| Chapter 1: | An Introduction to Emily's List |
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its ability to adapt to the changing political environment—that makes it so important. Only by understanding the distinct yet intricately connected activity of EMILY's List's multiple prongs can we understand how it has become such a critical player in American politics.
The stories of Malcolm and EMILY's List are intertwined. Some wonder what will happen to the organization when Malcolm steps away—a very appropriate question given the critical role she continues to play in the organization, and one that I address at several points in this text. However, those seeking a biography of Ellen Malcolm will be disappointed. Likewise, the book is not a history of the liberal feminist women's movement, although the movement's successes and especially its failures are part of this organization's origins, its mission, and its appeal. Malcolm, the liberal feminist women's movement, the rise of modern campaigning, the increasing relevance of money in electoral politics, the battle for partisan control of Congress and the White House—all of these various threads are part of the story. An examination of the origins of the organization; its leadership, membership, and candidates; and the impact of these on the electoral system and our institutions of government, especially the U.S. Congress, will make it clear that EMILY's List is much more than a women's PAC. By the end, readers will understand the transformative process that took place vis-à-vis EMILY's List, but readers will also gain insight into the structure and workings of contemporary interest groups, influence organization, and identity politics.
The Second Wave Feminist Movement and the Emergence of EMILY's List
After a brief review of the pertinent literature, I discuss how the women's movement set the stage for the formation of EMILY's