Tina Frawley: Woman & Lover of Politics asks Do Politics Love Women?

I am a woman.  And, I love politics.  Can they go together?   Some say No!

A recent dinner with friends, revealed the unwavering opinion of one woman
that another woman absolutely cannot be president of this country.  I’m
not quoting directly, but there was even a relation drawn between women in
political power and high levels of testosterone.  If you want this
position, you must be practically a man?!  I’m not kidding when I tell
you how floored I was.  I’m not even sure I was able to muster a
response, which in itself is highly unusual for me, particularly when
politics is on the table for discussion.

This gets me thinking, do we only support girl power in others when it’s
family related?  New babies, a new home, new job (as long as it’s not in
politics) and cute shoes.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying that
women only think about those things, but is there a line that some of us
just aren’t willing to cross? Despite the years and the leaps and bounds,
is it really still a man’s world.  And, worse, are we willing to just
accept that?

As the saying goes, behind every good man, is an even better woman kicking
his butt.  Of course, there are many variations of this saying, some more
colorful than others, but the sentiment remains the same.  It’s one I
believe to be true.

Generally speaking, women are the caregivers and nurturers in the home. Women are the organizers and planners in the office.  We are the sounding
boards for our husbands.  We are the cheerleaders for success of our loved
ones.  We are the glue that binds the family.  Good mothers and wives,
daughters and sisters.  We can do it all.  We work hard, we play with our
children, we take care of our homes and we stand by our men.  We cry for
our parents and we laugh with our best friends.  We multi-task late into
the night and we begin again early the next day.  From the kitchen to the
conference room, it’s all in a days work.

When it comes to politics and corporate positions of authority, is there a
compromise that must be made?  Can we really be all of the aforesaid, and
still be good at our jobs?  Can we wear a pantsuit to work without the
innuendo that it implies?  Do we have to choose whether to be a woman or a
politician?

Currently, there are twenty countries worldwide that have a woman as its
President or Prime Minister.  What an achievement!  I look at these women
with admiration and awe.  The hurdles they have overcome to be in these
positions, most of us will probably never know.  The adversity to stay in
those positions is probably a daily struggle.  But, it is most likely a
silent struggle because to speak up would be a call for accusations of a
woman’s weakness and incapability.

It is a sad day in this age when women still cannot be accepted into the
roles traditionally held by men based on gender alone.  It doesn’t matter
if you’re a Democrat, Republican or Independent, if you’re a stay at
home Mom or the head of your own company.  As women, we should
enthusiastically support other women who make strides for us all, whether
it is in politics or elsewhere.