Maria Shriver

Your Vote: Make it Matter

By Maria Shriver

In her speech before the Republican National Convention, Ann Romney said, "I don't think there's a woman in America who really expects her life to be easy."

That's a true statement. Women in particular are facing a set of modern realities and challenges in their evolving roles as breadwinners and caregivers.

Everything about the way we live and work in this country has been changing and our society's cornerstone institutions have simply not caught up.

I hope this awareness leads to a thoughtful national conversation, during this campaign and beyond, about the best ways to support the needs of women and families.

Yesterday, I took to Twitter to find out what women thought our political leaders could do to help make life better or more practical for their families.

Take a look at some of the responses below and join the conversation in the comments section.

Share your experience of being a women in today's America. Sound off on the issues you believe our presidential candidates should be addressing.

Women are 54% of the vote so both candidates should listen in and listen up.

Women: think about the power of your vote. Make it matter. Demand something for it. We are worth it.

@mariashriver Equal pay and RELIABLE, affordable day care.

— MrsAwesomesauce (@mrsawesomesauce) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver My life is manageable because I have flexible hours as a professor - flexibility in work hours is key with school-age kids.

— Terri Givens (@TerriGivens) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver More flexibility in jobs, more telecommuting. I have child with autism. With more flexibility, I could have remained working

— Phoebe Moncrief (@PhoebeFeed) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver more flextime options in the workplace for working parents

— Odd Broad (@theoddbroad) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver More flexible work schedules and hours for working moms, dads and busy families!

— Christine Geerts (@ChristineGeerts) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver introduce more laws around providing benefits to part-time workers.if I could work PT hrs to raise my son,life would be good!

— Nancy Fowler (@nafowler) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver Maternity benefits!Affordable quality childcare.Dep care benefits & tax credits that r porportionate to cost of care.

— Amy Tanjong (@AmyTanjong) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver benefits or some type of assistance to take care of aging parents with fixed incomes It is cost prohibitive #respectourelderly

— lisette roiz diez (@lisetteddo) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver Equal pay, Paid maternity leave, flexible hours, affordable childcare.

— Quimeras Andinas (@QuimerasAndinas) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver flexible hours for the multitude of multi-tasking mothers! Such a simple concept that has overwhelming benefits for a family!

— Dasa Dzierwa (@DasaDzierwa) August 29, 2012

@mariashriver Affordable childcare ($25000 per yr for two kids seems the norm but outrageous) - flex time to take kids/parents/self to appts

— Lori Fini (@LFiniOH) August 29, 201

@mariashriver Tax deductions for full day care costs!$5000 4 whole family is not adequate.

— A Medina (@amardina) August 30, 2012

@mariashriver affordable health care, flexible hours with equal pay, and affordable and accessible college for our children

— Lisa Hammond (@thebarefootceo) August 29, 2012

Now it's your turn. Share your thoughts below!