Why a Women's Caucus?

US Congress: Women hold 89, or 16.6%, of the 535 seats in the 112th US Congress -- 17, or 17.0%, of the 100 seats in the Senate and 72, or 16.6%, of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives. In addition, three women serve as Delegates to the House from Guam, the Virgin Islands and Washington, DC.

Statewide Elective Office: In 2011, the number of women in statewide elective executive posts is 68, or 21.9% of the 315 available positions. Among these women, 38 are Democrats, 30 are Republicans, and 1 were elected in nonpartisan races. This is lowest percentage of women in statewide elective office since 1991 (18%)!

State Legislatures: In 2011, 1,727, or 23.4%, of the 7,382 state legislators in the United States are women. Women hold 420, or 21.3%, of the 1,971 state senate seats and 1,307, or 24.2%, of the 5,411 state house seats. Since 1971, the number of women serving in state legislatures has more than quintupled. Colorado currently leads all states in this catergory with women holding 40% of the seats in their legislature. Indiana's State Legislature currently has women in 21.3% of their available seats.

Source:The Center for Women in Politics www.cawp.rutgers.edu/