Hello, and welcome to The Women’s Caucus, a Constituency Caucus of Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee! We encourage you to participate in our mission and to support our venues which incorporate our goals to enlighten women’s values in service with The Democratic Party.
We are pleased with your interest and invite you to join us. Contact us on Facebook for direct conversations.
Sincerely,
Candace Faye Stitzman-Duley, Chair
Our Mission
Promote the interests of women within the Democratic Party, advise the State Party on policies affecting the welfare of women, develop programs for the systematic inclusion of women in the decision-making of the party, and assist national, state, and local Democratic Organizations in the selection and election of women.
Our Leadership
Chair: Candace Faye Stitzman-Duley
Vice Chair: Marnie Aument-Loughrey
Treasurer: Christine Porter-Mitchell
PAC Treasurer: Christine Porter-Mitchell
PA Women’s Caucus PAC
Our PAC was created to promote individuals seeking office who demonstrate promise for women and our party. We want to be a part of aiding in a worthy campaign.
We strive to:
- Provide financial assistance in the General Election to help elect qualified statewide Pennsylvania Democratic candidates and qualified women candidates to all public offices in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Develop a network of campaign and financial support resources for qualified Democratic candidates seeking public office
Background:
In recent years, the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Womens Caucus has endeavored to help competent Democratic women and statewide candidates get elected to public office. We have contributed to women running for elected office, as well as statewide candidates, and have also assisted them in many other ways.
Donations:
Donations to the PAC are accepted at any time. Include your occupation and employer’s name and address along with your personal contact information (required by law). No corporate checks allowed. Write your check out to PA Democratic Women’s Caucus PAC and mail to:
PA Democratic Women’s Caucus PAC
c/o Christine Porter Mitchell
534 Bonnie Brae
Erie, PA 16511
Endorsements and Contributions to Candidate Campaigns:
If you are interested in help for your campaign, please fill the application in completely with the requested information and return it to the address at the end of the application. This application must be returned via email to camrcm@yahoo.com.
If you’d like to join the Women’s Caucus you can fill out our application here: Pennsylvania State Committee Democratic Women’s PAC Application.
The Catherine Baker Knoll Scholarship
Established in 2011 in memory of Pennsylvania’s first elected woman Lieutenant Governor, the Catherine Baker Knoll Scholarship is awarded annually to a woman pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree and is committed to a future in public service.
The scholarship is supported by the Pennsylvania Democratic Committee and the Pennsylvania Democratic Committee Women’s Caucus.
These organizations provide funds to award one scholarship of $1,000 to a student who is actively pursuing a leadership role in public service, community organizing, politics, government or education.
The Catherine Baker Knoll Scholarship is awarded annually and may be used for tuition, books or living expenses at any college or university in Pennsylvania.
State Committee Child Care
The Women’s Caucus provides childcare services during the weekend – ONLY if it is requested.
We have a certified childcare worker who sets aside the weekend of our meeting to provide quality childcare at our meetings.
For additional information or to request childcare, contact Joanne Tosti-Vasey of the Women’s Caucus at (814) 355-3056. Leave a message on the phone if no one answers and she will call you back as soon as possible.
Requests for childcare MUST be made prior the Sunday evening before our next scheduled meeting.
Parents are requested to bring refreshments, toys, games, and/or books for their children.
Candidates Forum and Auction
Since 1996, the Women’s Caucus has sponsored this annual forum. In conjunction with the Forum, we also hold a fundraiser, which is generally held outside the room where we hold the candidates forum.
Funds raised from the raffle help us sponsor this Forum, the Women’s Caucus PAC, the Catherine Baker Knoll scholarship and childcare for attendees of the State Committee meeting.
The Forum and Auction are both held in conjunction with the Winter PA Democratic State Committee Meeting.
In even numbered years, we hold separate forums for all state-wide executive branch races (Governor, Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasurer) and for the US Senate race when these seats are open.
In odd numbered years, we hold separate forums for each appellate court that has open seats. If there are no statewide judicial races in any odd-numbered year, no forum will be held (this has only happened once since 1997).
For additional information on the Forum, contact Joanne Tosti-Vasey of the Women’s Caucus at (814) 355-3056. Leave a message on the phone if no one answers and she will call you back as soon as possible.
For additional information on the Auction, contact Candy Stitzman-Duley at 610-823-8744 or by Email at czarinacandace@msn.com.
Open Table
The Open Table is a public forum held in memory of Evelyn Stitzman, who held “ladies’ luncheons” around her kitchen table to discuss community and national issues during the 1940s and 1950s.
The Women’s Caucus Open Tables are composed of Caucus officers and elected officials who are knowledgeable about the theme of the annual table. The Round Tables are traditionally held at the Fall meeting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Convention.
For additional information on the Open Table, contact Candy Stitzman-Duley at 610-823-8744 or by Email at czarinacandace@msn.com.
Bake Off
The newest project of the Women’s Caucus is an Annual Bake-Off. The participants are the candidates and State Committee members. All proceeds benefit The Catherine Baker Knoll Scholarship Fund.
For additional information on future Bake Offs, contact Candy Stitzman-Duley at 610-823-8744 or email at czarinacandace@msn.com.