Organization Aims to Put a Woman in the Oval Office by 2008

The organization that created Take Our Daughters to Work Day launched a campaign Thursday to put a woman in the White House by 2008.

The Ms. Foundation for Women announced its White House Project at a news conference, saying it is high time women are represented in the pool of candidates seeking the presidency.

“Nearly 40 years ago, the call went out to put a man on the moon, and today we are issuing a call to put a woman in the White House as a 10-year initiative,” said Barbara Less, who chairs the project.

“We want to have women run in every presidential cycle and for it to become a normal event,” she said.

Saying they had polling information indicating that 75% of U.S. voters were ready to elect a qualified woman as president, organizers laid out a program intended to maximize the chances of that happening.

They said a board of prominent scholars, business people, politicians and distinguished women had been selected to put together a list of 20 possible candidates.

Voters in 12 key states, as they leave polling stations Nov. 3, when the nation stages mid-term state and congressional elections, would be invited to narrow that list to five women whom they would like to see run for president.

The group would then consider those five for leadership positions during the 2000 presidential campaign.

Lee said the group has raised $2 million to finance its campaign and will open low-cost membership to citizens nationwide to boost its resources. Children and students will also be invited to join for nominal fees.