If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
While women's numbers in the military -- and in elected office -- may be dwarfed by their male counterparts, women in Congress are giving new meaning to the phrase "pulling rank."
We do not live in a meritocracy, not even in the most privileged corners of the country where diverse, academically driven kids enjoy access to what might legitimately be seen as unlimited opportunities. This idea deeply disturbs people.
Women make up only 18.3 percent of Congress, ranking us 77th in the world for gender representation in politics. And that's not going to improve unless we take a hard look at why even today's young women demonstrate a political ambition gap.
Yes, women have moved beyond the title of "secretary" but we haven't reached our full governmental stride where the title "Madam Secretary" is commonplace. With all the movement in the women's movement, the time is ripe to change that.
Given the current and future demographics of the U.S., Democrats and Republicans have to expand their networks, not just to more diverse communities but also down the ballot. to local and state races where the pipeline to Congress begins.
I don't buy into a "biological difference" that cannot be scientifically proven. But how could I reconcile my perspective with the mounds of research indicating that women do in fact lead differently?
The question is this: What is our responsibility as women when it comes to supporting, celebrating or critiquing trailblazing women whom we may not agree with, like or respect.
Here are five simple commandments on how to avoid the sexism trap when you are a male politician who feels the need to charm a woman in public.
For every piece of good news we hear about women assuming new leadership roles, there is more evidence that our current political culture fails to encourage qualified women to run for office.
This peak in representation is the first step in overcoming a plateau on the policy front. What can we accomplish with a tipping point of women in office? Imagine the results.
What has been lost in this conversation about "balance" and the pressures of managing life and work and family is some unapologetic, bold insistence that we have more women in visible positions of power and influence.
Across the globe, women are making their way in this world, step-by-step, supporting, leading and raising the next generation alongside the amazing men in their lives.
"There are no words" is a saying people like to use, when something is so terrible, so outside of the realm of normalcy that speechlessness seems necessary. I've got quite a few words: Unconscionable, outrageous, offensive.
Eighteen years after her powerful speech in Beijing declaring that women's rights are human rights, Hillary Clinton is still fighting to advance women's rights. I have no doubt that she will not rest on her laurels, and neither should we.
We benefit when women win. Women make good public officials: They care, they collaborate, and they fight for their communities. Congratulations, second district, for making a good decision for all of us.
Let's all seek inspiration from the women who act as though every day is International Women's Day. These are the women trailblazers of our time like the Hillarys, the Malalas, and the Sheryl Sandbergs. They are all crafting a roadmap to gender equality, and it is up to us what we do with it.
