The following statement is from the Farm Team, a group whose goal is “to recruit, support and elect Democratic women to ALL levels of elected office in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Bolding added by me for emphasis.
“After four months of outrageous Republican attacks on women’s rights, I guess I should not be surprised by Speaker Howell’s statement today directed to Anna Scholl, executive director of ProgressVA – but I am. Howell’s comment to Scholl that “I guess I’m not speaking in little enough words for you to understand,” is beyond offensive. It is distressing, to say the least, that Howell has so whole heartedly embraced this national trend of rhetoric against women. It is becoming pervasive.
I applaud Scholl for her direct response to Howell – “I’m a smart girl, I went to the University of Virginia, I think words with multiple syllables would be just fine for me”.
The Farm Team has a message for the Speaker, “Speaker Howell, the women of Virginia understand lots of big, multiple syllable words, like discrimination, trans-vaginal probe, and denial of preventative health care services. Your comment to Anna Scholl belittles very woman in the Commonwealth, including your wife, your daughters-in-law and grand-daughters.. We deserve and expect better. On behalf of 51 percent of Virginia’s population, we hope that you apologize to Anna Scholl. It is the very least you can do.”
Susan Platt
Co-founder
The Farm Team
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