Women and Politics

This post submitted by WCF Fellow, Stephanie Glover.

Last month, I read that more women than ever were running for president of Afghanistan. Of the 41 candidates for president listed on the August 20th ballot, two were women. I was both surprised and disappointed by this number. Considering the atrocious treatment and oppression of women in Afghanistan, it seemed like a great achievement to have even two women running, but it also highlights how far women still have to go. Notably, neither woman who ran received much attention or many votes on election day.

Since learning about the low number of women in politics in Afghanistan, I have been wondering about the international statistics of women in power. According to the Department of State, there are currently 194 independent states around the world, but only 24 of those countries have female leaders (including unelected leaders, like Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom). These women come from diverse backgrounds and represent nations from Germany to Liberia to Chile to India. No matter where these women live or where they come from, they represent a major advancement for the rights of women and a shift towards greater gender parity across the globe.

The United States, however, has never seen a woman in the position of President or Vice President. Women such as Hillary Clinton and Gerladine Ferraro have come close, and as Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi is third in line for the presidency.  Close, but no banana. How do we ensure that having a woman leading our country isn’t just a dream? ??First, it’s important to encourage women to get involved at the local and state levels. Many women don’t think of running for office, even if they have the skills and qualifications. We need talented women leaders serving at all levels of office who can rise to positions of leadership at the federal level—including president.

This is why we created our She Should Run program. Before they can serve in office, women must consider running. Who do YOU know that should run? Asking a few a women to run for office today could mean that in the future the United States will be listed among the many countries with women leaders.

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

The National Journal reports this week that the Obama Administration has a larger proportion of women in top positions than any of its predecessors.  Currently, President Obama’s team is 34% female, compared to 26% of President George Bush’s administration in 2001.

The new administration also brings unprecedented racial diversity to the White House.  Only nine of the 22 officials designated by Obama as having Cabinet rank are white men.

Here are a few outstanding women working in the Obama Administration:

• Melody Barnes: She serves as the President’s Domestic Policy advisor and Director of the Domestic Policy Council.  Barnes has been charged with issues relating to health care reform, civil rights and women’s health.
• Cassandra Butts:  As Deputy White House Council, Butts performs a central role in White House Legal Affairs.
• Hillary Clinton: Obama’s former challenger is currently serving as the Secretary of State, the third woman in U.S. history to hold that position.
• Lisa Jackson: As administrator of the EPA, Jackson leads a nationwide staff of just over 18,000 civil servants.  She is the first African American to hold that position.
• Katie Johnson: Just 27 years old, Johnson serves as the president’s personal secretary.  However, what Johnson lacks in age she makes up for in experience, having previously worked for Rahm Emmanuel, Hillary Clinton and Parris Glendening.
• Valerie Jarrett:  She is a Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Obama administration.  Jarrett was also pivotal in the Obama-Biden Transition team.
• Janet Napolitano:  The former Arizona governor serves as the third Secretary of Homeland Security.
• Susan Rice: The US representative to the United Nations was confirmed unanimously by the Senate in the first days of the Obama Administration.
• Desirée Rogers: A former Chicago business tycoon, Rogers has taken on the East Wing.
• Mona Sutphen: The White House Deputy Chief of Staff is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Despite the Obama Administration’s commitment to gender equality, women have still not reached parity in the White House.  At the current rate of increase, it will take almost 100 years until women reach gender parity in politics.  At WCF, we can’t wait that long.  Can you?

We’re psyched to announce that Sam Bennett is joining the WCF team as our new president!

Sam will bring great experience, leadership and passion to our work. In 2008, Sam ran one of the most successful challenger campaigns for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 15th district. Prior to her candidacy, Sam founded a statewide non-profit community, has been a dedicated community and political leader, and a wife and mother of three children. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless pro-choice advocate and supporter of women’s issues.

Sam about joining WCF:

“We will continue to grow as the place where pro-choice women of all levels - from candidates to political experts to leaders in the women’s community to those newly interested in politics - come together to pool resources and ensure that women are represented both in front and behind the curtain.”

Sam was in the office the other day, and even just our first day of planning and brain storming gave me great hope and enthusiasm of what’s to come for WCF.