BETSY MYERS, DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR WOMEN AND BUSINESS AT BENTLEY UNIVERSITY, JOINS PETER KOUTOUJIAN ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Former Director of The White House Office of Women’s Initiatives And Outreach Chairs “Women for Koutoujian,” Pens Post on Prominent Massachusetts Politics Blog, And Hits The Campaign Trail With Koutoujian

Betsy Myers, current Director of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University and former Chair of Women for Obama, hit the campaign trail this weekend with Peter Koutoujian.  The two toured diners in Watertown together before launching a grassroots canvass from Koutoujian’s headquarters in Waltham.

“Peter’s a champion on women’s rights,” said Myers.  “From equal pay for equal work to a woman making her own reproductive health decisions, he understands the kind of issues that affect women and our families.  The first race he ever won was against an anti-choice incumbent, and he didn’t stop there: Peter passed the law that ensures every hospital in Massachusetts provides emergency contraception to women that need it.  He stood strong for funding for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners program.  To this day he serves as a board member for REACH Beyond Domestic Violence.

“And at a time when Congress has literally shut itself down over the Affordable Care Act—which makes sure insurance companies no longer treat being a woman as a pre-existing condition—Peter’s experience as Chair of the Public Health Committee is invaluable.  He oversaw the implementation of our first-of-its-kind healthcare system and he’ll bring the leadership he showed then with him to Congress,” added Myers.

Since beginning her work as Chair of Women for Koutoujian, Myers has penned a piece on the blog, “Blue Mass Group,” outlining her support. “Eighteen years ago, President Clinton asked me to launch the White House Office of Women’s Initiatives and Outreach,” her post reads. “Times have changed since then but the important issues are exactly the same: defending a woman’s right to choose, demanding equal pay for equal work, and ending violence against women. I live and vote in the Fifth District of Massachusetts; the person I want representing me in Congress is someone who brings their strong record on women’s issues along with a deep commitment to keep forging ahead as there is much work to be done. That’s why I’m supporting Peter Koutoujian, and I hope you will too.”

Koutoujian has been building momentum as the race heads into its final eight days. This weekend he made 16 stops in eight cities and towns, crisscrossing the district to share his strong, progressive message with voters. Additionally, his campaign released its newest TV ad on Friday, “There For Me,” which features Deborah, a Massachusetts resident, telling the story of her fight for lifesaving surgery that came about with Koutoujian’s help.