Motherhood and Politics

Last weekend was a celebration of mothers, a celebration of women -- the women who shaped our lives and paved the way for generations to come.

In a special Mother’s Day interview on MSNBC’s “UP with Chris Hayes,” Rep. Chellie Pingree and her daughter Hannah Pingree, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, discussed the intersection of women’s political ambitions, family life, and modern day policy battles over motherhood.

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And Chellie’s story couldn’t be a better example. Her daughter Hannah pushed her to pursue running for office, telling her mother to “go for it.” Influenced by her mom, Hannah grew up to become involved in politics herself, becoming Speaker of the House in the Maine State Legislature. “[She] probably is how I got the political bug and why I got so involved in politics today. For me it was amazing to have a mom as a political role model and obviously that’s how we change politics, to have a lot more moms as political role models,” Hannah said of her Mom’s role in her choice to pursue politics. Chellie explained, “When you get women who have been mothers, who are thinking about family issues, the cost of childcare, the cost to feed your kid, what it takes to get a kid through school and educate them in college, women bring a different sensibility to that.” We couldn’t agree more.

Hannah Pingree's baby daughter watching her mother and grandmother on TV.