Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF Communications Fellow

In January, WCF President/CEO Sam Bennett was a guest on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews. Along with NOW President Terry O’Neill, Bennett discussed the sexism and double standards that greatly affected Martha Coakley’s race for Massachusetts Senate.

During the energetic banter, Bennett made it no secret to Matthews all the viewers that double standards still cripple the campaigns of female candidates. Bennett touched upon how the media scrutinized her serious demeanor, being called “ice queen” as well as the media’s response to her opponent’s Cosmopolitan centerfold:

“Bennett: Her opponent, nude male centerfold gets a total pass, and here’s Martha Coakley called an ice queen, if she was a guy, Chris, she would have been called dignified.

Matthews: And if she had done the centerfold?

Bennett: She wouldn’t even have been in the race. It wouldn’t even happen. It would have been a deal-killer for her. It’s about a double standard, it happens all the time.”

Watch Bennett’s engaging conversation with Matthews on WCF’s YouTube channel.

After 32 incredible years of serving as the President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Kim Gandy is moving on to be a resident Fellow this fall at the Institute of Politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School. I want to congratulate Terry O’Neill, NOW’s new president. As the new kid on the block in the women’s community, it’s my job to learn the ropes from the women who have dedicated the whole of their professional lives striving to help create a level playing field for women in this nation.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with many longstanding women’s leaders, and I’ve been completely blown away by the openness, receptivity and generosity I’ve encountered. By all these benchmarks, Kim Gandy stands out. Recently unable to stay at my usual digs in D.C., Kim, husband and know-their-own-mind daughters lent me a pillow, a shower and a delicious barbecue. Leading the largest feminist organization nationally with 500,000 women and 5,987 chapters strong, Kim is also a dedicated mom and wife with warmth and humor to spare. No wonder she’s so universally well-liked.

Kim’s departure is self-admittedly bittersweet:

“Term limits are good, but frustrating when there’s still so much to do!”

Her concern?

“Fifty years after Brown vs. the Board of Education I had higher hopes for the progress we would have made and the progress that would have been sustained.”

Fifty years later, we still aren’t where we need to be—lagging well behind the rest of the world in the number of women in public leadership. I don’t know about you, but I’m mad as heck and ain’t gonna take it anymore!

So what am I dedicating the hours I have left on this planet to? Getting more women elected in this nation. Not only do women at the legislative and decision-making table ensure better results and a healthier nation, it sends all the right messages to the women and especially the young women of this nation.

After fifty years, we should have come further. Join me and support a woman who has the courage to run for office today, at all levels, because we need women at all levels running for office.

TODAY’S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Donate today to a women candidate. Our nation will be stronger for it!

This post was submitted by Jamie Bence, one of WCF’s Summer 2009 Fellows.

This weekend NOW elected a new president of its national organization.  Terry O’Neill served as the group’s membership vice president from 2001 to 2005.  O’Neill will use her political, teaching, and legal expertise to continue NOW’s important work of ensuring women’s equality.

WCF applauds their continued commitment to pro-choice activism, responsibility in media and ending sex discrimination.  We congratulate NOW on their decision and wish them the best on a successful and smooth transition!