Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman spoke on the Democratic National Convention stage.
PHILADELPHIA -- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman joined other House Democratic women on the national convention stage Tuesday as the party showcased some of the issues its candidates hoped to campaign on this fall.
On the night that former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton became the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California brought out Watson Coleman, seven other lawmakers and two women seeking election to the House in November.
Watson Coleman (D-12th Dist.), the first black woman elected to represent New Jersey in Washington, spoke about economics.
"America is strongest when we have an economy that works for everybody, not just for those at the top," she said. "If you're willing to work hard in our country, you deserve a secure financial future and a strong foothold on the American Dream: buying a home, sending children to college, and real retirement security."
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Watson Coleman called for spending money to improve roads, bridges, transit systems, water systems, energy grids and broadband, financed by closing tax loopholes and corporate taxes.
She also talked about student loan debt, saying, "We must make college more affordable."
That was a key plank in Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign and also was mentioned by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in his speech Monday night.
Other female Democrats talked about protecting abortion rights; supporting veterans; changing campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of special interests; keeping the Affordable Care Act, which has provided health coverage for millions of Americans; and stopping suspected terrorists from buying weapons.
"We are preparing to shatter the highest, strongest marble ceiling in our country by electing Hillary Clinton," Pelosi said. "Hillary Clinton knows that this moment is not just about one woman's achievement, but about what a woman president will mean for generations to come - for the dreams and hopes and aspirations of every woman and every girl and boy all across our land."
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook