The Honorable Susan Molinari

U.S. Representative from New York (March 20, 1990–August 2, 1997)

Raised in a political family, Susan Molinari’s relationship with her father, Congressman Guy Molinari, greatly influenced her road to Congress. As the only Republican on the city council of New York, and the daughter of a well-known politician, Molinari used her notoriety and experience to win a seat in the U.S. House. She made history as only the second daughter to directly succeed her father in Congress. Her youth and political lineage garnered the attention of the Republican Leadership and the respect of her colleagues. In the 105th Congress (1997–1999), the New York Representative became one of the highest-ranking Republican women when she was elected vice chair of the Republican Conference.

In her interview, Molinari recalls how she and other Republican women had new opportunities—increased speaking engagements and plum committee assignments, for example—after the GOP gained control of the House in 1995. Embracing the role of a surrogate representative for women nationwide and abroad during her five terms in the House, Molinari describes how she used committee assignments and congressional delegations as a platform to address gender inequalities and to craft legislation to help women and families. In her personal life, Molinari made headlines when she married fellow Representative Bill Paxon of New York, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Molinari gave birth to a daughter while serving in Congress and speaks about the press attention this event received, as well as how she and her husband balanced being new parents with their congressional careers.