The Jersey Girls: How Four Suburban Women Won the Support of the Nation for the 9/11 Commission

Strategic Insights -

Four suburban women, Kristen Breitweiser, Patty Casazza, Lorie Van Auken, and Mindy Kleinberg, were ordinary homemakers from New Jersey living ordinary lives until the fateful day of September 11, 2001. Their husbands, all working for Cantor Fitzgerald, were among the thousands who lost their lives in the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center. The tragic loss of their loved ones propelled these women into a new reality, one of activism and advocacy for answers about the events of that day. With no prior experience in politics, they joined forces with other 9/11 families to push for a commission to investigate the attacks. Their quiet, unassuming demeanor belied their tenacity and determination to uncover the truth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The four women, Kristen Breitweiser, Patty Casazza, Lorie Van Auken, and Mindy Kleinberg, have been instrumental in shaping the 9/11 Commission, pushing for answers about the attacks that took the lives of their husbands.
  • These women had no prior experience in politics and came from ordinary suburban backgrounds, but their grief and determination triggered a unique blend of activism and advocacy.
  • They have been referred to as the "Jersey Girls" and have gained prominence on Capitol Hill for their work, with Commission Chairman Thomas H. Kean describing them as "some of the best questioners we've had."
  • The women have spent months pushing for Condoleezza Rice's public testimony, and when the White House failed to send her to last week's hearings, they walked out in silent protest.
  • They have befriended reporters and lawmakers, using their articulate manner and personal stories to persuade and move others.
  • Despite criticism from Republicans, the women insist they had no political agenda, relating their motivation solely to wanting to know why their husbands were killed.
  • They have used their skills in organizing and activism to make a difference, hosting rallies, staging demonstrations, and lobbying lawmakers to support their cause.

Statistics:

  • 300 people attended the first rally staged by the women in Washington, D.C., in the blistering heat.
  • The women have lobbied for a bigger budget for the 9/11 Commission and won their demands.
  • The House speaker, J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, was forced to retreat due to public pressure from the 9/11 families.

Sources:

  • "The Jersey Girls" by Gail Sheehy, The New York Observer
  • Quotation by Bruce Springsteen, music artist
  • Thomas H. Kean, Commission Chairman
  • Jay Lefkowitz, former Bush domestic policy adviser
  • Gail Sheehy, journalist
  • John Feehery, spokesman for House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert