entire interview with Judith Hope is available in the Improving New York section of The Empire Page.

The Empire Page is published by PoliticalNewsToday.com, LLC, which seeks to provide information and opinion on the key issues of the day through websites that aggregate news and opinion and provide useful content for people active in government and politics. The partnership consists of Peter G. Pollak, who is the majority shareholder and actively manages the company, Schwartz-Heslin Group and Wynantskill Capital.