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When Democratic lawmaker Elizabeth Bennett-Parker made the almost two-hour drive last spring to the Virginia state Capitol for a legislative session, she insisted her husband come with her – in case she went into labor. Although it was only a month until her due date, staying home wasn’t an option. Now, she’s trying to change that. 

Moms in government across the country are advocating for more help like on-site day care, higher wages, and campaign funding for child care. According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, 48% of American women say family duties are a “major reason” there are fewer women than men in high political office.  

Why We Wrote This

Mothers in public office can weigh in constructively on new laws that affect women, children, and families. Some of them are trying to make government service more family-friendly in the first place.

Mothers like Ms. Bennett-Parker make up 18% of the U.S. population, but only 7% of those serving in Congress, and even fewer in state governments. 

Liuba Grechen Shirley founded Vote Mama, a mothers-in-government advocacy group, in 2018 after she lost her New York congressional race. Since then, her organization has worked to legalize campaign funding for child care in 29 states – and saw use of those funds increase by 2,156% between 2018 and 2022. 

For Kentucky representative Lindsey Burke, knowing she can pass laws that might benefit her son makes the challenges worth it. “Being a mother is the reason I’ve chosen to stay in government.” 

When Democratic lawmaker Elizabeth Bennett-Parker made the almost two-hour drive last spring to the Virginia state Capitol for a legislative session, she insisted her husband come with her – in case she went into labor. Although it was only a month until her due date, staying home wasn’t an option. A positive COVID-19 test would have allowed her to participate online, but early labor wouldn’t cut it.   

Now, she’s trying to change that. 

“A 405-year-old institution should occasionally examine itself,” she said in a speech on the Virginia House floor, in which she proposed a commission to modernize the legislature, including expanding options for remote voting. 

Why We Wrote This

Mothers in public office can weigh in constructively on new laws that affect women, children, and families. Some of them are trying to make government service more family-friendly in the first place.

Women like Ms. Bennett-Parker with minor-age children make up 18% of the U.S. population but only 7% of those in Congress and an even lower share of those serving in state legislatures. By contrast, 1 in 4 members of Congress are fathers of minors. According to a Pew Research Center poll last year, nearly half of American women point to family duties as a “major reason” there are fewer women than men in high political office.

To change that dynamic, female legislators across the country are advocating for policies like on-site day care, higher wages, and the ability to use campaign funds for child care — policies they say will allow more mothers to make their voices heard in government.

“The more we talk about these issues and the things that hold women back both from running and serving, the more we start to normalize what it looks like to be a mom running and serving,” says Liuba Grechen Shirley, founder and CEO of Vote Mama, a mothers-in-government advocacy group based in New York City. 

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