(WASHINGTON, DC) –A delegation of U.S. elected women from across the nation selected by the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State served as official Election Observers in Baghdad yesterday.

The NFWL Delegation released the following statement:

We were honored to bear witness to the Iraqi People’s fearless determination to exercise their right to vote, even in the wake of violence and bombs aimed at disrupting the election.  We met a brave woman who assured us, “I voted today as a challenge to the terrorists!”  She told us that violent attempts to scare Iraqis would only encourage more people like her to get out and vote.  We witnessed a determined man named Ahmed bring his wife and 2 daughters ages 2 and 4 to vote.  He was eager to tell us that, “For 30 years, we lived under Saddam’s dictatorship without the freedoms we’re voting for today.  Even though there are bombs and violence, and people will die trying to vote today, the people of Iraq will vote because we see it as a tax for freedom that we are willing to pay for with our lives.  We are on a train to freedom and my family and I will do our part in making sure we don’t come off that freedom track.” In the face of death and violence, yesterday [March 7th] the National Foundation for Women Legislators proudly stood with courageous Iraqi voters as they cast their votes for democracy.


·         State Representative Debbie Riddle (R-Houston, Texas), Chairman Elect NFWL

·         State Representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-St. Louis, Missouri)

·         State Representative Bette Grande (R-Fargo, North Dakota)

·         State Representative Gayle Harrell (R-Port St. Lucie, Florida)

·         State Representative Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington, Delaware)

·         State Representative Susana A. Mendoza (D-Chicago, Illinois)

·         State Representative Diane Winston (R-Covington, Louisiana)

NFWL is one of only two groups of Americans that were invited to oversee Iraq’s election on March 7th.  The other group includes former Members of Congress.

NFWL has been asked to participate in the Iraqi elections due to the unique status of women in Iraq. There are over one million widows in Iraq, many very highly educated, and there is a requirement that 25% of the candidates on the ballot be women. NFWL is charged with bringing a calm and credible presence to the elections, and women leaders such as the hearty band of 7 women leaders representing NFWL recognize the importance of free and fair elections to the stability of Iraq and the United States’ national security.

The women leaders were invited to join this delegation to lend their integrity and experience to a process that is new to the citizens of Iraq, and graciously answered the call.

“These incredible women have shown themselves to be strong leaders through NFWL and I know their presence in Iraq during this historic time will ensure the Iraqi people have a real chance at Democracy,” stated Robin Read, NFWL’s President and CEO.

NFWL has been invited by the U.S. Department of State and foreign nations to bring delegations of elected women together to monitor elections, mentor women leaders across the globe, and participate in important dialogues concerning free trade and other vital issues on several occasions starting in 1993.

“There is a sense expressed by our elected women that Iraq is an incredibly important place to reach out, not only because of the United States’ current relationship with the country but also due to women in Iraq traditionally having enjoyed a unique level of education and public visibility.” stated Read. “We see a wonderful opportunity to empower and support women in public leadership in Iraq.”