With a $700+ billion DoD budget, a scared America armed to the teeth, threats and lies ginned up by Trump and his Fox Entertainment News cheer squad--it's about time more women in touch with reality and life gained office. The more women in leadership positions, the more chance of a healthy sane future.
57
I'm a single woman and I don't have kids. I care about other people's lives more than the women described in this article, who seem to care only about the issues impacting their children. This approach imposes and reinforces a dated stereotype that proper and respectable women are supposed to have kids. I receive this attitude at work all the time from my colleagues: "I'm able to be caring because I have kids." NEWSFLASH: pushing a baby out of your uterus has absolutely nothing with your ability to do your job.
116
True, giving birth is no qualification for caring about your fellow citizens or humanity.
But nurturing and raising children, with all its tremendous, awful, wonderful and intense responsibilities, forges a sense of others’ needs that can (though not always) be particularly helpful to being BOTH political, empathic AND effective.
42
I agree w/ you, M, since there are significant examples of childless women from our planet's History (ex. Queen Elizabeth I, who transformed England into a maritime empire) and Current Events (ex. Germany's Angela Merkel and the UK's Theresa May, whose respective countries still adaptively thrive whether they're in the EU or exiting out of it) who have proven to be effective leaders.
25
First, I don't think you can say that a short article about mothers as political candidates proves that these women care only about their children. Second, it's not the "pushing a baby out of your uterus" - mothers who had a cesarian or who adopted children are mothers, too. It's not the day of the birth - it's the next twenty years that forges a mother's character and world-view, and perhaps her desire to enter politics to try to send her and other people's children into a better world, rather than just amassing power and money. And don't let that sentence imply that ALL men are ONLY interested in power and money, as that is patently not true, either.
22
This is more bad news for kids who need the attention and love of their mothers. Selfish ladies!
1
Far from the truth. I raised two children while working full time in my profession, starting when both children were six weeks old. I was lucky to have an amazing husband and father of our children. Our two sons, now young adults, are great citizens, excellent students, and star athletes, and our family is as solid as ever. My mother and father also worked full time several decades ago, and all three of us children have had fulfilling careers and families of our own. Think before you judge: not everybody has to be like you.
20
I am a Boomer. My parents both worked full time and I think I did OK. My mother was a university professor and did not economically "have to work" according to the parlance of the time. But bear in mind that for many couples, both working full time *is* an economic necessity, even for the middle classes. In fact, it's pretty much the usual these days. It's not the 1950s any more.
10
Rolf, do you say the same about Fathers who choose demanding careers? I think not. Truth is, the daily grind of caring for young children is something that can be done by a loving qualified person whether or not that person is the biological mom or dad, and the children will always know that the mom and dad are the parents and love them. Proscribing a woman to stay home when she is talented and gutsy enough to hold a difficult job, would not produce a happy situation anyway. Lots of stay at home parents are not fulfilled and that manifests in problem children. Some stay at home parents use television and videos to babysit. You see, caring for babies and young children is a skill and not everyone should feel compelled to do it, but they still may have children if they want. Love always comes through.
7
// Alice in wonderland //
This is an interesting analysis of electoral political strategy. Still, to my mind, the author does not go far enough such as to question the vision of powerful women.
Mom is Running for Office...But which mom are you talking about ? The mom who has to deal with her second shift ? Why can’t a woman be qualified for office apart from being a mother ? This tactic may be profitable for female candidates but overall harmful for women and gender equality. Once more, it ties women to the household.
This is too easy a way to exploit motherhood, it is a more complicated one to present a concrete vision of what motherhood is and how it can be associated with political responsibilities. Instead of presenting a new model, it deals with the gap between men and women. This article is definitely not critical enough about the natural maternal qualities.
1
I am one of those moms with young children who ran & am running again. Like many moms, it was Paul Ryan's hyena grin trying to take away pre-existing coverage that made me run. If you've ever experienced your child on his deathbed, you know why. What's all the fuss about moms running? If you're the average American, your family's survival depends on two incomes. How many of us had to return to work 2 weeks after giving birth? How many of us work over 40 hours a week? Two jobs? A job & school?
We've been handling the workload for decades. Running for office just makes it more obvious because we're in the news & on social media. I'd bet there are 10 times more moms working the same hours in factories as there are moms running. They're just easier to ignore.
We can gasp & wag fingers, tell moms they shouldn't do this to their children. It won't change the fact we're forced to work, publicly or privately, to survive. The more our securities are stripped away, the more you'll see it if you care to look.
Moms see it. We all had the immediate internal response we HAVE TO run to save our children, to help mothers forced back to work too soon, to help fathers gain the ability to spend time with their children the way Paul Ryan takes the luxury, retiring at 48.
We see the huge gap of inequality & poor governing that makes no sense to America.
Moms will keep running until legislators start using their brains & hearts to pass laws that make sense.
We're fed up & we're going to win.
4
SARAH PALIN Warned us not to mess with Mama Grizzlies. Let that serve as a cautionary note to those who would oppose Moms Who Run For Office. Unlike Sarah, whose speaking career as been one big run-on sentence, they can be relied upon to complete sentences. To achieve goals. To know facts. And the get the job done. Moms who take office will find powerful partnership with children pleading for safety from gun violence and those who support the kids. It looks like the group that is likely to move things along are suburban mothers, especially those who were swing voters for the GOPpers. GUN SAFETY will address the #1 killer of Americans since 9/11, including about 460,000 gun deaths and 1,000,000 nonlethal gun injuries. On 9/11, there were about 2,600 deaths and about 6,500 injuries. GUN SAFETY is the best way to increase homeland security! NOT by wasting resources on nonexistent threats. The NRA needs to return to its founding principles. It was founded in 1871 to help soldiers learn to shoot and maintain their guns. In 1924, Kris Fredrickson, NRA President, champion olympic shooter, testified in Congress that he supported gun control and severe restrictions on gun ownership. WOMEN WILL FIGHT TO RETURN THE NRA TO ITS FOUNDING PRINCIPLES!
My mother an ardent HRC supporter, would never vote for a political candidate just because they were a mother. She never wore her motherhood as a badge of honor like today’s mommy bloggers and the social media obsessed.
1
A candidate for the 2nd Congressional District in Ohio, Jill Schiller has been asked how she can possibly go to Washington and serve in Congress because she has young children.
Of curse she will have help from her husband and other family members just as the men do.
2
I really don't care if they are parents. I only care if they're qualified women and Democrats, and hopefully, veterans too, because that's who we need to take Congress back from the Republicans. That's the only way things will change.
2
Throughout my busy life as a medical professional (now retired ), I considered it a responsibility to inform myself about candidates for election at all levels of government, much like keeping up with the scientific literature. if two candidates had similar credentials and policy positions, and one was a woman, the choice was easy. I voted for the woman. Call it "male feminism", or whatever, but I think this attitude was shaped,at least in part, by the many years I saw the intelligence, competence and determination of professional women.
9
Why is Mom's silhouette dressed like it's 1987?
2
I erred in my comment a few minutes ago. Chalis Montgomery's slogan is #FIGHTLIKEAMOTHER!
Another young mother running for congress is Liuba Grechen Shirley in NY's 2nd congressional district on Long Island, a seat that's been held by republican Pete King for over 25 years. Perhaps people saw her op-ed in the Washington Post last week, or media coverage on CBS local , Elle magazine, and Newsday, but she has asked the FEC to allow her to use campaign funds for babysitting expenses. The FEC is expected to issue a ruling within 60 days. The blue wave is coming to Long Island!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/04/09/want-wo...
7
“Back in the day, a woman had to have an entire résumé of accomplishments, three times as long as a man running."
And we saw how well that worked for Hillary, right? So much for waiting!
3
The author suggesting that motherhood is holding hordes of women back from unleashing their political genius is frankly insulting to talented, successful women.
Motherhood doesn't make you compassionate, moral, and better able to make judgements - a quick look at child abuse statistics should make this obvious.
Empirical research has shown, in hundreds of studies, mothers overwhelmingly chose motherhood over career advancement if economically feasible.
Anyone who's clawed to the top of a large, complex organization will tell you it's deathly competitive, enormously hard, and requires constant attention. The work never ends and very smart people are gunning for you all the time. A better question would be why anyone would chose this life.
A women who does is overwhelming competent, smart, and talented. As are the men she's competing against.
That doesn't mean there's no sexism or it doesn't have an impact. It's just much smaller than social constructionists prefer to admit. They hate this because if women are freely choosing motherhood they - and society in general - cannot be reengineered in their ideological image.
7
Well, actually a huge issue is to make careee advancement as possible for mothers as fathers. Which is one reason so many women are running. Please do continue to elucidate your perception of the issues of women and mothers to women and mother.
1
Susan, I mean this with all respect.
You're covering this story from 1978. The 2018 news is going in your ears, and you're reporting it back out, but it's coming out flavored like 1978. And that's not a good way of covering the story, because it isn't true to the story.
It's time to offer the wheel to a woman who's in it now. Like now. Like someone who's young enough not to be frightened by the idea that people might not like seeing moms in office. Someone who's young enough not to fear a MeToo backlash.
I'm younger than you. I'm also too old, too solidly middle-class, and too white, ish, to be any kind of voice for what's happening now. You have to recognize the moment and what these people are doing, and let go. Is it fair the ride's over so soon when it was so hard to get a seat in the first place? Well. How it goes. Next time, offer the column to someone young, someone who's living the moment.
2
It doesn't matter to me if a woman (or man) who's running for office is a mother or not, is married or not. I want to know where they stand on the issues. I feel like politicians nowadays are always trying to appeal to a voter base based on a "characteristic" that they possess--I find it disingenuous. I only want to know where they stand on the issues and most of them seem to just fall into party line so it doesn't matter if they're a mother or not, if I don't agree with their stance on important topics, I'm not voting for them.
15
Why would anyone vote for anyone whose campaign strategy pertains to identity issues?
Usually candidates who do this are viewed by other population segments as being exclusive and exclusionary.... and alot of people either don't vote or vote against the candidate.
Remember Hillary's "deplorables?"
I guess there must have been enough of them to sway the election, regardless of what you think of them.
I wonder if there are larger issues that are of concern the the general population.
Daryl
Daryl's Roadside Honor System Vegetable Stand and Dairy Produce
5
Larger issues, like real life?
Merete,
Some people,liker Daryl, can't see the trees for the bark. Don't bother with them, they're lost.
Our local race in Georgia's 10th Congressional district features Chalis Montgomery, running with the slogan #RUNLIKEAMOTHER! The "Blue Wave" this November may have streaks of "pussy hat" pink! It's about time.
2
The more qualified women who run, the better. Not only does this benefit women, but our society as a whole.
15
Those who actually read the article may get the idea that it's a matter of overcoming perception and bias against mothers. This can be for the women themselves as well as for society in general. The untapped, unrecognized talent is mind-blowing. I see the fact that mothers are running unapologetically as a huge forward advance for our country.
I'm not surprised that motherless women and any and all men would not understand the extent of this problem. (As noticed in other comments).
10
Margaret: Instead of "motherless women," did you mean "childless"? I think we all had mothers, one way or another!
3
yes - I meant 'childless'
You can be a newborn Mother and still sell out to special interest groups!
4
"A few women with very young children have decided to run, despite research suggesting that voters can be uneasy about how female candidates with young children will juggle public and private duties."
As a mother of young children, I would actually say that Congress is a PERFECT job! Platinum healthcare, an inside track to all the best colleges, a salary high enough to afford the best schooling available, and several months of paid vacation. A better question is how a mother can juggle childcare and waiting tables on an intermittent schedule...
67
“Women are going with their gut, …They’re running as if these obstacles haven’t taken place in the past. It’s their sense of urgency about changing the status quo.” It makes me uncomfortable to see another version of a political leader who makes decisions based on the gut, rather than being informed by data, information, a balanced consideration of various forms of legislation, and considering unintended consequences of new laws. Thoughtfulness, reflection, and a commitment to represent constituents rather than lobbyists and billionaires’ agendas are important in political leadership. In the 1970’s, students brandished the slogan, “the personal is political”, and it seems to be re-emerging among women wanting to pursue political positions. Truly we need inspirational leadership, so my message to these young women is to present more than passion and guts towards a single issue, but create a platform that is inclusive, thoughtful, and can help us reconnect from this fractious polarization. And women are ideal politicians to build bridges, relationships, and coalitions that can generate change and reclaim our democracy from the billionaire ruling class.
6
Here are just a few more women poised to remove the "neanderthals" from the Congress:
Elaine Luria: VA 2nd
Mikie Sherrill: NJ 11th
Amy McGrath:KY 6th
Once they are sworn in, the wave of "moms" will be headed for an unstoppable and appropriate balance in Government. Best news in centuries.
18
The ancient-human set of Neanderthals contains both men and women... and even kids.
2
The current crisis in a corrupt government headed by a professional liar, and all the entrapments that abuse of power come with, has led to the genuine need to get involved in politics. And women, usually the one's in charge of their household and children could and should apply; the party can and must help by instructing them in the basics, so they'll know what to do when/if in office. We men have had too many chances to show our meddle, and corruption continues, unabated, it's course. Run, women, run, and make us proud.
10
Ok, guys let's bottom line it imo, what history and common sense has taught us.
It is great that more women are running but run as Americans not as women. Obama ran as an American not as a black, Hillary ran as a woman and not as an American, It was lethal to her. She served zero terms, losing to an ego maniac demagogue while Obama served two terms.
As a women, you certainly can be for "women's issues", ie national medical plan, better day care etc. etc but only as part of an overall plan for America.
If you run as an identity obsessed woman and by some miracle win, you will become the narrow minded female version of a Trump ie he is only interested in himself, his narrow base and nobody else. His female counterpart will only be obsessed with extreme female issues and nothing else.
5
Extreme female issues- like healthcare and education?
6
Thank you for your reply Puying....It's degree Puying...
Nothing wrong with the two issues but run on them for all, not just women, but men, black, white etc.
Don't run on it as only important to women and ignore all other issues important to all other people.
In order words don't wrong an identity obsessed campaign.
Learn from Obama, he ran as an American not a black and served two terms.
Nothing turns off an American as a identity obsessed one issue candidate whether you are a man, a woman, a black, or somebody from Mars.
1
While it's great that these women are mom's that's not enough to make me want to vote for you. I care about the issues impacting my community and what you plan to do about them. Step away from identity politics and focus on the issues. Wanting to make the world a better place for your children is noble but you better have more than "I'm a mom," going for you if you want people to vote for you.
16
It is disheartening to see these women's lack of curiosity and inexperience in geopolitical issues, national security, financial structures of the federal tax and benefit system, etc. They will be like a Tea Party of the left with this inexperience, ignorance (and lack of curiosity)?
I don't really know how you can be a good mother if you do not take economic responsibility for yourself. Otherwise the "serving children" model has a latent darker side that you are looking for those children to serve you, which is very inappropriate and backwards. This is how we got an ACA that funds the health care expenses of middle-aged people on the backs of young adults. It's one thing to require young adults to save for their own current and future health care needs, but quite another to make them pay for previous generations.
Why no mention of Amy McGrath, running as Democrat for U.S. Congress in Kentucky against GOP incumbent?
4
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/04/09/want-wo...
Long Island’s Liuba Grechen Shirley is another example. She hopes to face Republican Congressman Peter King in November. The macho, pugilistic King has been a vocal supporter of Trump. Grechen Shirley, whose background is in economic development, has mobilized a newly energized progressive electorate. CD2 is one of those suburban districts that will be in play in 2018.
2
And fix the budget while you're at it.
Spending on warfare dwarfs every other Federal expenditure. Time to re-prioritize people over weapons.
13
People stereotype which makes their decisions unreasonably biased away from reasonable considerations and the difficulty of women achieving political and career and employment equity very substantial. But when one observes the preferences of women political leaders it tends to focus upon all the stereotyped preferences associated with women and avoids those associated with men. Hillary Clinton ran with a message that transcended the two which actually seemed to weaken her appeal to both men and women. A leader must be able to address the needs of the group they lead. A community needs to address the needs of family life and the welfare of the whole community in a practical effective manner. Nations must be able and willing to go to war and to negotiate peace with nations who would not respect any nation who they think that they can defeat by force. Communities must be willing to prosecute and punish sociopathic criminals, similarly. Yet, the contribution of the more feminine instincts to both the relations between nations and how people are treated in communities are to bring fairness and equity to make the world one where scarcity and injustice are too prevalent and which drives violence and anti-social behaviors is something that America has helped to contribute. The need to enable women to have a greater voice is clear but women leaders must be able to handle the needs best handled with masculine reactions effectively.
Can you imagine a Senate scene where 78 men, mostly super-annuated, are trying to keep their minds on pork as a mother who happens to be one of the 22 female Members of the U.S. Senate is breast-feeding an infant in the well of the Senate? While, frankly, I think the image is hilarious, I suspect that the vast majority of Americans wouldn’t -- and not just the “deplorables”.
We’ll see what impact all this involvement by Democratic women has on the midterms. I suspect that it might be anticlimactic. The hopes on the left run high, but if a threat is perceived, there are a ton of fairly conservative women out there, too, and they may decide that it’s time for THEM to run for office in greater numbers as well, to protect their own values. I honestly wish all of them, on both sides, the best of luck.
Those of us who have traveled a lot are kinda-sorta accustomed to seeing women bare a breast to feed infants in subway cars, as passengers in autos, even in restaurants, but don’t let anyone try to convince you that the indigenous are homogeneously and truly comfortable with the sight anywhere in the West. Ms. Vignarajah likely will have quite an uphill battle to wage to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Maryland, much more to unseat Larry Hogan as governor. America is far more ready for progressive folkways than it has been in the past, but I don’t think they’re ready for this.
2
I don’t know if the breastfeeding tactic will work for these candidates but I haven’t met a single person who has a problem with it.
I see it as weaponizing. If it stuns stodgy old white male politicians then, awesome. If most people are ok with breastfeeding in public then Republican backlash against breastfeeding will fail.
6
Studioroom:
I don't personally have a problem with it myself. However, you must be talking to an astonishingly narrow range of people, because I know a TON of people, in all age brackets, most economic classes, and both Republicans AND Democrats, who would have a MAJOR problem with it.
1
You've just made the best possible argument for breast-feeding on the Senate floor! I think a little distraction is just what we need, if the alternative is lavishing even more money on the Pentagon than it requested or knows what to do with!
2
I see some of the resentment of women, who like myself, do not have kids. True motherhood alone is not an indication of talent or intelligence but let’s admit something all us child free people have concluded long ago. Motherhood is THE most important job in the world. It just is. And I think a really great mom would make a really good leader.
17
Not every mom is Roseanne.
1
I want some real human beings in office. By that I mean people, male or female, who have some compassion for others, who are not owned and operated by corporations or indebted to their largest donors. I'd like to see someone who understands how discouraging it is to apply for job after job and get no response, how distressing it is to have to choose between paying the bills and getting needed medical care, eating or shelter, taking a day off because one is ill or one's child is ill or, even better, one's aged parents need help and the job doesn't allow for paid sick leave.
I'd like to see someone who is not interested in imposing his/her morals on the rest of us but is interested in governing, improving the lives of all Americans, and who isn't in someone's back pocket. The problem is that there isn't anyone out there like that and we can thank our campaign finance system and smear campaigns for it. No one with any sort of sensitivity, unless they have the skin of a rhinoceros, would want to run in this climate. Who needs it? And that's why we have conscienceless people like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Mike Pence, and Donald Trump in office.
40
This identity stuff is getting just so beyond tedious. Fwiw, i'm female, no kids, Independent. I really couldn't care less what gender a candidate is, what sex, what race or ethnic group, sexual persuasion, religious persuasion, marital or parental status, party, etc. I care that you're pro-choice. I care that you support universal healthcare. Want my vote, come with a jobs plan in hand. I care about your position on trade, i care deeply about your positions on foreign policy. I care about your position on privacy and civil liberties, I care that you have some experience and know what you're doing. I care that you work in the interests of your constituents, not your big bucks donors or your party. I care if you're corrupt. Is it really that difficult?
55
Look at the data. Women are more likely to support the things you care about, and more likely to work together with other legislators.
7
I don't care about the data. I care about the specific candidates on my ballot.
10
Calling attention to MOMMY'S RUNNING FOR OFFICE, the recently released, 15-page children's chapter book available at B&N and on www.amazon.com.
The story will help mothers involve their children in their campaigns, and it will help children to understand the election process.
2
We don't need women and mothers in government. We need the right women and mothers in government. Joni Ernst is a mother. Any Democrats voting for her?
Voting for a woman because she has a video that shows her breastfeeding is as ridiculous as voting for someone because he seems like someone you want to have a beer with.
36
"Mothers running for office" is a nonsense social construct. Talented people, regardless of gender and parent-status, should run for office.
Here is why.
I have silently seethed in anger in my 30 odd year career, when I have had a colleague who is a parent, get away with doing little or nothing, and demand special privileges, and special rewards by virtue of 'I have parental responsibilities." Do you really think I would dare to say anything?
The notion that men or women will not use what we can to manipulate and bully others - because the others plain cannot say anything out of fear, out of a concern about a hysterical, united response against them - is a fantasy. It happens all the time.
Playing my parent card - with very little consequence - I can avoid meetings, turn in stuff late, avoid responsibility, ask for raises, perform poorly, and let people down. I have a weapon called: "You hate children." People recoil. No person who is single, gets this privilege. If you think evaluation and feedback are for real in corporate America or done with integrity, you haven't worked anywhere beyond entry level.
I cannot explain my self-indulgence and poor performance if it were related to golf or tennis.
Run for office if you want, have or do not have children as you wish, but save the mother-fatherhood narrative. Because when you do, I know you are about to plain manipulate me into granting you special privileges.
Kalidan
29
That's because golf and tennis are actually just for you, an individual, whereas raising the next generation responsibly is incredibly time consuming and exhausting as well as rewarding. It a gift to the community, the world unlike playing golf or tennis.
4
Ineffable:
Gift?
Keep it if you must use it to get away with less, or demand an unfair privilege.
1
Khalidan,
I am sorry you are so bitter. During a 12 year corporate career, well beyond entry level, as well as other prior jobs, I never experienced anyone requesting or receiving any special treatment because they were a parent. In fact, I saw single parents having to pretend to be sick rather than admit that they could not find child care on particular days. The job came first, and unfortunately family life was seen as the lesser priority.
4
I applaud these women for seizing the biggest and most important lessons of the 2016 election – it's time to toss out all conventional wisdom about what voters respond to or dislike.
That being said, it's disingenuous to claim these women represent a significant challenge to the "stubborn status quo," or fit the criteria of "breaking with political conventions and traditional backgrounds for office." In fact, I looked them up, and they're almost ludicrously rank and file. Kelda Roys is a "tech entrepreneur, business owner, attorney, and a former Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly." Does having a toddler really make her a dark horse, outside-the-box candidate? Conversely, does not wanting her kids to get shot and killed at school convey anything meaningful about her as a candidate?
Due to Betsy Londrigan's story about her son's illness, and the attempted ACA repeal celebrations feeling like a knife to the heart, I assumed (because it was implied) that she had something at stake in this political climate. Nope. Her son is 20, he spent a month in the hospital at age 12, and "The family had insurance through the work of her husband, Tom, who is a lobbyist with McGuireWoods Consulting." Wow.
If voters can't assuage their hunger for non-traditional candidates with this wealthy, white wife of a lobbyist who's already spinning personal history into misleading PR sound bites, I don't know what could possibly satisfy them!
7
World history tells us that educated females (married/single, mom/child-free, etc.) can be great leaders worth electing.
For monarchies (& their past applicable colonies) that once had hands-on, wise, dynastic queens, electing clever women as the state's "mom" is not odd. Their females are taught also to work outside the home (in case breadwinning dad dies; raising kids & keeping a safe home is truly a team/village effort - not just a housebound mom-only one!) and excel in detailed logic-driven STEM & business fields (if they're into such), like:
1) Norway (being in EU full of neighboring current & historical tough queens/empresses) - PM Erna Solberg is a statistician/economist married mom of 2 whose own married mom was an ofc worker
2) Chile (a former Spanish colony that knows of Queen Isabella/King Ferdinand partnership) - 2-time President Michelle Bachelet is a divorced mom of 3 well-adjusted kids, the daughter of a married mom archaeologist, and is a medical doctor
3) Taiwan (China had tough empresses too!) - President Tsai Ing Wen is a single, childless, international trade atty w/ degrees from Cornell and London School of Economics
4) Burundi (former French colony, knows how Joan of Arc mattered) - PM & Acting President Sylvie Kinigi, married economist mom of 4 who helped bring back peace after a mid1990s civil war
5) Israel (home of Queen Esther & female warrior/assassin Devorah) - PM Golda Meir, the WI-raised teacher/librarian & married mom of 2.*
5
Instead of wondering how women can manage kids and professional work, including holding elected office, we should be much more curious about how men in high places manage not only extra marital affairs, but the time to orchestrate elaborate coverups. This concern about women’s time management is one of the more ridiculous smoke screens.
98
I agree. Mark Sanford had a wife and 4 kids and managed an elaborate ruse with his mistress. That requires a lot more planning than a working mom juggling work and home.
7
Mosf blacks who run for office get almost all the black vote. Hispanics get 75% of the Hispanic vote. By contrast, women get a considerably lower percentage of the female vote. If that continues, mothers running for office will need a strong showing among men.
4
Let's ask every male politician running for office, "But who is going to take care of the children while you're on the floor?" Let's ask every male politician, "Well, aren't you just voting that way because of your own children?" Let's ask every male politician, "Won't being a father interfere with your objectivity on this matter?"
28
We need more women to run for office. Most women candidates emphasize health, education and the welfare of all people. We would have less wars if more women were in office. No more of the "mine is bigger than yours" mentality that the current president and his party are always bragging about.
8
What an inspiring article.
3
You didn’t mention Chrissy Houlihan who is running on the Democratic ticket in Pennsylvania’s 6th congressional district where Ryan Costello is resigning. She is a mother, former Air Force Reserve captain, engineer, former teacher, and entrepreneur who exemplifies the points made in this article. I’m thrilled to have her on the ticket in our formerly gerrymandered and newly redrawn district.
15
Here on Long Island we have several women running against two powerful Republican Congressmen. In District 1, running against incumbent, Lee Zeldin, are Kate Browning, Elaine DiMasi and Vivian Viloria-Fisher. In District 2, running against incumbent, Peter King we have Liuba Grechen Shirley. Ms. Shirley, especially, has very young children but great support from her husband, family and many friends. Liuba’s children are thriving and I know they will continue to do so when she succeeds in November. Being a mom is not an impediment any more than being a dad is.
7
I am sure women with children of any age bring unique perspectives to leadership. We should welcome their participation and leadership as valuable to the mix. Still, in regards to the care of her particular child and how the child impacts her career, she needs to first work that out with the man that fathered the child. They jointly have responsibilities for that child. Neither one can neglect those responsibilities. If only one of the two is in the public eye and bears the weight of public perception of how the pair carry out those responsibilities, that is not my problem.
2
I'm a Mom running for state House and I can say for certain my children weighed on my decision. The super majority in my state passed a budget that cuts education funding, behavioral health funding, makes it harder to get support when you need it. I think if you're a parent (and believe me, some men think like this too, but they're usually Democrats) you are more concerned with the welfare of someone else and that can be a potent political tool. The current Republican party has disadvantaged men since its appalling behavior has ruined anyone who claims to be a Republican. I do think there will be a blue wave, if just to bring some leveling to the government.
24
What is your name? I want to send a contribution!
7
Mothers traditionally have the role of chief of support systems, chief arbitrator,and chief safety officer.What good qualities to take to a job in politics!Ninety nine years ago this June women were first given the vote.It is about time that in addition to organizing rallies and phoning for other candidates that they stand for election and ask voters to elect them.Our founding fathers did not envision a ruling class of white men,they envisioned citizen legislators.What a good idea to encourage women and women with young children to help solve our local and national challenges.
11
"voters had the deepest misgivings about mothers with young children, but not about men with young families." - Language like this is exactly why these stereotypes and "misgivings" still exist. Women with children are mothers, while men with children are not automatically given the title fathers. Instead they are men with families.
96
i completely glossed our those characterizations! wow! you are SO correct. thanks for underling my (and so many others’) obliviousness to this type of dismissive language!
7
I won election to local government with a six month old baby - neither featured nor hidden from my campaign. As the only person with parenting responsibilities on the entire 10 person council (no kids, adult kids) it was probably useful to have my current perspective on child care, maternal and infant health, but I was also passionate about urban planning, infrastructure and sports allocations and nobody expected that. These big ticket areas were allocated immediately to the men on council. I am a feminist and will advocate accordingly on any issue but it’s imprtant not to be overly prescriptive about our political interests.
65
When Justin Trudeau ( Canadian Prime Minister ) was asked why he made up his cabinet of 50% women ( a massive leap in percentage from all other governments ), he responded simply: '' Because it's 2016 ''
If a segment of the population makes up more than 50% of it, then it is not radical at all to think that that segment would be represented in the same numbers within power structures across the land. What is radical is to think that women are not qualified.
First, of course, they have to run and 2nd, they should be all the fair chances that men receive.
Naturally of course, society must drop all the barriers ( direct and indirect ) that prevent them from running in the first place. However, those barriers will probably not be dropped until women get into power and remove them.
That's how misogyny continues to have a hold.
64
When asked the appropriate number of women to be on the Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg replied "Nine."
14
Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin were women last i checked. So is Jill Stein. I'm assuming that they're fair game for that 50% too? I didn't vote for Clinton (nor Trump). I couldn't care less about gender parity, i care about candidates who work in my interests. As it happens, the three Democrats who will most likely get my vote this December happen to be female. (Liz Warren, and my state rep and Senator.) Their gender is irrelelvant, and although i'm vaguely aware that Warren is a married and grandmother, i have no idea what the personal situations of my state legislature women are. I do know that my state reps (not superdelegates) came out for Sanders before the primaries, which happened to be in line with their constituents - Sanders easily won our town. What i also know is that all things considered, all three work in my interests. That's the only think that matters to me.
3
I’m a mother. I’m a Mayor. Being a mom doesn’t automatically make me a good Mayor. Or vice versa. There’s a bit more to it than that.
75
This is a great article.
I hope women win more seats in politics. It is accurate to say that, on average, women work harder than men, they do the toughest job there is, which is child-care, they get the least recognition for their work, and they they are financially disadvantaged.
I am voting for women in November 2018.
51
This made me think of my own mother, Joan Wooby Smith, who was the first woman elected to the town council - as a Democrat - in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, population 4000. It was back in the 70s and she knocked on every door and talked to almost everyone in town. With young kids at home she was also asked about her “family responsibilities” but her male running mate never was. Her successful effort to break the glass ceiling in local government showed me and my brothers and sisters what it takes to challenge the establishment. But we didn’t know at the time that that was what was happening. Only in retrospect can I appreciate the enormity of her tenacity, diplomacy, and bravery. And not only hers, my father was also brave in supporting her and helping to “figure it out” at home and taking on nontraditional roles. They both passed on in 2005 but I can’t help but think they would be disappointed at the lack of progress since then. I don’t think my mom would be surprised though. My only solace is that they didn’t live to see Donald Trump become president -that definitely would’ve killed them!
101
Well Chidoub, congrats on your mom and dad, and don't downplay the miracle that women accomplished post 1980 where they have equality in theory and mostly in fact.
Yes women should run and be encouraged but lack of progress did not elect Trump, Hillary did.
Running as an identity obsessed, narrow minded dominant issue woman and men must be condemned forever until every women is equal to men in thought word and deed whether they earned it or not is what killed her.
It turned off many men and women too.
Learn from history or forever be condemned to repeat its worst mistakes.
1
This sounds like a ‘standing out in the marketplace’ thing. No disrespect- I had a mother- but what are the policies you would follow?
7
I ran for office while my children were in grade school- I won. I served two terms (8 years) as the lone woman on a seven person board. I was divorced, had a full time job and two kids. It was long nights and learning how local government works. So glad I served my community and did no harm. Somehow my life worked around it. Later I went back to school nothing daunts after this. Public service made me a better person. Everyone who wants to make a change should go for it.
115
There is a powerful political force in state houses around the country: moms. Many of them wearing signature "Moms Demand Action" t-shirts that they are sometimes asked to take off or cover as they advocate for sensible gun laws. I've been involved in a lot of political causes, but I've rarely claimed the mantel of "mom" while doing so -- in the professional work place, I have been trained to never speak of being a mom or mentioning my family. Past research has shown that having children decreases a woman's professional reputation (because of perceived divided loyalties) while it raises a man's (because of perceived maturity and reliability when becoming a father).
But maybe that is changing. Going to the state house as a "mom" at a time of heightened awareness around gun violence has suddenly raised my status. My state rep actually called me a few days after a constituent meeting to say how surprised he was at our effective advocacy (a victory had just been achieved on a House bill). "Your group is doing all the right things," he said. "You weren't overbearing about what you wanted."
That's because we're not trying to shove an agenda down your throats, I told him. It's the difference between people who are worried that their guns might be taken away, and mothers who are worried their children might be taken away. We're talking to our reps because we want to reclaim our public spaces and protect our children's safety.
In politics, the time has come for moms.
49
Smart moms care about the world they are sending their kids into and will legislate accordingly. I'm convinced the more mothers we have in office, the better off we'll all be.
91
I'm not. Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton.
Being a good mom (or dad) may not have anything to do with your being an effective politician.
How about we start electing the right people based on their policies and not their gender or race.
27
I said "smart moms."
1
Um. Hillary Clinton is brilliant.
2
Boy does that hit home! I was a borough councilman in a PA borough back in 1973. I was about 25. My mom was always active in everything and was usually one of the officers whether it was Boy Scouts, Women's Club. You name it and she was a leader. She headed up our borough BiCentennial Committee in 1976. After it was done she came up to me and said "I really enjoyed that and I'd like to run for borough council. What do you think?" I told her I really did't care since we elected 4 and 3 for 4 year terms. I was not up for re-election so she wasn't running against me! Needless to say she was the top vote getter. There is a picture I'll always treasure which is she and I shaking hands across the table. Sometimes she'd ask me "how could you vote that way?" 3 years later I moved out of the borough and became a township supervisor in our township. She went on to serve 25 years and finally left council at 82. The citizens of the borough thought so much of her that she was the first "outstanding citizen" of the borough and they named a building after her.. really proud of my mom and each year she would march in the 4th of July parade with her two grandsons. Those boys are now in their 40's but still talk about that with great pride!
72
Thank you, Kevin...what wonderful, valuable memories to cherish. And to share. Let her example be a beacon to civic duty for us all, as it obviously continues to be for those grandsons....
3
I loved your comment and about how you and your mother served. The problem now as least where I live is that there are term limits. Elections no longer decide who will serve, but whether they have served 3 or 4 terms. We lose a lot of really good people that way. Yes, some survive who I think should not, but that is what elections are for.
1