If her audience at the recent Women’s Law Association event had any doubts about the kind of inroads women are making in Congress, Representative Susan Davis dispelled many of them.

It’s not about the numbers at this point – there are 73 women in the House of Representatives and 16 in the Senate – but Rep. Davis pointed out that many of the women being elected to congress are younger now – which gives them a greater chance to grow on the job and eventually serve in important committee positions.

“This has major, major repercussions for women to have major positions and to lead,” said Rep. Davis, who appeared at TJSL on September 21st.

At the same time, she is “amazed at how they balance their responsibilities,” recalled how she juggled own her career and family as a young mother – and a military spouse.

Families – military families -- are Rep. Davis’ priority as the chair of the House Armed Services Personnel Committee – recalling the old saying: “If the military wanted you to have a family, they’d have issued you one.”

One of the important issues, she says, is how the military is dealing with the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that is seen in so many of the military who are serving in the Iraq war theater.

“PTSD and TBI have the ability to open up the discussion (on these issues) and erase the stigma of mental illness in this country,” according to Rep. Davis.

The congresswoman also asked the audience to contact her office if any of the law students are interested in serving as interns in her office dealing with immigration issues.

She told the audience she hopes that as lawyers they will be involved in the important issues facing our nation saying, “thank you for being in law school!”

“On behalf of the Women's Law Association, it was an honor to host Congresswoman Susan Davis to speak at TJSL,” said WLA President Anna Alaburda.

“Congresswoman Davis enlightened our group about how few women serve in public office, the grave effects of the Iraq War on women and people serving in the military and other topics such as education and families. She expressed herself with such passion and honesty, one could tell she truly believed in what she said. We welcome Congresswoman Davis back any time in the future to share her knowledge, wisdom, and experiences with us. “

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna Alaburda, Rep. Susan Davis, Dana Heitz