Representative Patricia Schroeder, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from my home state of Colorado, had a razor-sharp wit and an unstoppable cheerfulness. The new term, "Congressperson" was coined to accomodate her gender and position. When she was once criticized for "running as a woman" she replied, "Do I have a choice?"
When asked how she could be a Representative of the U.S. Congress and a mother at the same time, she quipped, "I have a brain and a uterus and I use both."
She should be remembered for the Family Medical Leave Act which allows eligible employees 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave based on a family emergency or medical necessity; it also includes the birth or adoption of a child. At the time, the first President George Bush vowed to veto "any maternity-leave type of legislation." She called him anti-motherhood~!!
Born Patrica Nell Scott in 1940, she and I share our middle name, plus she became friends and political allies with my staunchly Democratic parents. She was definitely one of the heroes of my youth and remains so today.
Once I saw her on Halloween about 1987 or 88. Ironically I was dressed up as "Pat" the androgynous character on SNL. At the last minute, I had pinned a Pat (Schroeder) button on my lapel in case no one could guess my costume. I hadn't expected to see her, but we stopped by a Democractic Halloween party and there she was. ~ And she immediately guessed my costume and had a good chuckle when she saw the button!
She returned to Denver in Fall 2013 to stump for Andrew Romanoff who is running for the U.S. House. She hasn't changed a bit and amid her various quips, I especially appreciated the following in the light of the many deadly shootings: Gun nuts are keeping us from controlling nuts with guns!
She also addressed the cynicism that paralyzes many would-be activists. The word, "cynic," comes from Greek and tranlates literally as currish or being a nasty, yapping dog! Now, I'm a dog lover, but I can appreciate exactly what she means.
Dearest Pat: Thank you so much for all the warm inspiration you have provided me. Adelante Cuata!
