Women and Politics

In a word, yes.

Clearly, we here at WCF already know that. But it seems this concept is slowly but surely being taken more seriously. Mark Lange’s article in the Christian Science Monitor asks if we have too many men steering. Would we live in a healthier, more secure world if women had equal decision-making power? Lange says yes:

Doubt it? Here’s a test. Would any of the women you admire have set up a healthcare system as byzantine, costly, and underperforming as America’s? Or a financial system where mortgage lenders don’t have to care about being paid back?

This isn’t to say that women in power = everything is magically fixed. Or that women are just so darn compassionate and caring that they would never allow any harm to come to their constituents. However, the large absence of women in power can’t be ignored. And it seems that women leaders embrace values of responsibility, shared power, and concern for others.

We’re heading into an era when we need leadership that enlists self-interest in support of the larger outcome – less transactional and more transformational. Rather than punishing failure or reinforcing conflict, motivating progress.

In 2009, it seems crazy that we still have to make an argument for having women equally represented in power. But we do. And that’s why WCF is here - encouraging, supporting, and engaging women in the political process - making it known that women deserve and equal place in running our world.

Minnesota State Representative Kathy Tingelstad (R) was attending the Minnesota’s Progressive Republican Tradition event. Many of the Republicans attending this event considered themselves to be GOP progressives. Representative Tinglestad spent a few minutes of her time with me. Here is what she had to say about women involved in politics and what issues are important to women.

Representative Moore Capito was gracious enough to spend a few minutes of her time to share her views on women and politics. She talks about the issues important to women and how the internet and social media can help to make changes.

I have reached Larimer Street and it is still buzzing with the excitement of the night. People are stopping traffic as crowds move through the streets. Many are on their way to restaurants to get something to eat and some are going to celebrate. The streets and the sidewalks are overcrowded. Dacia agrees to talk to me, sharing her perspective, another “Woman on the Street”:

Walking from Invesco Field, I see Tony waiting among her friends to be picked up to return to her hotel. She was still carrying the signs and that special ticket draped around her neck. She was still excited about the night. Here is what Tony had to say:

Walking up 16th Street, I came across a few people holding signs. I asked the two young Latina women what was written on their signs. They both said for immigration. They had taken a day out of school to march. This was clearly an important issue for them.

Celeste and Edith seemed politically active and aware of current events. I have to give credit to the their social studies teacher, who had taken the whole class to march. The two high school students had not heard any of the speeches during the convention, but they had issues that were important to them. Listen to what these youth had to say about women and political issues:

[Update: Video Added]

Getting into Pepsi Center on the day of the Role Call Vote seemed easier than normal. Although the security was the same as any other day, there were not as many people entering at 3 p.m. I wasn’t sure if it was too early or if many people hadn’t realized the significance of the events of the day.

This day I was able to go behind the podium and watch the big screen, escorted, of course. I took pictures and video of the view, watching some states cast their vote. There were screams and cheers for both Obama and Clinton as the votes were cast.

Alabama was up first to cast 48 votes for Obama, Alaska followed suit, with Arizona the first to cast votes for Clinton. California, with 441 votes, passed on casting their vote. Everyone began to wonder what was going to be the outcome, with so many votes not included in the count. States were called in alphabetical order declaring which votes were going to Obama and Clinton. Illinois also passes on casting the vote. Michigan, a highly contested state, was able to cast their votes. Voting 125 for Barack Obama and 27 votes for Hillary Clinton.

The other states followed suit, casting each vote until Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls upon the State of New York, Mayor Daley. Several people moved to the front of the line. As you listened to Daley he moved slightly and you see Senator Hillary Clinton. The audience begins to chant “Hillary, Hillary, Hillary” after Sen. Clinton asks to suspend the procedural rules and suspend the conduct of roll call. She goes on to say,

“All votes cast by the delegates will be counted and I move that Sen. Barack Obama be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls for the motion and accepts the nomination of Barack Obama. The whole event was moving and exciting. Many people around had been brought to tears.