Democratic Women

When a male-dominated committee gutted a bill that would have toughened domestic violence laws, the women of the Maryland legislature had had enough.Female delegates revolted, introducing amendment after amendment that restored key provisions. In doing so, they ran roughshod over unwritten rules of House loyalty -- and the notion that women could be taken for granted.That moment two years ago highlighted the potential power of the General Assembly's women -- power notable for how seldom it has been wielded.

WASHINGTON -- A group of Democratic women, tied by politics to the White House but purposefully steering clear of direct administration influence, has begun a campaign to defend Hillary Rodham Clinton against attacks arising from her role in the Whitewater affair.The women, some of whom have expressed frustration among themselves about Mrs. Clinton's choice not to speak out vigorously on her own behalf, have been meeting for a month in Washington to plot ways to strike back at what they consider unfair press coverage and partisan assault.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will take a lower profile than many expected at the Democratic National Convention this month, backing up Maryland's Barbara A. Mikulski in a segment showcasing the party's nine women senators. Some party regulars reacted with indignation that the former first lady and the party's most prominent woman would play a minor role at the convention in Boston, July 26-29. "It's a slap in the face, not personally for Hillary Clinton, but for every woman in the Democratic Party and every woman in America," said Judith Hope, former chairwoman of the New York State Democratic Party and a major party fund-raiser.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will take a lower profile than many expected at the Democratic National Convention this month, backing up Maryland's Barbara A. Mikulski in a segment showcasing the party's nine women senators. Some party regulars reacted with indignation that the former first lady and the party's most prominent woman would play a minor role at the convention in Boston, July 26-29. "It's a slap in the face, not personally for Hillary Clinton, but for every woman in the Democratic Party and every woman in America," said Judith Hope, former chairwoman of the New York State Democratic Party and a major party fund-raiser.

Susie Moore Dyett, a retired nursing home owner, died Monday of pneumonia at the Meridian Healthcare Center at Brightwood, in Brooklandville. She was 87 and lived on Auchentoroly Terrace.Services for Mrs. Dyett were being held today at Douglass Memorial Community Church, Lafayette and Madison avenues.She and her first husband, Alonzo Moore, who died in 1982, owned the Plaza Manor Nursing Home in Glen Burnie for 35 years before she sold it in 1984.A native of Mississippi, the former Susie Washington moved to Baltimore as a young woman.

Margaret Jefferson "Jeff" Jackson, a Maryland state senator from 1953 to 1955 and Democratic activist, died in her sleep of a circulatory ailment Sunday at Pickersgill Retirement Community in Towson. She was 94. Born Margaret E. Jefferson in Chestertown, she graduated from Washington College in 1929 and went to work at a women's clothing store owned by her father. After his death, she ran the store until 1939, when she married Omar D. "Gus" Crothers Jr., and moved to Walnut Lane in Elkton.

THE escalating activity on campaign finance reform is good news for those who want fair and competitive elections and legislation that is passed on its merits, not because it is a payback to special interests.This activity is especially welcomed by organizations that support women candidates. They have long recognized that a major barrier to newcomers reaching high office in Washington has been our campaign financing system.Sure-winner incumbents, mostly men, pull in 90 percent of all political action committee contributions and are thus cemented into office, while underfinanced challengers struggle to be heard in our media-oriented elections.

School board selection system to be debatedThe Democratic Women of Anne Arundel County is sponsoring a debate on the county school board selection process from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park.Four viewpoints will be presented. Terry Berg of the League of Women Voters will discuss an elected school board; Del. Mike Busch, a 30th District Democrat, a school board nominating commission and appointments by the governor; Pat Huecker, a former county school board member, retaining the current system of a nominating convention and appointments by the governor; and Diane Hutchins, a county governmental relations officer, a nominating convention and appointments by the county executive.

Mary L. Wilson, who was one of the secretaries to four Maryland governors and was known as "Mrs. Maryland Democrat," died Friday of cancer at Lions Manor Nursing Home in Cumberland. She was 95.In a 1960 interview in the Cumberland Evening Times, Mrs. Wilson stated the substance of her life's work:"I was born a Democrat, and I'll always be a Democrat. I believe in the principles of the Democratic Party and will work in every way possible to get women as well as men into the Democratic Party."

Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives will discuss their platforms and answer questions during a three-hour forum Saturday in Glen Burnie.Six of seven Senate candidates as well as candidates for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th district congressional seats will participate, said Linda Lamone, president of the newly formed club,Democratic Women of Anne Arundel County.The forum will begin at 3:30 p.m., immediately following a short club meeting, Lamone said.After short speeches by each candidate,and questions to the Senate candidates, Lamone said the House candidates will split up to meet with the voters from their separate districts.