Women and Politics

Here’s the scene: I’m one of two progressive women sitting across the table from two conservative gals. We’re taping for PBS’ To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. Despite our differences, this episode found us agreeing more often than not.

When camera stopped rolling I exclaimed, “this is why we need more women in elected office!” Research shows that women are far more likely than men to arrive at consensus, even when value systems are radically different.

But to the idea of more women running for office, one of my conservative sisters shook her head saying, “No woman in her right mind would choose to deal with the nastiness of politics and if she has kids, why would she put them through that?” I countered, “What man doesn’t run because he’s worried about his kids? None.”  Everyone nodded. “You have a point there Sam,” she said.

My two daughters, now 25 and 23, went through my two bruising Mayoral races and with their little brother, now 7, weathered a horrific U.S. Congressional race where my gender was used unflinchingly as a weapon of mass destruction against me. But in these races, I demonstrated that when half-truths, lies and innuendo are hurled, you can emerge with dignity and more political capital than when you started. I demonstrated there are things worth fighting for. I can’t imagine better life lessons to give to my children.

When I encourage other talented women to run, I’m met with, “I have projects I’m working on right now that I want to finish…and it will be easier on the kids if I wait.” But oftentimes the opportunity to make their bid is now, as the chance probably won’t be there later. Do the guys worry about projects they haven’t finished when an opportunity to seize the brass ring presents itself? No.

We women talk ourselves out of running before we even get started. Research shows that women think of running less than the guys and then, of course, end up running less.

My two rules when I ran for Mayor and U.S. Congress were:

1. A happy mom who is personally stretching herself = happy kids.
2. When opportunity comes knocking, you have to answer the call, NOW, not later. Don’t wait. JUST DOING IT makes you/your family/your kids/your supporters ready for the next opportunity.

Check out this roster of women I’ve met so far running in 2010. These are all gals who support reproductive choices and options - and are JUST DOING IT! Even if you only give them $5, give them something online now. And ask a woman to run for office, including yourself, who should run for office one day.

No more excuses, ladies. Now is the time for action.

Tags: 2010 candidates, excuses for not running, siobhan sam bennett, to the contrary, women running for office