October 7, 2015
Contact: Lilia Chacón

Over 400 'Women for Bernie' in Iowa Endorse Sanders

DES MOINES, Iowa — In a show of organizational and political strength, Bernie 2016 announced the backing of 406 women publicly supporting Bernie Sanders in Iowa, thus becoming the first presidential campaign with at least two women endorsing from each of the state's 99 counties.

"Moms, teachers, business owners, activists, students, union members — women from across Iowa and all walks of life are standing side-by-side with Bernie Sanders," said former State Senator Bev Hannon, who represented Jones, Cedar, and part of Linn County. "Bernie's decades-long, consistent record of fighting for women's rights, income equality and educational opportunities are the driving force behind his flourishing grassroots movement to win the Democratic nomination."

The broad coalition of endorsers include several current and former Democratic party county chairs: Charlene Doyle (Poweshiek co-chair), Nancy Duitscher (Wright chair), Laura Hubka (Howard chair), Crystal Kayser (former Jones chair), Marian Kuper (former Hardin chair), Stephanie Schwinn (Bremer chair), Carol Smith (Union co-chair), and Deb Stehr (former Sac chair).

Women for Bernie spoke out on a broad range of issues driving their support for Sanders:

"Bernie represents what concerns most of us in Iowa. He is in touch with the middle class, which has been forgotten for far too many years..." — Beth Langford, retired teacher, Estherville

"Bernie is just the person we need. He is going to help put [American] women on par with other countries who already have the right to guaranteed maternity leave; to choose what is best for them in terms of reproductive rights... Bernie is what America needs!" — Shelby Kempf, Williamsburg

"Bernie knows 'Black Lives Matter.'" — Tahmyrah Lytle, student, Mason City

"[Bernie] has been fighting for decades for low income, middle class, minorities, veterans, and the LGBTQ community. He is a true progressive and has been 100% consistent [his] whole career. What makes him stand out among all the other candidates is that he's in the pockets of the people, not the 1%." — Angelica Guerrero, Custom Care Coordinator, Waterloo

"I TRUST Bernie Sanders. I appreciate his candor, his integrity and his unwavering conviction. I believe his policies WILL transform these United States and lay the foundation of a better future for our nation — a better world for my son." — Jana Debrower, business owner, Marion

"He's honest, unscripted, brave, fierce, and I love him!" — Maggie Zaborsky, Council Bluffs

"Bring on the political revolution!" — Mary Rose Shelley, Des Moines

Click here for a full list of Women for Bernie by county.

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Bernie Sanders is calling for a political revolution. He has fought tirelessly for women’s rights, women’s pay equity, reproductive freedom, and paid maternity leave.