www.thekitchencabinet.us
June 14th 2010
Are Women Better Off Today?
by Sonja Eddings Brown
In the flurry of enthusiasm over last week’s women-energizing Primary elections, an important historic birthday was almost overlooked. Believe it or not, this Summer marks the 90th anniversary of women in America receiving the right to vote. It’s amazing to ponder as we see women like Meg Whitman from E-Bay aiming for California’s capitol, and former Hewlett Packard chief Carly Fiorina with her eye on the Senate in Washington. Women like Jan Brewer of Arizona digging her heels into the sand against the Obama administration on illegal immigration. Nikki Haley standing up to the establishment in South Carolina, and Michele Bachmann, only a second-term U.S. congresswoman, leading the discussion about deficit-spending on Capitol Hill. And of course…Sarah Palin flying overhead, our first Republican VP candidate ever, and successful in unexpected ways.
In the flurry of enthusiasm over last week’s women-energizing Primary elections, an important historic birthday was almost overlooked. Believe it or not, this Summer marks the 90th anniversary of women in America receiving the right to vote. It’s amazing to ponder as we see women like Meg Whitman from E-Bay aiming for California’s capitol, and former Hewlett Packard chief Carly Fiorina with her eye on the Senate in Washington. Women like Jan Brewer of Arizona digging her heels into the sand against the Obama administration on illegal immigration. Nikki Haley standing up to the establishment in South Carolina, and Michele Bachmann, only a second-term U.S. congresswoman, leading the discussion about deficit-spending on Capitol Hill. And of course…Sarah Palin flying overhead, our first Republican VP candidate ever, and successful in unexpected ways.
Listen to the voices of these amazing women and their messages to voters:
Women are clearly rising to positions where their wisdom and common sense can be helpful in re-setting the priorities of the country. It is high time. Ask yourself the important questions: Are women better off today? Is education better for our children? Is health care available and affordable for those who need it most ?
In the 21st Century, women’s right to vote is transforming into much-awaited influence on the ballot, and at the ballot box. Some ninety years later, women will outvote men 54% to 46% in this election year. Combining these impressive numbers with a large crop of effective, experienced and accomplished women candidates, will mean the possibility of women forming new, important alliances in Congress and in state legislatures. This dynamic could finally undermine the agendas of entrenched special interests.
John Boehner (R) OhioGreat men who are providing leadership on Capitol Hill now needn’t worry. Still, they could find themselves taking seats in the Senate next to Jane Norton from Colorado, Carly Fiorina from California, and perhaps Sharon Angle from Nevada. These reformers will be the new partners men will need to build alliances in the Senate and/or in the House. Fortunately, the women candidates we see coming forward in 2010 have long histories of working effectively and efficiently with men in business and in government. It will be a gathering of women who have skills, wisdom, and more than anything else, accountability on their minds.
The new, fresh, faces of women and men who are preparing to contest incumbent seats this Fall, are the faces of Americans who are motivated by the “audacity” of Obama administration officials and the new “Chicago” way that now defines business in Washington. Hope and Change has been played out as bullying, arrogance, and vote-buying. Democratic-voting Americans who did give Obama their hope are trying to be loyal believers, Republicans who didn’t are more and more ashamed that they didn’t stop Obama sooner, and Independents are racing to organize behind anyone who will try and stop the Obama Express right now.
Whether it is in our kitchens, our classrooms, our community centers, hospitals, or even on local soccer fields, women always seem closest to the ground and aware of what’s really happening in America. Government had best turn its ear to the concerns of women in 2010. We are forming a line in one of the most consequential times in history to elect candidates who are also the most principled and prepared candidates of our time. And w e can do it.
