WASHINGTON (AP) — The spotlight belonged to Nancy Pelosi on Thursday as she became the first woman in U.S. history to stand at the head of the House of Representatives, second in line to the presidency.
Yes, it’s indeed great. Wonderful in fact, that another woman has risen to prominence. Last year we had Katie Kouric. Long overdue and sad it is so rare that it still makes headlines. It should also remind us of how sexist male dominated America still is in its echelons of power, whether this be government or corporate business. When you consider that female voters account for a large number of political votes, this continues to sit oddly when it comes to politics.
We are in 2007 and only now a woman gets to head the House of Representatives? No doubt the feminists have much to say on that one… and (though I tend to find them somewhat strident sometimes, so they should). So should we all. But it is a great leap for mankind, no question.
But, read the following few lines from the story carefully.
Pelosi, a 66-year-old Democrat, aimed to introduce herself to America not just as the San Francisco liberal decried by Republicans, but also as an Italian-American Catholic, mother of five and native of gritty Baltimore, where her father was mayor.
She arrived on the House floor for the historic event with her six grandchildren in tow, including baby Paul Michael Vos, born to her daughter Alexandra in early November. She thanked her family for supporting her journey “from the kitchen to the Congress.”
After her election by a vote of 233-202, the chamber’s Democratic-Republican breakdown, Pelosi stood holding the sleeping infant — who did not stir — and shook hands as she accepted congratulations from her fellow House members.
Italics mine.
O.K. It was her historic moment and she was making a point. But was it necessary to have all her kids and grandkids in tow? Whether she arrived with her kids or not, the press would almost certainly have mentioned she was a mother of five almost in the same breath as they announced her historic feat. Something they rarely do with male appointments. It’s usually the last sentence of the entire article on his achievements.
I also see and hear the strong “ pro-natal” message shouted loud and clear from that. Lot’s of children. Even more grandchildren. And I wonder, are women also being given another “subtle” message here?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
i just have to ask, if so many women voters, how come they havent voted for women before.. isnt it curious, that so many men are still in power, when its woman voters who vote for them. its almost as if the women voters dont vote for women..
i would say the country is male dominated, but the women have the most power, they have violence against women act.. no violence against men act. they spend about 7 times more of womens health than mens..
more men commit suide 75% of all suicides are men, yet womens suicide is more in the press, more men are killed with violence than women walking down the street. domestic violence, about the same amount is done to males.. but you hear nothing about them..
yes politicians are male, but who voted them in.. women.. men generally dont vote anymore.. so.. who is really to blame about lack of female politicians (in the UK we have female only shortlists for Political parties, is that right.. no.. thats equally as sexist..but that form is applauded)
and before you claim i am sexist, i come from the UK whos head of state is a woman, we had a female prime minister, all my bosses have been women.
if a woman wants to do the job, and can, then i say go for it.. i dont really care if its a man or a woman or a little green hermaphrodite from alpha centauri. so long as the job gets done..
i try to be equal for everyone, i fight against some men who see all women as users, i fight against women who see men as walking wallets..
i try to be fair and equal to everyone, but people will read into what i say i am anti woman, (wrong) that i am anti male (wrong) i am pro-equality. if 2 gay men want to get married thats fine by me, if 2 women, thats ok too.. its only fair.. so i am trying to be fair, i am stating in the last post, all the negatives that have happened to men, something thats rarely mentioned. not that i am saying i want women to get less funding.. i want men to get more.. i want true equality.. same for everyone.. so if you think i am sexist, or racist or whatever i state now i am not..
Thanks for posting this, Britgirl. Watching the news last night I was almost taken aback at how this ground-breaking moment for women was softened by the image of all her kids/grandkids surrounding her on the podium. In fact, I found my blood pressure rising. I highly doubt that would have happened if she was a man. What I got from the scene was a not-so-subtle message of: “Don’t worry about being emasculated boys, after all, she’s a MOTHER and GRANDMOTHER and loves fashion and babies just like every other woman”. I think it should also be noted that her choice of suits and accessories is also frequently mentioned when her name pops up in the news (ok, usually these newscasts aren’t of the highest quality, but…). I do hope in my lifetime we will see more female politicians in high positions who don’t feel the need to make others more comfortable by touting their children.
i am all for people who actually do the job, i dont care if they are gay or straight, married or single, parents or non parents, male or female. So long as they do the job they are employed for.. but yes carisa its more and more a spin on how people are, most mothers vote so aim your market at the group that votes most.. to say i am a mother too, and i know what your feeling.. and you will get more money…
when it shouldnt be about looks, or any other ephemera, it should be about how well they do the job, if a hermaphrodite from alpha centauri can do the same job, i would vote for them.. not this artificial claptrap..
but if she does the job well, then good on her.. if she doesnt then
@mercurior – I have no doubt she can do the job. But my point is – or rather my points are 1 – that Ms Pelosi, in my opinion, did not need to drag along her brood of kids and grandkids for this occasion. Her doing so sent completely the wrong message to both men and women. You would never see a man doing that.
2 – The media, when announcing a woman appointee to a position of power ALWAYS finds a way to focus on aspects that have nothing to do with the job. Her clothes, her legs, her heels how many kids she has (or, disparagingly, how many she doesn’t have), her makeup whether she’s a single mother etc, etc. Ms Pelosi helped them plenty by making the fact she’s a mother and a grandmother front and centre.
@ Carisa – I could not agree more. When I read of any woman politician, or indeed any woman appointed to power, I don’t have to look far for the usual media descriptors – none of which have anything to do with how well she can do the job. Fashion, children she’s produced and other FEMALE things. It was worse with Katie Kouric. I too felt my blood pressure rising when I read Ms Pelosi’s writeup and then saw her surrounded by her brood. In my eyes it did zip to help her cause and nothing to underline the power she’d achieved. Unless you count her power to reproduce. And, of course, make the men feel comfortable and safe.
And you are spot on – read any male appointee bio, and as far as the media is concerned what’s important is what he’s achieved to get to the appointment… Kids? Limited to six words at the end:Mr- X -is-married-with-x-children.
yes, i agree, but a lot of men will feel uncomfortable seeing her brood, its a sort of subconcious thing, if she is so pro family then something will have to be left behind, usually mens rights etc.. it may be totally wrong idea, but thats the feeling of some men.. and you are right as well how men are treated differently in the bio, the job shouldnt be about kids, it should be about the job..
i was just stating, that i have no problem with the sex of a person doing a job, incase some people call me a sexist.. which has happened..
I’ve already seen reference to the power pantsuit when discussing her.