Feminist Majority Endorses Kathleen Matthews For Congress for Maryland’s 8th District

The Feminist Majority, a leading national women’s rights organization, endorses Kathleen Matthews for U.S. Congress for Maryland’s 8th District, an open seat vacated by Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who is running for the U.S. Senate.  Matthews is a strong advocate for reproductive rights and health care including a women’s right to access safe and legal abortion and birth control, closing the wage gap for women, and ending violence against women. Matthews is well known in the 8th district and the greater DC area as a 25-year former anchor and reporter for WJLA ABC 7.

“Matthews will be more than just a vote for women rights.  She will be a strong champion who will seek to end the Republican attacks on a women’s rights and will fend off the vitriolic attacks on Planned Parenthood.  What’s more she will work to gain economic equality for women and working families,” explained Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority.

“I have known Kathleen since my days as president of the National Organization for Women and her days as a news anchor and reporter at WJLA ABC 7, as well as the host of the nationally syndicated “Working Women” show. She was then, and is now, a strong advocate for working women and children, health care, and equality in the workplace,” continued Smeal.

After 30 years in journalism, Matthews joined Marriott International as its Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer.  At Marriott she was co-chair of its Green Council and was a member of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Council where she worked for equality for women, members of the LGBTQ community, and minorities. A graduate of Stanford University and a 2004 fellow at the Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Matthews has served on the boards of many local non-profits including Suited for Change and Girls Scouts of America.Matthews is featured on the Feminist Majority Political Action Committee’s

Matthews is featured on the Feminist Majority Political Action Committee’s website.  She has taken strong positions on a range of key issues. She is an advocate for passing the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Equal Rights Amendment, paid Family Medical Leave, LGBTQ equality and passing the Equality Act. Matthews has a detailed plan to prevent gun violence which includes universal background checks for gun and ammunition purchases with seven day waiting periods, and banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines. She is an advocate for universal pre-K as well as college affordability and free community college for qualified students.

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