THE first question to Ms Kathleen Kennedy Townsend last night was blunt. It came from Ms Felicity Huston, one of the 70 Northern Ireland Women's Coalition candidates standing in the forthcoming elections. Did she have any advice for women candidates on how to raise money quickly? Where should they direct their "begging letters".
Ms Kennedy Townsend told her that organisations such as Emily's List were important long term; short term they should approach individuals - preferably rich women.
Ms Kennedy Townsend, a daughter of Ethel and the late Bobby Kennedy, is niece and god daughter of the US Ambassador, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith, who co hosted a reception for her with the National Women's Council of Ireland last night. Ms Kennedy Townsend, is Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and is married with four daughters.
The Ambassador's residence hummed with talk of women and politics. Some 12 Women's Coalition candidates attended seeking campaign tips, support and money.
The chairwoman of the NWCI, Ms Noreen Byrne, concentrated on the need to support women candidates and TDs in the South at the next general election.
Ms Kennedy Townsend, gave a short speech addressing the challenges facing women in politics and gave them some optimistic pointers. In the US at present, men who showed they were addressing the gender gap had an automatic advantage which translated into a 2 per cent "plus" for President Clinton.
Women candidates were seen as hardworking, serious, sincere and good on issues such as education, health care, the elderly and domestic violence.