I Look Forward to an Unremarkable Event
In this post at Women Over 40 Rock Mandy Crest writes,
In subtle and not-so-subtle ways, the political process is rife with sexism. But say what you will about Hillary, this country… our daughters… owe this woman an incredible debt of gratitude. Regardless of whether she wins or loses the presidency, she has blown the top right off whatever glass ceiling remained in American politics. . .
. . .Think about today’s young women, many intelligent, hopeful, and ambitious. They’re watching Hillary… and wondering if ambition and success are worth the price she’s paying. If not Hillary, then perhaps one of those young women WILL be a future president. Perhaps one will reach even higher.
To which I would like to respond with the following.
Yes, this is a major event that should have occurred before now. We should have had both serious candidates who were women, African American and other minorities by now. Hillary Clinton is leading the way and she is poorly served by the media and her opponents as I addressed in this article in which I explain why I am an Obama supporter because I am also a Clinton admirer. Essentially I am choosing Obama over Clinton was done based on what I think the country needs now rather than what women need now and I know that amongst some young women I am criticized for that choice. But that is not my point.
Strong, competent women (in the best sense of the phrase) have not been well received historically except as anomalies who were also subject to speculation. Hillary Clinton , is setting a fine example for our daughters and our younger sisters. So have other women firsts in public service such as Sandra Day O’Conner and one of my personal favorites, Madeleine Albright.
However, I would respectfully like to point out that many many ordinary and unsung women who entered the workplace, politics, military, and professional fields in increasing numbers over the last 50 years blazed the trails to open the way for this. We endured the criticism, resistance, and hateful labels and proved that women are capable of stellar performance and cool heads in crises. Hillary Clinton was obviously part of that movement and succeeded because of the characteristics that she is most criticized for.
Those of us who experienced the same remarks when we were in male-dominated professions do not need to imagine the type of pain that the hateful remarks and attitudes bring…we remember the pain. My goal as a woman is that successful inclusion of women fully into any profession or political position is when it ceases to be a remarkable event. When people of both genders look at us and simply say this is the person for the job now.
Final point, I am so pleased that Hillary Clinton is running this race and whether she wins the nomination or the election or not, I hope the next woman (or African American or Hispanic or Asian) to run for President will not be an event because of gender or ethnic heritage.
Going back to the blogger’s comment that you quoted, I think we will soon see if Hillary has blown the top off of the glass ceiling or is crashing into it.
More to your point, I actually think for a woman to run as a non-event, she’ll have to come out of the Pentagon, have been successful in command, in order to be seen as a potential commander in chief.
Just my opinion…
You have spoken to something I see often and feel quite strongly about, which is that in many ways the younger generation of women are painfully unaware of those who came before them and were trailblazers, and often at a high price.
It goes beyond politics really.
The choices women have today, they need to know they are standing on the shoulders of some brave and strong women!
Well, Moanna, I don’t see a pentagon woman in the white house anytime soon.
Bella, thanks for your comments, when I was young I was always impatient with older women thinking they were not sufficiently progressive enough. Most of the senior women in the Military when I was just in had no husbands and no children (a choice they literally HAD to make to continue in service)
Actually much of the change came as male officers’ wives became more involved in careers and the men had to take a more active role in child rearing/care that they “got it” and started changes that helped women officers.
Funny how smart we get with the benefit of hindsight.
I appreciate your comments…thanks for continuing to visit this old “libbers” site.