Bloomberg Campaign Press Release - Mike Bloomberg 2020 Launches Women for Mike National Leadership Council

Campaign kicks off the Women for Mike Bus Tour across Southern California to highlight the importance of women in this election

LOS ANGELES — Today, the Mike Bloomberg 2020 campaign announced its Women for Mike National Leadership Council. This follows the launch of "Women for Mike" — a groundswell movement to energize women across the country who support Mike's efforts to defeat Donald Trump, unite the country, and rebuild America. Women for Mike is organizing in communities across the country to amplify women's voices on the issues that matter most. In conjunction with the launch of the Women for Mike Leadership Council, today kicks off a weeklong bus tour across Southern California that will highlight Mike Bloomberg's record and plans to promote issues of importance to women.

The Women for Mike Leadership Council is comprised of 90 women who are endorsing Mike for president and are reflective of the breadth of his support across the country. As members of the Women for Mike Leadership Council, these women will lend their voices to the campaign while activating their networks to support his candidacy in communities across the country.

"I started working for Mike in 1994, and in the years since, I've had a front row seat as he's grown his business, served three terms as mayor of New York City, and given generously to causes he believes in through his foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies. Every step of the way, he hasn't just supported women – he's empowered them to lead, to grow, and to help shape his company, his administration, his charitable giving, and his personal values," said Patti Harris, Mike Bloomberg 2020 Campaign Chair. "I'm honored to serve as chair of his campaign, and I'm delighted to join so many brilliant women on the Women for Mike National Leadership Council. Now more than ever, we need someone in the White House who will be a fierce advocate for women and women's rights, while building a fairer, more equitable future for this country. I know that Mike will be that type of leader – and I look forward to working with this group, and women across the country, to make him the next president of the United States."

At this critical moment for the country and for the Democratic Party, women will be instrumental in selecting the party's nominee and defeating President Trump in November. Many women view Trump as an existential threat to decency, and the safety and security of the nation. The Women for Mike Leadership Council will work to engage women on the issues they care most about and rally them in support of Mike.

The Council Co-Chairs include:

• Lonnie Ali, Activist, Philanthropist, and wife of Muhammad Ali
• Emma Bloomberg, Founder and CEO, Murmuration
• Georgina Bloomberg
• Aja Brown, Mayor of Compton, California; California State Co-Chair for Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Patti Harris, Campaign Chair, Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Calandrian Simpson Kemp, Gun Violence Prevention Activist, and Founder, Village of Mothers
• Jill Lafer, Former board chair of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and NARAL Pro-Choice New York
• Mary Salas, Mayor of Chula Vista, California; California State C0-Chair for Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Diana Taylor, Finance Executive; Former New York Superintendent of Banks
• Marjorie Tiven, Founder and President, Global Cities, Inc.
• Dr. Paula Stone Williams, Teaching Pastor, RLT Pathways, Inc.

"Long before Mike Bloomberg launched his campaign, I wanted him to run for president because I always regarded him as a "can-do" thinker and doer," said Lonnie Ali, Activist, Philanthropist, and Wife of Muhammad Ali. "So I'm delighted to finally have him step into the ring. I believe Mike can restore strength and integrity to our democratic institutions and repair the deep cultural and political divides that have brought this country to a precipice of no return. Mike is a UNITER- not a DIVIDER. Mike has the experience and know how to put this country back on sure footing nationally and internationally — and the temperament to rally a diverse group of Americans around issues like economic opportunity, health care and education."

"I am proud to stand up for Mike Bloomberg in this race and proud to be a part of the Women for Mike National Leadership Council," continued Ali. "Together, the women of this Council, along with a diverse group of women from around the country, will unite and work together to get Mike elected in November."

The first stop of the bus tour was the Mike Bloomberg 2020 Los Angeles field office earlier today. The bus tour will continue on and celebrate its inaugural run with a conversation at The Riveter, a women's co-working space, as part of a weeklong swing through Southern California.

"As we all know, California is going to play a critical role in this election, and I want to make it clear that women, in particular, have the power to make or break a candidacy. That's the message we're trying to get out today, and I'm glad to be able to use my voice as a member of the Women for Mike National Leadership Council to let people know who Mike is and why we are standing behind him," said Mayor of Compton, California Aja Brown. "And what we believe is that Mike has the only vision for America that is truly inclusive, truly equitable, and where women are concerned, truly dedicated to developing holistic policies that address the many areas in which women want a strong advocate in Washington."

Since launching the campaign, Mike Bloomberg has released a series of policies that will help women and working families, including reproductive rights and access, paid family leave, pay equity, improving the quality of child care and early childhood education, and to address the maternal mortality crisis head-on.

"I've known Mike since I was on the board of NARAL Pro Choice New York – and since he was running for mayor of New York City," said Jill Lafer, former board chair of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and NARAL Pro-Choice New York. "I've long held Mike in high regard both as a person and for his unwavering commitment to women and children. I know Mike, and he is a man of his word. When he says that he will fight for things like women's reproductive health and rights, pay equity, generous child care policies, and paid family leave, I know we can consider these policies as good as done. That means something to me, and I am proud to be part of his team. Together with my fellow members of the Women for Mike National Leadership Council, I am confident that we can send Mike to the White House and finally look forward to an administration that is behind women one hundred percent."

As Mayor of New York City, Mike increased the number of contracts that were awarded to women-owned businesses and increased access to reproductive healthcare. At Bloomberg LP, he has worked to create an environment where women can and do succeed. The company provides equal pay, good benefits, and opportunities for advancement. As a philanthropist and political donor, Mike has supported numerous causes like Planned Parenthood that advance women rights and helped elect dozens of women to office through organizations like EMILY's List.

Since the Women for Mike coalition was launched in mid-January, there have been more than 100 Women for Mike events across the country. The campaign has also launched other coalitions, including Proud for Mike, United for Mike, Ganamos con Mike, Mike for Black America, and Veterans and Military Families for Mike. These groups demonstrate Mike's diverse base of support around the country, based on the fact that they know Mike is the Democrat best poised to beat Trump in November.

Members of the Women for Mike National Leadership Council include:

Council Co-Chairs

• Lonnie Ali, Activist, Philanthropist, and wife of Muhammad Ali
• Emma Bloomberg, Founder and CEO, Murmuration
• Georgina Bloomberg
• Aja Brown, Mayor of Compton, California; California State Co-Chair for Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Patti Harris, Campaign Chair, Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Calandrian Simpson Kemp, Gun Violence Survivor; Moms Demand Action and Everytown Survivor Network volunteer; Founder, Village of Mothers
• Jill Lafer, former board chair of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and NARAL Pro-Choice New York
• Mary Salas, Mayor of Chula Vista, California; California State Co-Chair for Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Diana Taylor, Finance Executive; Former New York Superintendent of Banks
• Marjorie Tiven, Founder and President, Global Cities, Inc.
• Dr. Paula Stone Williams, Teaching Pastor, RLT Pathways, Inc.

Council Members

• Mona Aboelnaga, Managing Partner, K6 Investments
• Andi Bernstein, CEO, Beach Walk Media; Executive Team Member, Compass and Oxygen Media; Board Member, Women for Women and The Public Theater
• Paula Grant Berry, Trustee, National September 11 Memorial and Museum
• Diahann Billings-Burford, First-ever Chief Service Officer for New York City
• Lisa Blau, Partner, Able Partners
• Guessippina Bonner, Councilmember, Ward 1, Lufkin, Texas
• Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington D.C. and National Campaign Co-Chair
• Nancy Bowman, Gun Violence Survivor and Moms Demand Action volunteer
• Lorraine Bracco, Actor and Activist
• London Breed, Mayor of San Francisco, California; First Chair of Mike for Black America Leadership Council
• Christine Bremer-Muggli, Attorney & Former DNC Member from Wisconsin
• Shaundelle Brooks, Gun Violence Survivor and Activist; Founder, Akilah Dasilva Foundation
• Anastasia Brown, Music Industry Executive
• Sharmaine S. Brown, Gun Violence Survivor and volunteer for Moms Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network ; Founder, Jared's Heart of Success Inc.
• Karen Cahn, Founder & CEO of iFundWomen
• Tara Cortes, PhD,RN, Executive Director and Professor, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
• Anne Davis, Nashville native and Environmental Activist
• Donna Dees, Founder, The Million Mom March
• Beth Dozoretz, President, Dozoretz Foundation
• Diana Earl, Gun Violence Survivor and Moms Demand Action and Everytown Survivor Network volunteer
• Verna Eggleston, Head of Women's Economic Development Initiatives, Bloomberg Philanthropies
• Laura Ensler, President, Laura Ensler Consulting
• Emma Ellis-Cosigua, Boardmember, FISH Hospitality Pantries; Knoxville community organizer and immigrant rights advocate
• C. Virginia Fields, former Borough President of Manhattan, New York
• Karen Freeman-Wilson, Former Mayor of Gary, Indiana
• Kelisha Garrett, Principal Consultant, Gen-X Consulting Group
• Betsy Gotbaum, Former New York City Public Advocate
• Linda Grais, Biotech CEO and Independent Board Member
• Amy Griffin, Founder and Managing Partner, G9 Ventures
• Desiree Gruber, CEO, Full Picture
• Janet Hanson, Founder and CEO, 85 Broads
• Jean Hobby, Board Member, Catholic Charities Dallas
• Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments
• Cathy Isaacson, Civic Leader and Retired Attorney
• Mary Ann Jacob, Gun Violence Survivor and Everytown Survivor Network volunteer
• Yolanda Jimenez, Former Commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence; Former Executive Director, Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation
• Courtney Johnson Rose, Principal Broker, George E. Johnson Properties
• Julie Johnson, Representative, Texas House of Representatives; Texas State Co-Chair for Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts
• Jennifer Jones Austin
• Sydney Kamlager Dove, Assemblymember, California State Assembly; California State Co-Chair for Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Amee Kapadia, Climate Activist and Student
• Sari Kaufman, Senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; Students Demand Action Member and Lead Organizer of Parkland March for Our Lives
• Sister Paulette LoMonaco, former Executive Director, Good Shepherd Services, New York City
• Pat Maisch, Gun Violence Survivor and volunteer for Moms Demand Action and Everytown Survivor Network
• Shelley McMahon, Gun Violence Survivor and Everytown Survivor Network volunteer
• Lily Mei, Mayor of Fremont, California
• Amy Mello, Former Field Director, Freedom to Marry
• Anne Milling, Community Philanthropist/Activist
• Brenda K. Mitchell, Everytown Survivor Network Fellow; Inter Faith Outreach Leader for Moms Demand Action in South Suburban Chicago
• Brenda Moss, Gun Violence Survivor and Activist
• Stephanie Murphy, U.S Representative (FL-7), U.S. House of Representatives; Campaign Co-Chair, Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Patty Newburger, Executive Vice President, Event Strategy, Tribeca Enterprises
• Maria Pike, Gun Violence Survivor and volunteer with Moms Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network
• Bev Perdue, Former Governor of North Carolina
• Gina Raimondo, Governor of Rhode Island
• Mary Reed, Gun Violence Survivor and volunteer for Moms Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network
• Susan Rockefeller, Documentary Filmmaker, Artist and Conservationist; Founder and CEO, Musings
• Desiree Rogers, CEO and Co-Owner, Black Opal Beauty
• Lela Rose, Fashion Designer
• Daryl Roth, Tony Award Winning Broadway Producer
• Cynthia Rowley, Fashion Designer
• Gail Schwartz, Former State Senator for Western and Southern Colorado
• Laura Turner Seydel, International Environmental Advocate
• Cynthia D. Shapira, Pittsburgh Community Leader
• Kathy Sheehan, Mayor of Albany, New York
• Pam Simon, Gun Violence Survivor and advocate for gun safety with Moms Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network
• Audrey Smaltz, Entrepreneur and Personality
• Dr. Abigail Spangler, Founder of Protest Easy Guns, President of the C.D. Spangler Foundation, and Board of Directors of Spangler Companies, Inc; Virginia State Co-Chair for Mike Bloomberg 2020
• Silda Wall Spitzer, Co-founder, CEO and Publisher of NewYorkMakers.com
• Haley Stevens, U.S. Representative (MI-11), U.S House of Representatives
• Katie Sturino, Body Positive Advocate
• Pamela Thomas-Graham, Founder & CEO, Dandelion Chandelier; Former CEO, CNBC Television; Former Executive Board Member, Credit Suisse
• Lovely Warren, Mayor of Rochester, New York
• Shirley Washington, Mayor of Pine Bluff, Arkansas
• Karen Weaver, Former Mayor of Flint, Michigan
• Wilma J. Webb, Former State Representative, Former First Lady of Denver
• Maureen Weigl, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
• Victoria Woodards, Mayor of Tacoma, Washington