If we learned one thing after last month’s election, it’s that the Republican Party isn’t reaching female voters with its message.

I’ve never advocated for electing a woman simply because she’s a woman, I oppose gender quotas, and I despise playing gender politics. Still when considering who should be the “face” of the Republican Party, the GOP would be foolish not to take advantage of the slate of strong, talented, fiscally conservative female lawmakers. Women like Rep. McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (NH), and Gov. Susanna Martinez are poised to communicate the message that Liberty is No War on Women.

Sadly the GOP lost some key female lawmakers in November – namely IWF’s 2012 Woman of Valor, Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) and Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-N.Y.). This ought to serve as a lesson to the leaders of the Republican Party. It can no longer afford to ignore the remaining female voices that understand and can communicate how progressive policies fail women.

It’s time to make women the face of the GOP.