Tis better to give than receive, may be the mantra many  espouse but few have given it credence quite like Democratic fundraiser Beth Dozoretz.

A fixture in Democratic circles since 92, Dozoretzget ready to raise your eyebrows needed some prodding by her husband before she discovered her passion for politics.

I was a big advocate for women, too, says the Worcester, Mass. native, who spent much of her professional life as an executive in the apparel industry. I made it my job to make sure women had great opportunities.

Dozoretz made her foray into the world of fundraising when she received a call in 92 from then-Senator Chuck Robb of Virginia, asking her to raise money for women in the Senate.

I remember sitting next to Senator Metzenbaum and thinking how great it was. I got hooked and raised a lot of money. I like fundraising because its a way that I can contribute to the process. Whos in office influences the water we drink, the air we breathe. Dozoretz served as Finance Chair for the Democratic National Committee in 1999, the first woman to hold the position.

Since stepping off the full-time career path, Dozoretz has made personal study of women she admires: Hillary Clinton; Chairman and CEO of IHOP, Julia Stewart; and playwright Eve Ensler, to name a few. If you choose to have a family, you will never live another day without guilt, there will always be more on your plate than you can handle. Dont be too hard on yourself and know whats authentic for you. You need to speak your mind and be willing to take risks. I always speak truth to power, maybe thats why I get myself into a few tussles.

At Harvards Kennedy School of Government, where she is Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Center for Public Leadership, Dozoretz recently spoke on a panel about her experiences as a woman in the business and political worlds. I told the young women its quite likely that the boys dont want the girl in the sandbox. Anticipate it and never give up.