Women won several high-profile races on Tuesday at both the state and national levels.  I am celebrating these victories, even for women whose politics and positions I don’t share.

When was the last political “year of the woman”? 1992.  We are past overdue.

In today’s rundown: Dorothy I. Height, a leader in the gender and civil rights movements, has died.  |  Today is Equal Pay Day.  |  The League of Women Voters withdraws its support from a bill that would give the District a vote in Congress.  |  Alexandria officials are worried the city is losing its racial and economic diversity.

In today’s rundown: A historic number of women are in space today.  |  Advocates for low-income D.C. residents are concerned about the current proposed budget, under review by the city council this week.

In today’s rundown: Getting girls interested in tech careers.  |  Why women politicians aren’t involved in the same scandals in which men are involved.

In today’s rundown: A rising poverty rate has a negative impact on the entire District.  |  Funding for people with AIDS is held up in Prince George’s County.  |  One blogger feels that TANF doesn’t meet the needs of victims of domestic violence.  |  Was Nancy Pelosi the reason health-care reform was passed?

In today’s rundown: The Women’s Foundation names a new president | Startling new statistics highlighted by Defeat Poverty DC | The Women’s Club at the White House

– Washington Area Women’s Foundation has named a new president.  Nicola (Nicky) Goren will lead The Women’s Foundation forward in its efforts to help lift low-income women and girls out of poverty.  Click here for more details.

In today’s rundown: The launch of a new effort to focus the 2010 election season on the damaging effects of poverty in D.C. | Why doctors are teaming up with attorneys to help low-income patients | A new look at housing affordability

Days after the District made the shocking announcement that $20 million had been cut from the homeless services budget for the 2010 fiscal year, advocates and organizations that provide shelter for the homeless are still reeling. One of The Women’s Foundation grantee partners is reaching out for help – as winter approaches and the organizations that assist the homeless face a crisis.

President Obama signed the economic stimulus package into law yesterday afternoon.  Many people in the nation’s capital and state capitals around the country will be combing through it in the days and weeks ahead to understand the scope and breadth of what it does – and doesn’t – do.

Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Mary’s Center to learn about the work done by our organization for families and children in the nation’s capital.