Three weeks ago, I spoke to a gathering of nearly 600 women in New York City for the Women's Campaign Fund's Parties of Your Choice gala. Looking out on the crowd, I saw the faces of women from different races, professions, ages -- and yes, believe it or not, from opposite ends of the political spectrum -- who had come together to celebrate women running for elected office across the United States this year.
So, what was it that got women to look past the "R" or the "D" next to their name to come together in one room? Undoubtedly, it was their shared belief that the United States must work to close the gender gap in electoral politics and garner more support for women running for office.
These women all know we as a country lose when more women aren't elected to office. As it stands today, the United States trails behind much of the world -- ranking a dismal 94th in the number of women in our national legislature. Women hold only 17% of the seats in Congress. Only 22% of all statewide elective executive office positions are currently held by women. Only six out of 50 states have a female governor.
Given that women make up over 50% of our population and hold over half of the nation's wealth, these statistics are shocking. We can and must do better.
As Karen Tumulty recently pointed out, in 1992 the U.S. seemed poised to "do better" and to bring more women into the political fray. Dubbed the "Year of the Women," the number of women in the Senate doubled, and female membership in the House went from 28 to 47.
Fast forward almost twenty years, however, to the 2010 election cycle, which marked the United States' first backslide in electing more women to office in over 30 years, and it seems we've moved backwards. How did we decline so rapidly at the same time that women's income rose more than 60%? How did we fall back when women were making consistent gains in the workplace and the boardroom?
The answers to these pressing questions can be found the Vote with Your Purse study, released today by the organization I lead, She Should Run, working in conjunction with the Center for Responsive Politics.
Looking at data from the 2010 election, the study reveals women's political giving decreased considerably from previous years. Nationwide, women contributed only 26% of the total amount given to candidates, political action committees (PACs), and party committees in that election year, which is down from 31% in the 2008 cycle. It is not a coincidence that the number of women elected decreased that same year.
For better or worse, money matters in politics. Women can't ignore the fact that money, along with voting and volunteering, is critical to leveling the playing field between men and women in politics.
Prior Vote with Your Purse studies have shown women do not necessarily think their money matters in showing support for a candidate's campaign and the issues she champions. They do not tend to connect political leadership with positive, productive social change. Women also do not view political giving as a civic responsibility, like voting or volunteering for a campaign.
Bottom line: If you don't give, you don't have a voice. Women must increase their political giving to other women in order to affect change and close the gap in public office gender parity. Data from the CPR suggests that if a majority of the female population from different age group, ethnicities and backgrounds gave just $5 to a female running for office this year, it would help women make significant strides towards balance in political representation. So, next time you are about to spring for a cab ride or a slice of pizza, consider doing something more productive with that $5. You can invest in change through supporting women running for office.
This election year, women voters have the chance to make a difference in the outcome of elections. If every woman "votes with their purse" to support female candidates, we can ensure 2012 will be a historic year for women in politics and, ultimately, help bring about serious change.
To view the list of candidates that Women's Campaign Fund is supporting in the 2012, please visit our website.
Follow Sam Bennett on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WCFonline
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 |
|
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Votes (270 to win) |
332 | 206 |
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 65,899,660 | 60,932,152 |
| Percent | 51.1% | 47.2% |
| Democrats* | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Senate | 53 | 47 |
| Seats gained or lost | +2 | -2 |
| New Total | 55 | 45 |
| Democrats | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats won | 201 | 234 |
Americans, of both sexes, still have problems voting for women, and women are generally forced to run against the male paradigm of what constitutes a viable political candidate. Shouldn't cry, can't show too much emotion. Then they are slammed if they act like a man, slammed it they don't.
Yes we are really that shallow and too used to having old white men running the government.
So, here is how we break it.
We have 100 Senators, two from each state. Lets assign one from each state to women only, and the other to men only.
This will give women a chance to run as women and find their own voice and the voters will get used to seeing that and voting for women on the national scene.
It could break down some the sexism that is still rampant in the country allowing for more parity in representation.
Why don't I advocate a breakdown along the lines of race? Because sexism is far stronger than racism. So work on getting rid of the worst of our discriminatory practices and maybe the rest will fall.
You do realize what "For the people, By the people" means right? Whoever the public so chooses get's to hold office.
You cannot reserve office for someone based on race or sex or anything else. All that matters is the vote of the people, that is the way it should stay.
People should ignore the policies they actually care about and vote "Female" regardless of the candidate's stance on issues?
You do realize that the Arizona's abortion bill was proposed by a Woman? You do realize that Michelle Bachmann proposed an identical bill to the House of Reps last year ... Right?
But hey, keep thinking in black and white, and vote "Female" instead of voting based on the issues that actually matter.
I swear, this is a game for Feminists, it's as if they don't even care about equality, they just want to play catch-up with the guys.