Local women attend Democratic convention

DENVER — Claudia Douglas and Carolyn Covington are among the former Hillary Clinton supporters attending the Democratic National Convention who are disappointed their candidate didn’t get their party’s nomination.

Douglas and Covington, local women representing the Mat-Su Borough at the DNC, are worried that the gains made by fielding the first strong female candidate from either major political party may be lost if Barack Obama doesn’t win the general election in November.

Douglas and Covington are two of the 18 elected Alaska delegates in Denver. By state law, half of Alaska’s delegates are female. Both said from the convention this week they are honored to be representing the Borough.

Covington, mother of six girls and a boy, said she is especially worried that if Obama loses to expected Republican nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain, the country would lose all the progress women have made over the past 60 years. She spoke specifically of the women’s right to vote and a woman’s right to decide her health care options concerning abortion.

When Covington was a child she said the only things a young woman could do was marry a farmer or become a teacher, nurse or secretary.

“I want opportunities for everyone,” she said.

Douglas spoke of the need for free preschool in Alaska and increased funding for education.

“Education costs money, but the public wants a bargain education,” Douglas said.

Both delegates said there is a need for more education options such as technical training, vocational schools and medical technology training, not just a traditional four-year degree.

Covington and Douglas are also strong advocates for universal health care even if it costs a lot of money. They would like something similar to what exists in Europe and think that it could work in the United States. They also favor alternative energy sources and development, which ties in with a better commuter rail system from Wasilla to Anchorage.

Inspired by Michelle Obama’s quote on the first day of the convention, “Barack always dreamed about the way things could be,” Covington and Douglas continue their DNC experience confident a Democratic victory in November would be good for the country.