Capitol Women: Jan Schakowsky

Jan Schakowsky, a fifth-term congresswoman from Illinois, is a leading advocate for women’s issues and is unafraid to call herself a feminist. She described to me her transformation from stay-at-home mom to Washington powerhouse fighting for an end to the war in Iraq, universal healthcare, veterans’ rights, product safety, and more. Enjoy this conversation with the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives (she might just invite you to her Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch).

Q: What inspired you to go into politics?

A: My political career began, almost by accident, in 1969 when I led a small group of housewives in the fight to put freshness dates on products sold in supermarkets. For a twenty-five-year-old stay-at-home mom, this was an exhilarating and empowering experience, transforming me from an ordinary housewife to an ordinary housewife who could make a difference in the world. It led me to other organizing and advocacy efforts and eventually to jobs such as Executive Director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens, fighting for affordable health care, and finally running for office myself. I realized that I could continue to stand up and fight for ordinary Americans as an elected public official.

Q: You were a founding member of the Out of Iraq caucus and opposed the Iraq war legislation. At this point, how can the United States achieve the most positive results in that country?

A: It is imperative that the U.S. recognize that there is no military solution to the situation in Iraq. Therefore, I believe we must immediately begin the withdrawal of our troops. As a founding member of the Out of Iraq caucus, I opposed the war from the beginning and four and a half years of bloodshed have only made it more evident that there is no military solution in Iraq. Instead of sending our troops and resources to referee a civil war, we should use them to fight terrorism where it really exists—in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq should be coupled with a serious diplomatic and humanitarian effort, involving as many states in the region as possible. Only with regional support will Iraq be able to become a safe, stable, and prosperous country.