No one ever told Debbie Wasserman Schultz that she was unequal to the boys with whom she grew up or that there was anything she couldn't achieve. She also was never told that she couldn't have it all—a successful political career, marriage and a family—before the age of 35.
So at the age of 26, she was the youngest-ever woman to run and be elected to the Florida State Legislature, and just over a decade later, she became the first Jewish woman to represent Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Two years later, in December 2006, she was appointed deputy chief whip of the historic 110th Congress by Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House. On its first day in session, the House Committee on Appropriations recommended that Rep. Wasserman Schultz serve as a "Cardinal," chairing the powerful Legislative Branch Subcommittee.
"The 'glass ceiling' is being broken by women, but sometimes it feels as if we're chipping away at it with an ice pick," said Wasserman Schultz, who recently delivered the keynote address for the Library's 2007 Women's History Month celebration. This year's national theme is "Generations of Women Moving History Forward."
The 110th Congress has a record number of female members (90), but, as Wasserman Schultz noted, that is only 17 percent of the nation's representative body.
"It's in the best interest of our nation [to have more women in Congress]," she said. "Women pick the family's doctors and make decisions about long-term care plans. Women bring a different perspective to policy-making. Perhaps we wouldn't have 47 million Americans without health insurance."
Wasserman Schultz has been a champion of improving access to health care for women and children. She introduced legislation that helped women by mandating that they get the care they need following childbirth and mastectomies rather than the limited amount of care that insurance companies were willing to cover.
A mother of three, Wasserman Schultz strongly believes that each generation must inspire the next generation.
"We must encourage girls and young women to compete and excel," she said. "There's nothing wrong with competition and excelling. They are positive things to strive for."
The congresswoman expressed disdain for women who succeed but do not help others to get ahead. "Some people think only about themselves instead of turning around and pulling up the next generation to replace themselves when they move on," she said. "That's absolutely imperative."
For her part, Wasserman Schultz has instilled in her children the love of books and libraries.
"I strongly support the Library's mission and goals," she said. "I have to be an advocate for the Library of Congress. It's my children's favorite place in Washington. They were so excited to visit and check out a book."
She congratulated Librarian of Congress James H. Billington for his legacy of advocating for the Library.
"You have been a credit to it and our nation," she said.
"Libraries are an inspiration, a place to learn new things, dream big dreams and get lost in a world where anything is possible. The library is the beacon without which it not possible to ascend the ladder of accomplishment," she said.
For a webcast of the address, go to www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4040. In conjunction with
the month-long celebration, the Library launched a Women's History Month
Web site at www.loc.gov/topics/womenshistory/.
