Napolitano: Women's issues affect all

WASHINGTON, March 4 (UPI) -- What matters to women matters to America, attendees at the gala honoring the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues heard.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson spoke during the event presided over by incoming co-chairwomen Reps. Mary Fallin, R-Okla., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., The Hill reported Wednesday.

"The issues of women are the issues of America," Napolitano said. "I am one of many women in Barack Obama's Cabinet. None of us hold the title of secretary of Women's Issues."

Outgoing chairwoman Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., noted the number of women in Congress has increased to 18 percent.

"We have fabulous leadership on both sides of the aisle," she said.

The sole male lawmaker at the gala was Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, who attended with his wife. He agreed with Napolitano's assessment, the Washington publication said.

"She's right -- these are not women's issues, they're America's issues. I want to be here," the former Idaho governor said. "Talent is not confined to one gender or another."