Secretary?!!

A few days ago my daughter phoned from college with the news that she had been asked to run for the Executive Branch of student government at college. This comes as no surprise since this year Elizabeth was elected to serve on her student Senate. Bubbling with excitement, Elizabeth relayed, "John is running for President, Fentriss for Vice-President, James for Treasurer...and they want me to join their slate and run for Secretary."

"Secretary?!" I queried.

"Yes, and the election is next week. We had a meeting to write our party platform and target our voter base. Each of us has an assignment. I am going to make the flyers!" As she chattered on and on, the inevitable chorus of thoughts began to resonate in my mind, "Secretary? Why not President? Or even Vice-President?"

Having been surrounded by the inner workings of the body politic has clearly imprinted the importance of electing women on Elizabeth. In fact, my daughter has been well trained to run for office and she has the courage to take a risk. Most important, she is confident in her abilities. She is a young woman who isn't fettered by the old feminist lore of how, but instead thinks how high.

For the past seven years I have dedicated all of my energies to develop an organization to support women who are running for office in California. My idea of a vacation with my girlfriends includes traveling to Washington, D.C. to march for choice. I just can't help but wonder why she did not comprehend the stereotype in what her team proposed for her -- the common assumption that the woman's role should be the "Secretary."

After hanging up the phone, I contemplated a common reflection for 21st century women, "What advancements have we made as women and how will the next generation of leaders, like my daughter, make the women's movement their own?"

Long ago, I remember chaperoning a field trip to the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. During the tour, I remember another mother saying that she would not tell her daughter that she can have it all because you can't. Did she feel encouraging her to reach for the top was an exercise in folly? How can women hope to break sexist barriers if they don't dare to risk it all?

Now I question, "Does Elizabeth want it all?" I don't know the answer what all is anymore. I do know that Elizabeth does not care what office she is running for. She just wants to opportunity to serve. For her the thrill simply comes from an invitation by the Junior class boys to join the slate. She is already immersed in developing their website and how to get out the vote.

At times, the next generation of women leaders appears to be oblivious to the barriers that my generation experienced. Or, if they are aware of them, they no longer hold the same importance for them. They will work within the parameters that are set. We fought to not be pigeon-holed as the Secretary, but to win the right to be the President. We consciously knew that we had to work twice as hard, be three times as efficient and strive for the opportunity to succeed.

For now, Elizabeth is content to stay busy with her campaign. As I write this, she is probably outside of the dining commons asking for votes. She has the courage. She has the training. Elizabeth can do anything she puts her mind to and I'm sure she will make a wonderful secretary. But next year, I'm sure she'll make a great President.

Comments

[mredder4]

There's also the likelihood that Secretary was the one open spot on the ticket that still needed someone to run for. I would assume that if the author's daughter wanted to be president or vice-president enough, she would be running her own ticket with her in one of those spots.

Maybe the problem is the author's issue with the word "secretary". In reality, a secretary is someone who is in charge of records and correspondence, whether for an individual or for a business or organization. In Feministou­trageistan­, 'secretary' is one of those red-flag words where if the word is heard, everything must stop and come crashing down until the proper context of the word can be determined. Was it insulting? Did someone use it to degrade a woman by calling her a secretary?

Many of the highest offices in our governments are titled "Secretary of...". It's time for the older generation of women who get their backs arched by this simple word to wake up. Many men have also held "secretary" positions over the years, but you don't see any men making a big deal over the title of the station, do you?

[Lisa Guest - Huffpost Blogger]

I appreciate what you are asking of women and your daughter. I never ran for secretary. I always ran for president. I lost once in the 6th grade but never after that...

I was more corporate, ready to go out and conquer the world at 18 than ever since. I burnt out early. I was so busy at such a young age. I learned quickly that no level of accomplishment or acquisition ever totally satisfies once one is fully engaged in the rat race...

I don't regret my leadership experiences, but I think the push for top billing, if it isn't from a place deep inside the one going for the ride, can cause problems down the road. I also feel that a woman can't have it all without losing some very important parts of herself in the process. The question isn't about having it all... to me it's about deciphering what is truly of value and planning a life engaged in that pursuit. Doing something because others say you should or for ulterior and unconscious motives can drain more than they add to one's life.

Louise Hays says this is the time of women to elevate themselves to positions of power. Women and girls have sensitivities necessary to govern wisely for one and all. Thankfully there have been women like you helping others to move into positions of power. Looks like your daughter is proud of you and standing in your footsteps.

[oustfan]

Excellent points. I agree completely. However, I don't think this is an issue of sexism at all. Men can't have "it all" either. We all must choose.