Times Wire Reports

TodaysMama, a leading developer of personal, professional and parenting resources for women and mothers everywhere, launched the MamaVote initiative, created to educate and inspire mothers with information and perspective about participation in government -- as voters and as public servants.

MamaVote is a nonpartisan initiative designed to bring a positive, proactive voice to political life, featuring voices from across the political spectrum. The initiative will offer insight and perspective from the most articulate individuals in both major parties, as well as from alternative voices.

"Moms are more important than ever in voting and governance," said Rachael Herrscher, cofounder and CEO of TodaysMama.

"With MamaVote, we are looking to offer an educated forum, rather than acrimony, ideology or spin."

Visitors to the MamaVote Web site, www.mamavote.com will be able to tap into a broad array of educational resources about the deeply significant role women and mothers can play in the political process, from the local school board to the federal level.

There are currently 87 women serving in Congress (71 in the House, out of 435 total, or 16.3 percent) and 16 in the Senate (out of 100).

These are the highest figures in U.S. history, but pale in comparison with the makeup of the voting population -- women have provided the majority of votes in both 2000 and 2004 elections -- and the United States ranks 66th in the world in the percentage of women in national parliaments, trailing such nations as Iraq, Cuba, South Africa and China, according to MamaVote.

Additionally, women hold an extremely strategic place in the electorate, and many analysts believe women constitute the vast majority of swing voters, making election cycles potentially more dynamic and less predictable.

Most research also indicates women on all sides of the political spectrum approach politics differently from their male counterparts: generally less ideological and more practical, problem-solving and coalition-building.

The MamaVote section of the TodaysMama site will contain educational articles, columns and inspirational stories, offered by political and thought leaders ranging from school board members to high-profile elected officials and candidates.

In addition, the site will contain pertinent information and perspective about the political process from the League of Women Voters and other organizations. Information will range from practical information, such as where to vote, to inspiring stories about involvement in public service.