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Wisconsin's Pro-Life Women: Majority of Legislators Support Pro-Life Position
PLW Letterhead

Wednesday, January 15, 2003


Contact: Peggy Hamill, State Director, or Katherine Ribnek, Communications Director, (262) 796-1111
Mary Matuska, Legislative Director, (608) 201-8059

Wisconsin’s Pro-Life Women:
Majority of Legislators Support Pro-Life Position


The majority of women serving in the State Legislature during the 2003-04 session are strong supporters of the pro-life position, Pro-Life Wisconsin announced today.

In the State Assembly, Pro-Life Wisconsin estimates that 16 of the body’s 27 female legislators support the pro-life position, while 4 of the 8 female state senators are solidly pro-life.

“These results shatter the pro-abortion myth that pro-life women can’t succeed in elected office,” said Mary Matuska, legislative director of Pro-Life Wisconsin. “These numbers clearly show that a substantial majority -- 57 percent -- of the women in the State Legislature are reliable votes in support of protecting preborn babies.”

Matuska noted that while pro-life women have long been leaders in the State Assembly, the past election saw their influence grow in the State Senate with the election of Cathy Stepp (R-Yorkville) and two other factors -- the retirement of pro-abortion Republican Joanne Huelsman and the departure of pro-abortion Republican Peggy Rosenzweig, who was defeated by 100% pro-life Republican Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis).

“With newly-elected pro-life women like Reps. Becky Weber (R-Green Bay) and Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) joining the ranks of tireless pro-life heroes like Reps. Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg), Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh) and Lorraine Serrati (R-Town of Florence) and Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), we’re confident that solid pro-life legislation will become a reality this session,” said Matuska.