The U.S. Democratic Congresswoman representing Pennsylvania’s 5th District, Mary Gay Scanlon, visited Social Studies teacher Chelsea Marchetti’s Women’s Studies class during 1st Block, April 23rd.
Congresswoman Scanlon had visited Haverford High School in prior years, and her commitment to her community is reflected in her decision to run for office. She was inspired to run for Congress when, in 2018, a redistricting lawsuit opened up an opportunity for a Democratic representative in what had been an historically Republican district. The Republican incumbent, Pete Meehan, announced he would not be running that year due to his involvement in a MeToo scandal, and Scanlon was initially searching for a Democrat to support. She soon realized this was an opportunity for her district to gain better representation, as gerrymandering and inappropriate conduct had previously hindered that. Within the span of 10 days, she went from looking for someone to campaign for to choosing to run herself. She was sworn in as Congresswoman for Pennsylvania’s 5th district on November 13th, 2018, and has continued to serve in that role ever since. Her priorities include voting rights, access to justice, education, economic growth, gun control, women’s rights, and ending hunger. These were among the topics she chose to discuss with students.
Representative Scanlon sat with Marchetti’s class and participated in a free-flowing discussion, answering student questions about women’s rights, her experiences in Congress, her current goals, and her aspirations for the future.
Throughout the discussion, she emphasized her passion for human rights. She spoke about our country’s present treatment of immigrants, explaining that current Republicans are presenting unconstitutional bills that deport immigrants without due process or legal cause. She praised what immigrants in our country do to strengthen the nation, saying, “They bring ideas and vitality…they have a lot of grit and gumption.” She discussed how she had begun coordinating with local immigration agencies in preparation for the second Trump presidency.
Scanlon addressed the SAVE Act, and explained why she voted against it, calling it “one of the tactics of the 21st century for voter suppression.” She argued that the Act selectively determines which forms of ID are valid for voter registration. It was drafted by the same individuals who defended former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Scanlon made it clear that she stands firmly with the average voter and intends to continue opposing legislation like the SAVE Act that suppresses Americans’ voices.
When asked what it is like to be a woman in Congress, an institution historically dominated by men, Congresswoman Scanlon noted the differences in how men and women approach problems. “Men have a zero-sum game mentality… for me to win, you have to lose,” she said. In contrast, she believes women tend to value compromise and teamwork, allowing everyone to gain something. She said that it has been shown, and she herself has seen, that women bring new perspectives and help men to shift focus toward more pressing issues.
Regarding women’s rights, she highlighted her focus on expanding childcare opportunities for parents and improving women’s health care. “If you want to have nightmares… read Project 2025,” Scanlon warned. Specifically, she drew the class’s attention to the Comstock Act, a law from 1873 that had gone unenforced for decades until recently. The Act prohibits the mailing and delivery of any “article or thing designed, adapted, or intended for producing abortion.” This effectively halts any woman’s access to medication they need to have a safe abortion. Congresswoman Scanlon also emphasized that there is “so much focus on pregnancy and not the entire health of women,” especially considering the U.S. has a higher maternal mortality rate than many other developed nations.
Finally, Congresswoman Scanlon encouraged everyone in the class and in younger generations to “put yourself out there” to create change. She said it is important to contact representatives, even those who oppose your views, as constituent input can influence how lawmakers vote. She was emphatic in her support of young voices in government and mentioned her Congressional Youth Cabinet, which allows rising high school juniors and seniors in Pennsylvania’s 5th district the opportunity to learn about policy-making and share ideas with elected officials.
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon serves as a reminder that speaking up matters. In a time when it feels like many people screaming for progress are screaming into a void, she is proof that there are members of our federal, state, and local governments fighting for justice. As she emphasized in the final minutes of her discussion with Marchetti’s Women’s Studies class, “We the People” must act too. We must call our representatives, attend protests, and be loud.
