DENVER -- Early Money Is Like Yeast -- it helps raise the dough. At least, that was the theory that formed the acronym for Ellen Malcolm's EMILY's List.

Her Washington group has become one of the most influential political action committees in the nation helping women who support abortion rights win political races. But Malcolm says this year's drubbing of Hillary Clinton -- endorsed by EMILY's List -- raised the glass ceiling for women and taught her that sexism is still rampant in American politics.

"There was a glaring, nasty, sexist reaction to her that didn't generate a lot of backlash," Malcolm said in an interview with The Associated Press. "For the most part, it was open season on her. It was a warning to young women there is still sexism in our society."

Malcolm said a male candidate would have been praised for his tenacity staying in the race until the bitter end. Clinton was attacked for it.

"The concept that anyone should stop before the game is over is un-American," she said.

Political consultant Katy Atkinson agreed that Clinton was treated differently by the news media, but some of that may have been due to her husband and his administration. Atkinson agreed that women candidates have a tougher time than men getting elected.

"A woman has to be strong and still be feminine," she said.

She said many women are still angry with Barack Obama and the fact that Clinton was forced out.

"Women aren't very happy with the Obama campaign and I think they have some healing to do," she said.

Still, Malcolm said, "Hillary erased a lot of doubts over whether women have the ability to fight for the highest office in the country."

Malcolm said she founded EMILY's List to promote pro-choice, female candidates in reaction to the resurgence of anti-abortion Republicans. She said she realized women needed help if they were going to be players in the political game. Since then, the organization has raised $240 million.

"When we started in 1985, no one would take a woman candidate seriously. They'd ask for money and contributors would say, 'No, you're not a credible candidate.' It was a vicious circle," Malcolm said.

The group began recruiting candidates and trained them to cultivate support. The committee was limited to a $5,000 donation per candidate, so it sought other political action committees and individuals.

The strategy paid off. EMILY's List has helped elect 71 women to the U.S. House and 13 to the Senate, including Barbara Mikulski's 1987 election as Maryland's first female senator. This year, EMILY's List is backing 18 candidates for the U.S. House, two for the U.S. Senate and two for governor.

In Colorado, EMILY's List is backing former state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald in her three-way primary in the 2nd Congressional district and Betsy Markey to try to replace Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave in the 4th District.

The organization's Web site helps to raise money for candidates and provides information to voters.

Malcolm was in Denver last week to support Fitz-Gerald, who is locked in a three-way Democratic primary with Jared Polis and Will Shafroth.

The coalition is credited with helping Fitz-Gerald win her state Senate seat and help return control of the Legislature to Democrats in the last election.

That effort is part of a separate fund-raising arm of EMILY's List known as the Political Opportunity Program to help women win state and local office. The coalition said it helped 25 women in Colorado win, but no figures were available on how much was spent because a lot of the money went for training volunteers.

Republicans have a similar organization called The WISH List, or Women in the Senate and the House. It was founded in 1992 and has had similar success with Republican women running for office.

In 1993, the WISH List helped Christine Todd Whitman win election as the first woman governor in New Jersey history.