I've been the co-chair of the Non-Partisan Women's Caucus and vice-chair for several years, taking a leadership role in this women's organization.

Over the past several years, I've been more in a managerial role.

It is only with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 that we have been able to put a dent in violence against women, and women have had a place to go.

Women in leadership role is very good but the team full of women as majority is often a mess,less productive and promote heartburn.

Violence against women is as American as apple pie. I know, not only as a legislator, but from personal experience.

As legislators and as Members of Congress, it is our obligation to speak up for those who are being ignored in our society. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) does just that.