October 28, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ray Masters
Phone: 717-476-1530
E-mail: gail4rep@mailexcite.com
Website: http://www.angelfire.com/pe/gail4rep

POCONO TOWNSHIP, PA - Gail Mastroberte, candidate for the 189th Legislative District asked voters to "make history" by sending to Harrisburg the county's first woman legislator.

According to the Pennsylvania Women's Political Network,  in the United States 21.6% of state legislators are women.  Among Pennsylvania's state representatives, 25 out of 203 representative are female (12.3%), and 6 out of 50 in the Senate. Pennsylvania ranks among the ten states with the LOWEST percentages of women state legislators, keeping company with Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina.

Also, Pennsylvania ranks 8th lowest in the nation for its percentage of female voters, who actually voted in the last three presidential elections.  Only 57.8 percent of women registered to vote go to the polls.

"Women have alot to offer the legislative process," said political newcomer, Gail Mastroberte.  "We have fought for the right to own property, to vote, and to make career choices for ourselves.  Women should have control over their own destinies."

"Governments throughout history have a poor track record in respecting women's individual rights.  We need the government to step out of the way and not hinder us."

She went on to talk how "privatization" benefits everyone.  "Market alternatives put power back in the hands of the individual.  The choices a person makes, today, can go a long way in determining the quality of their children's education, and the quality of their lives in retirement.  Privatization fosters personal responsibility while maximizing individual choice."

Mastroberte stated her admiration for civil rights leader Rosa Parks calling her "a courageous woman."  She continued, "when she refused to get to the back of the bus and helped organize a rider boycott, she used the power of economics to fight for her cause.   Because of that event, the Montgomery Bus System lost 65% of their customers.  By forcing the police to remove, arrest, and imprison her, and then agreeing to become a test case of segregation ordinances, one woman with a dream promoted the cause of equal rights using the power of her wallet."

Mastroberte also endorses the idea of women training themselves in self-defense.  "I refuse to be a victim by those who seek to violate our lives, dignity, and property."  She also championed the idea of victim's rights and restitution to victims by criminal offenders.

The Libertarian Party is running 836 candidates in 44 states for federal, state, and local office which represents 73% of the ballots across the country, according to figures compiled by Richard Winger, the publisher of Ballot Access News.

There are 22 Libertarians running for political office throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which include Governor, Lieutenant Governor, US Senate, US House, State Senate and House, two of which are women.

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party.  Approximately 26,000 are registered to the party throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, while 425 in Monroe County. There are 42 elected or appointed Libertarians throughout Pennsylvania serving in various capacities.

The 189th district was created in 1982 which encompasses the boroughs of Delaware Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono, and Stroudsburg, and the townships of Hamilton, Jackson, Middle Smithfield, Paradise, Pocono, Smithfield and Stroud.