“We were all absolutely shocked” upon learning that there hadn’t been a female debate moderator in 20 years, says Sammi Siegel, who, along with high school classmates Emma Axelrod and Elena Tsemberis, is closing in on a goal of garnering 150,000 signatures on a petition to have a woman host one of the 2012 presidential debates. “We want Americans to be able to see women on the political stage in positions of prominence and authority and power so that the country can view women and men equally,” says Tsemberis. The three teens from New Jersey are hoping their petition encourages the Commission on Presidential Debates to have a woman moderate for the first time in 20 years, and for what would be only the second time in the history of these debates. “It’s really, really exciting to see all the support behind our petition,” says Axelrod.
You can sign the petition here.
