Emily's List Presidential forum reflects growth of women's influence

"There's no way Democratic presidential candidates can ignore EMILY's List," said Steven Weiss, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group. "They have a huge influence in the Democratic Party, and its not just financial. EMILY's List, basically, represents the Democratic women's movement. There are few groups in Washington that can match their influence."

EMILY's List was founded in 1985 by 25 women lead by Ellen Malcolm as a way to raise money for Democratic women candidates who supported abortion rights. Its name came from the phrase Early Money Is Like Yeast (it raises dough).