In the 116th Congress, a record of 127 women are serving as Representatives and 25 as Senators, only 28% of the entire Congress. What factors account for these large gaps between men and women serving in Congress? Do women face challenges throughout the media that cross party lines, and do voters show a tendency to hold women to a higher standard in the media than men? With constant news coverage, running a negative advertisement against an opponent may cause far more intense backlash for a female than a male. Moderated by Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri, panelists include Ann Lewis, former White House Director of Communications; and former members of Congress Connie Morella, and others. Presented in partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, the 2020 Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative and the National Women’s History Alliance.

• Rightfully Hers programs are made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Unilever, Pivotal Ventures, Carl M. Freeman Foundation in honor of Virginia Allen Freeman, AARP, AT&T, Ford Motor Company Fund, Facebook, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Fund at the Boston Foundation, Google, HISTORY®, and Jacqueline B. Mars. Additional support provided by the Bernstein Family Foundation and the Hearst Foundations.