*By Hope King* With a record number of women running for Congress in November, a "pink wave" could carry Democrats to a majority and has Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York feeling optimistic about a new era of progressive government. "You’ll have a government that cares about everyone ー that wants people to thrive, to have happy communities, happy families. One that allows everyone to earn their full potential in the workplace,” Gillibrand said in an interview with Cheddar. After her keynote speech Thursday at the BlogHer18 conference in New York, Gillibrand, one of the the state's two Democratic Senators, described what America might look like if more women were in political power: paid family leave, equal pay for equal work, affordable daycare, universal pre-k, job training, and resolution of college-loan debt. "So many things I think a Democratic Congress can do given the chance," she said. Based on the results from this week's primary elections in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington, the two major parties will field [at least 185 female candidates for the House](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/08/636675661/its-official-record-number-of-women-nominated-for-house-seats-in-2018) in November, according to the Center for Women and Politics and Rutgers University. That number could still rise with more primaries to come. There are also 13 women running for the Senate. "I’m really hopeful," Gillibrand said. "These women who are running are passionate ー they’re on fire. They believe in what they’re doing, they’re taking risks, they’re fighting as hard as they can." *For Hope King's full interview with Senator Gillibrand, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/senator-kirsten-gillibrand-speaks-out-on-midterms-trump-2020).*

Share:
More In Culture
On a Positive Note: High Schoolers Headed to Africa to Connect with Their Roots
Members of the Kappa League mentoring program at Wyandanch Memorial High School in Long Island, NY are preparing for an educational trip to Ghana. Principal Paul Sibblies is on a mission to enrich his students' lives to put some of them in touch with their roots. "When you invest in young people, then it's the greatest investment you can make," he said.
On a Positive Note: Students With Disabilities Graduate from SANYS
A group of 15 students recently graduated from SANYS U., a six-week program held by the Self Advocacy Association of New York State. The course helps people with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf, learning more about their rights, legislation and issues that matter most.
The Minivan Is Turning 40 Years Old This Year
The minivan is turning 40 years old this year. While it made up just 1.8 percent of the car market in 2022, that number could begin to tick up, as more families increase interest in the car's advantages. Cheddar News' senior reporter Michelle Castillo takes a deeper look at the minivan's lineage.
Load More