Tester Campaign Rolls Out Women for Tester

Names Co-Chairs to Women-Led Group in Support of Jon Tester

Bozeman – Today, the campaign of farmer Jon Tester held an event to launch Women for Tester, a group of Montana women backing Jon Tester for U.S. Senate who are actively involved in their communities and helping lead the way in improving the lives of all Montanans.

The event was held in Bozeman. A Facebook Live from the event can be found HERE.

This diverse group of women leaders support Tester because they know Jon is fighting for Montana’s women. Whether it’s supporting equal pay for equal work, defending a woman’s right to make decisions about her own health care, improving our public schools, protecting survivors of domestic violence, standing up for working families and veterans, or safeguarding our public lands, these women know: Jon Tester has their back.

“Every issue is a women’s issue,” said Sen. Jon Tester. “From healthcare to equal pay, better schools and jobs, and access to public lands, every issue impacts Montana women in personal and meaningful ways. I’m proud to have support from this coalition of strong women, and I look forward to standing together with them as we continue to fight for Montana.”

Women for Tester Co-Chairs

Moffie Funk, a former teacher, is in her second term as a Montana State Representative for HD82 in Helena, where she has been a champion for public education, workers, and the middle class. From 2007-2008 Moffie was a consultant on the Montana Historical Society’s textbook Montana Stories of the Land and was the 2014 Montana History Teacher of the Year. She received her BA in Political Science from the University of California and her Educator License from Carroll College.

Carolyn Pease-Lopez served four terms in the State Legislature, including positions as House Chaplain and Minority Caucus Chair. As an active member of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators, she served two terms as Peace Keeper and was elected Secretary in 2016. Carolyn is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke and has worked at Little Big Horn College, Rocky Mountain College, and with several drug prevention programs. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Colorado and she and her husband have five children, 19 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Rita Wells grew up in a union family in Billings and is a proud graduate of the Billings Public Schools and Eastern Montana College, class of 1987. During her 25 year teaching career with School District 2 where she worked as an orchestra specialist, Rita became an active member in the Billings Education Association and MEA-MFT. Since 2016, she has served the BEA as a full time local president and is committed to working for candidates who support public education and the labor movement. Rita and her husband Rob have two grown daughters and enjoy playing music in various local performing groups.

Emma Foster grew up in Helena, where she attended Helena High School, competed for the Helena Lions Swim Team, and developed an early passion for progressive politics. She followed this passion to Seattle University, where she received a double major with honors in Women & Gender Studies and English, while competed for the university’s Division I swim team. Graduating in June, Emma has since moved to Bozeman to pursue work as an office manager.

Maureen Wicks was born and raised in Havre and graduated with honors from Montana State University. Maureen taught in the Bozeman Public Schools, Havre High School and at CJI schools in Chester. She has been involved in farming for over 35 years and continues to be active in the family farming operation south of Chester. A member of Women Involved in Agriculture, she was the first woman elected to the Liberty County FSA and served on that board for over a decade, until being elected to her current position as a Liberty County Commissioner in 2016.

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