Democratic Women Champion Montana Values of Justice, Connection and Inclusivity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023

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press@montanademocrats.org

Montana Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee honored women who champion our Democratic values: Lindsey Ratliff, Dr. Melody J. Cunningham, Linda Schmitt, and Lucy Hochschartner. Maria Vega couldn’t attend. Thank you for working for Montanans.

Helena, MT – In a night that was inspiring and reflective, the Montana Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee hosted its Celebration of Democratic Women on Thursday. 

Rep. Laura Smith (D - Helena) introduced five honorees who shared their stories about championing LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, Native American justice, empowering workers, and energizing young voters. Honorees were nominated by Democrats throughout Montana for their commitment to making Montana a safer, better connected, more inclusive place to live and work.

LGBTQ+ Honoree Linda Schmitt, chair of the Ravalli County Central Democratic Central Committee, spoke about the commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the central committee’s decision to combat hate in Ravalli County by sponsoring last year’s first annual Queer Prom, which was attended by more than 800 people.

Youth Honoree Lucy Hochschartner spoke about the first time she realized the climate was in crisis. She saw a path to saving it through political activism and got to work. Her love of outdoor sports led her to Montana, where she worked to build the youth vote, eventually serving as field manager for the Monica Tranel campaign.

Havre public school teacher and mom Lindsey Ratliff was the Labor Honoree. Lindsey stays busy as an active member of her union, the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) and the Chair of the Hill County Democratic Central Committee, and a member of the Havre City Council. She spoke about the power of connection and the way unions represent our innate need to look after each other.

Speaking about the fight for Reproductive Rights, Dr. Melody J. Cunningham stayed busy during election season educating the public about anti-choice LR131, a government intrusion into reproductive care and deeply personal pregnancy decisions that Republicans put on the ballot last November. It’s a subject Cunningham knows all too well as a pediatric oncologist. She attributed her strength to her mother, who raised Cunningham and her sister on her own after her father died.

Lance Four Star spoke for Native American Honoree Maria Vega, who couldn’t make it because she lost her voice. Vega is the Chairwoman of the Fort Peck Democratic Tribal Committee — the first of its kind in the United States. Vega inspired, organized, and energized volunteers and their hard work paid off when Rep. Frank Smith won re-election in a competitive election this fall.

MDLCC is the wing of the Montana Democratic Party that provides professional candidate services to Democrats running for the State House or State Senate.

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