In an email to supporters, titled "Let's Do It, Ladies!", today, embattled city council member Jean Godden portrayed her campaign as a battle for women's representation in office. Godden, a two-year council incumbent, is being challenged by four men, including deputy King County Prosecutor Maurice Classen, who has raised more than $70,000 and has nearly $50,000 on hand---impressive totals for a first-time challenger. (With $133,000 total raised and $70,000 on hand, Godden has raised less, and has less money on hand, than any other incumbent who's up this year).

Godden's email, a clumsy play for feminist sympathies, reads in part:

It's sad but true that, while Seattle (and Washington state) used to lead the country in electing women to office, we're slipping behind.  Can you believe that once 8 of the 9 Seattle City Council seats were filled by women? Now we're down to 3.

As the council's Budget Chair, I know that women's voices matter in public office. We must stand together to make sure that women have a place at the table planning Seattle's future.

Will you donate $65, or whatever you can, to show the critical importance of women's voices?

This week, my goal is to raise $1,000 to show how important women are in this election. Gentlemen in the room, this means you too. Your support is essential to making sure that our city council reflects our citizenry.

I am not only a longtime activist for women’s rights, I bring values respected by women to the budget process I chair.  In the tough economic climate, I found a way to restore domestic violence services, social services, and funding for health clinics.  All issues that uniquely affect women.

On one hand, Godden's right: She has fought to restore funding cuts that disproportionately impact women, including a domestic-violence intervention program that Mayor McGinn's budget cut, and opposed McGinn's decision to eliminate two divisions of the human services department devoted to sexual-assault and domestic-violence prevention.

On the other hand, if I had to name the lead pro-women vote on the council—and by that I mean the lead advocate for city policies and programs that benefit women---I'd have to go with tireless social justice crusader, Nick Licata.

And for the record, Godden won office in 2003 by taking out Judy Nicastro---a young woman and, at the time, the council's most outspoken feminist.