Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura van Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canada
I'm very glad I read the whole book and took this class. Although, at times, the material that's been covered has pissed me off that only serves to give me more energy to do the things I need to do. For example, the fact that computer science and engineering are still male dominated fields while psychology, my major, is already two/thirds female makes me want to follow one of the other possible job ossupation ideas thats been floating around my head for the past two years, which is architecture.
Earlier in the semester we were asked in class whether we would run for office or not and/or what would make us do it (or something to that effect). I responded, as I still think, that for me to really want to do something someone has to tell me I can't or think that I can't. Most women try to avoid male-dominated professions because they are less welcome in those fields, but I welcome being not welcome because it means that I'll have to prove myself.
Personally, because of my parents divorce and joint custody policy, I've always been interested in divorce, child custody, and family laws along with the current view of the family structure. I'm glad it's changing, but I think it needs to change more. Men and women need to equally split both the income and the hosuehold work for the family system to be stable once more. In the book, it was mentioned that men are being involved way less in their families, actually completely runaway dads are getting more and more common. To strengthen the family once more, I tihnk we need to come up with a new view on what household work and childcaring is. Most men I know want to be good fathers, they just don't feel that they are welcome to it. So instead of making it viewed as a man "going down" to women's work we'd need to make it viewed as a man taking on extra responsiblities.
But culture isn't welcome to change as the book has pointed out over again. Phyllis Schlafly is a great example of that, a woman who even now is fixed in old stereotypes. It is changing though, slowly buit steadily. Women are now accepted, or even expected, to be in places where they used to not be allowed such as undergrad and grad schools, business and the general workplace. This will continue to change, in what direction we don't know, but somewhere.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Women, Politics, and American Society -- Summary
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura can Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canda
This is a summary of the entire book, I'll go back in and do each chapter as well. The book covered every part of women in politics, ranging from their schooling to their family to their hob. Because of the way these different subjects overlap, some of the information was repeated mpre than once, which securely lodged it in my mind. Most of these however, were the broad ideas ot the historical ones, going back to Seneca Falls 1848 in every chapter.
The book greatly relates to our class material, in some places going more in depth and in some places only glancing over objects that we spend full days talking about. For example, it never really goes into Roe v. Wade in the depth that we went into in class. Also, although it does mention historic abortions it doesn't go into as great detail as we did in class. But, on the other hand, there were many more statsitics as is to be expected on paper.
This is a summary of the entire book, I'll go back in and do each chapter as well. The book covered every part of women in politics, ranging from their schooling to their family to their hob. Because of the way these different subjects overlap, some of the information was repeated mpre than once, which securely lodged it in my mind. Most of these however, were the broad ideas ot the historical ones, going back to Seneca Falls 1848 in every chapter.
The book greatly relates to our class material, in some places going more in depth and in some places only glancing over objects that we spend full days talking about. For example, it never really goes into Roe v. Wade in the depth that we went into in class. Also, although it does mention historic abortions it doesn't go into as great detail as we did in class. But, on the other hand, there were many more statsitics as is to be expected on paper.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Gender and Learning -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
Sarah Glazer
I was surprised to find mention of John Hopkins University's program Center for Talented Youth mentioned in that article since I was part of that program for four years, as was my sister. Both of us scored higher on verbal than on math, as did most of the girls I know who participated in the program. There's always the odd one out though, at times there are several, but as long as they are in the minority they're still the odd ones out. Although much of what is said in the article is true, from both sides of every argument, there remains the women and men who break the rules or stereotypes and I think that needs to be remembered. All this study of the brain that says men are better at this than women makes the reader forget that although there are more men than women, there are still many successful women as well.
Like all arguments that come down to nature versus nurture, I think it has to be a combination of the two. There's indisputable differences between the brain chemistry of men and women and that has to have some effect, but it isn't everything. Neither is the environment the only factor. Lives of people are made up of so many variables that it's almost impossible to completely simplify them. There's some evidence though that teaching styles effect children differently because when schools switch to one or another it does make a difference.
There's something to be said for the fact that learning at earlier levels have evened out significantly. I think that the reason there are so few female professors compared to the number of females with high degrees is because of the previous generations view on gender differences, and when the current more androgynous generation reaches the higher levels of education and of every factor of the work force than hopefully and most likely in my mind the fields will even out, at least as much as people want them too.
Sarah Glazer
I was surprised to find mention of John Hopkins University's program Center for Talented Youth mentioned in that article since I was part of that program for four years, as was my sister. Both of us scored higher on verbal than on math, as did most of the girls I know who participated in the program. There's always the odd one out though, at times there are several, but as long as they are in the minority they're still the odd ones out. Although much of what is said in the article is true, from both sides of every argument, there remains the women and men who break the rules or stereotypes and I think that needs to be remembered. All this study of the brain that says men are better at this than women makes the reader forget that although there are more men than women, there are still many successful women as well.
Like all arguments that come down to nature versus nurture, I think it has to be a combination of the two. There's indisputable differences between the brain chemistry of men and women and that has to have some effect, but it isn't everything. Neither is the environment the only factor. Lives of people are made up of so many variables that it's almost impossible to completely simplify them. There's some evidence though that teaching styles effect children differently because when schools switch to one or another it does make a difference.
There's something to be said for the fact that learning at earlier levels have evened out significantly. I think that the reason there are so few female professors compared to the number of females with high degrees is because of the previous generations view on gender differences, and when the current more androgynous generation reaches the higher levels of education and of every factor of the work force than hopefully and most likely in my mind the fields will even out, at least as much as people want them too.
Gender and Learning -- Summary
Reserve Reading
Sarah Glazer
There is a difference between the amount of men and women in every subject at every level, be it a huge difference or one that is almost indefinable. At each stage, in each field, arguments are being made that these differences are caused either by biological or social/environmental factors. In the 1800's more than women used to be in science which sparked a trend in teaching to favor boys, now the opposite is true and teaching is changing again. At the moment, recipients of bachelors degrees have evened out in general, although there still are more men than women receiving engineering and computer science degrees.
This can be put down to women's lack of interest in the subject, which can be because they are socially trained not to be interested or because they biologically aren't wired to like that kind of learning. Or it can be put down to discrimination at any age, starting from the way that parents view their children and act toward their children, to who mentors female students and how they do so. Millions, probably billions of collars have been poured into evening out the playing field in sciencs, but some people still argue that you can't even it out if women don't want to even it out.
Summers, the president of Harvard, made a comment about intristic apptitudes, leaning towards the biological view that women are just not as interested in or worse at the natural sciences. After four months of arguments and demonstrations, Summer put $50 mil into hiring female faculties into tenured positions and more. Instituions across the country reevaluated their own departments in the face of this.
Sarah Glazer
There is a difference between the amount of men and women in every subject at every level, be it a huge difference or one that is almost indefinable. At each stage, in each field, arguments are being made that these differences are caused either by biological or social/environmental factors. In the 1800's more than women used to be in science which sparked a trend in teaching to favor boys, now the opposite is true and teaching is changing again. At the moment, recipients of bachelors degrees have evened out in general, although there still are more men than women receiving engineering and computer science degrees.
This can be put down to women's lack of interest in the subject, which can be because they are socially trained not to be interested or because they biologically aren't wired to like that kind of learning. Or it can be put down to discrimination at any age, starting from the way that parents view their children and act toward their children, to who mentors female students and how they do so. Millions, probably billions of collars have been poured into evening out the playing field in sciencs, but some people still argue that you can't even it out if women don't want to even it out.
Summers, the president of Harvard, made a comment about intristic apptitudes, leaning towards the biological view that women are just not as interested in or worse at the natural sciences. After four months of arguments and demonstrations, Summer put $50 mil into hiring female faculties into tenured positions and more. Instituions across the country reevaluated their own departments in the face of this.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Gender Pay Gap -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
Thomas J. Billitteri
The fact that there is a wage gap, whether it's because of personal choices, sex discrimination, or anything else is discouraging. It makes women think that they are worth less than men, that their skills have less merit, and creates a general anti-female view of the work place. I'm sure that there still is sex-discrimination, whether or not it creates the wage gap, or a significant part of the wage gap I couldn't say. I think it comes down to a persons opinoin as much as it does to the actual facts. Facts can be twisted to support any number of theories.
It's interesting to know thath there are women on both sides of every issue surrounding the wage gap, whether there is one, how to fix it, whether comparable worth is actually worth something. It means that it's not just men putting down women, but the society looking at the issue as a whole. I find comfort in the fact that the wage gap has been steadily decreasing and somewhere in the article it mentioned that at the rate the gap is decreasing, in 50 years there should be near equality. I definately hope so, not that I like that it's there, but if all else fails, at least there's hope that time will sort it out.
This makes sense as more and more people, both men and women, are being raised under working mothers and it's becoming more acceptable for women to work. Hopefully this will liberalize the view on women working so that the next wave of bosses and managers see no difference between male and female applicants.
Thomas J. Billitteri
The fact that there is a wage gap, whether it's because of personal choices, sex discrimination, or anything else is discouraging. It makes women think that they are worth less than men, that their skills have less merit, and creates a general anti-female view of the work place. I'm sure that there still is sex-discrimination, whether or not it creates the wage gap, or a significant part of the wage gap I couldn't say. I think it comes down to a persons opinoin as much as it does to the actual facts. Facts can be twisted to support any number of theories.
It's interesting to know thath there are women on both sides of every issue surrounding the wage gap, whether there is one, how to fix it, whether comparable worth is actually worth something. It means that it's not just men putting down women, but the society looking at the issue as a whole. I find comfort in the fact that the wage gap has been steadily decreasing and somewhere in the article it mentioned that at the rate the gap is decreasing, in 50 years there should be near equality. I definately hope so, not that I like that it's there, but if all else fails, at least there's hope that time will sort it out.
This makes sense as more and more people, both men and women, are being raised under working mothers and it's becoming more acceptable for women to work. Hopefully this will liberalize the view on women working so that the next wave of bosses and managers see no difference between male and female applicants.
Gender Pay Gap -- Summary
Reserve Reading
Thomas J. Billitteri
There is a gender pay gap, of some kind, for some reason, that may or may not be disappearing. The research is too controversial for a reader to be able to draw an answer without an opinion. Any conclusion on the wage gap is as much an opinion as it is an answer based on research. What is known, is that the wage gap has dramatically decreased since women first dramatically entered the work force in around the 1850's. It continued to decrease, most dramatically during war eras when men were fighting, leaving jobs and the economy in the hands of the women.
Hillary Clinton has been working to pass a bill to create a law on comparable worth, a very controversial issue that has already been struck down once. It argues that equal pay for equal work is a more efficient way of decreasing wage discrimination than the same pay for the same job. Two different jobs could actually involve the same amount of work, just be titled differently and therefore if a woman was in one and a man in the other she could be making less money.
An argument against comparable worth is that it would bring the government into business with a force and would therefore take control out of the private sector. It would also tell women that the government doesn't believe that they can make gains in the jobs where they are. This is against the pro-comparable worth argument that some wage discrimination is based on historical views on women's jobs versus men's jobs. Women were always paid less so the jobs they usually take are paid less.
Thomas J. Billitteri
There is a gender pay gap, of some kind, for some reason, that may or may not be disappearing. The research is too controversial for a reader to be able to draw an answer without an opinion. Any conclusion on the wage gap is as much an opinion as it is an answer based on research. What is known, is that the wage gap has dramatically decreased since women first dramatically entered the work force in around the 1850's. It continued to decrease, most dramatically during war eras when men were fighting, leaving jobs and the economy in the hands of the women.
Hillary Clinton has been working to pass a bill to create a law on comparable worth, a very controversial issue that has already been struck down once. It argues that equal pay for equal work is a more efficient way of decreasing wage discrimination than the same pay for the same job. Two different jobs could actually involve the same amount of work, just be titled differently and therefore if a woman was in one and a man in the other she could be making less money.
An argument against comparable worth is that it would bring the government into business with a force and would therefore take control out of the private sector. It would also tell women that the government doesn't believe that they can make gains in the jobs where they are. This is against the pro-comparable worth argument that some wage discrimination is based on historical views on women's jobs versus men's jobs. Women were always paid less so the jobs they usually take are paid less.
First Ladies in the States -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
Laura van Assendelft and Bernadette Nye
I can't wait until a time when there can be research done on the husbands of governors. Pr. van Assendelft mentioned in class that there was one husband at the time, but he didn't get a survey. It was interesting to see how these women have created new careers for themselves especially because they mostly had to put their own careers in the back seat. Personally, I would never like to be known as the governor's wife, or as anyone's wife. I am my own person, not just a relation to another person.
It's still good to know that there are people out there who can take their position and use it. There will always be governors spouses, no matter what gender. There will also always be presidential spouses, hopefully soon we'll have a male one of those too. So it is ever important to study what these people do. I would like to talk personally to these women, but also to see a more recent survey because I know of more female governors now. My state, Connecticut, currently has Jodi Rell as governor, although she got it through being lieutenant governor first.
Another intersting group of people to look at would be the children of governors, teenagers would surely have input on their parents political activity, although I don't know how many governors actually have teenage children when they're in office. It's great that many governor's spouses are championing causes, specifically breast cancer. You can see the play out of the recent surge of breast cancer awareness activity in each state and nationally. These women are obviously making a difference and will continue to do so.
Laura van Assendelft and Bernadette Nye
I can't wait until a time when there can be research done on the husbands of governors. Pr. van Assendelft mentioned in class that there was one husband at the time, but he didn't get a survey. It was interesting to see how these women have created new careers for themselves especially because they mostly had to put their own careers in the back seat. Personally, I would never like to be known as the governor's wife, or as anyone's wife. I am my own person, not just a relation to another person.
It's still good to know that there are people out there who can take their position and use it. There will always be governors spouses, no matter what gender. There will also always be presidential spouses, hopefully soon we'll have a male one of those too. So it is ever important to study what these people do. I would like to talk personally to these women, but also to see a more recent survey because I know of more female governors now. My state, Connecticut, currently has Jodi Rell as governor, although she got it through being lieutenant governor first.
Another intersting group of people to look at would be the children of governors, teenagers would surely have input on their parents political activity, although I don't know how many governors actually have teenage children when they're in office. It's great that many governor's spouses are championing causes, specifically breast cancer. You can see the play out of the recent surge of breast cancer awareness activity in each state and nationally. These women are obviously making a difference and will continue to do so.
First Ladies in the States -- Summary
Reserve Reading
Laura van Assendelft and Bernadette Nye
First Ladies of States, if not as nationally influential as the First Lady, have just as much of an impact in their state. The research in the article was particularly interesting because it was so recent whereas the First Lady article only had two or three really recent women. One of the women wrote that the time of the cookie-cutter governor's spouse was over. Now that women are getting more involved in the workforce that is happening more over the entire country.
It wasn't surprising to read that most of the FL's of state's favorite activity was to meet people. If I were in that position, I would do the same thing. They were also used as a more personal extension of the governor, they had more time to travel and communicate with the local people. FL's tended to like smaller, more intimate gatherings than the ceremonial, large affairs. They also almost all championed typical women's issues so as not to endanger their husbands career.
The media was reported as being quite friendly to the governor's wives, especially because they only championed typical women's issues. If they had taken on more political or controversial issues, they probably wouldn't have had such a general good relationship with the press. Some did report that they felt personally attacked when their husband was attacked by the press. They all believed that they had influence over their husbands and over their issues. Some lobbied, some didn't, so worked within the state and some within the public, but they all made a contribution in one way or another to their husbands candidacy.
Laura van Assendelft and Bernadette Nye
First Ladies of States, if not as nationally influential as the First Lady, have just as much of an impact in their state. The research in the article was particularly interesting because it was so recent whereas the First Lady article only had two or three really recent women. One of the women wrote that the time of the cookie-cutter governor's spouse was over. Now that women are getting more involved in the workforce that is happening more over the entire country.
It wasn't surprising to read that most of the FL's of state's favorite activity was to meet people. If I were in that position, I would do the same thing. They were also used as a more personal extension of the governor, they had more time to travel and communicate with the local people. FL's tended to like smaller, more intimate gatherings than the ceremonial, large affairs. They also almost all championed typical women's issues so as not to endanger their husbands career.
The media was reported as being quite friendly to the governor's wives, especially because they only championed typical women's issues. If they had taken on more political or controversial issues, they probably wouldn't have had such a general good relationship with the press. Some did report that they felt personally attacked when their husband was attacked by the press. They all believed that they had influence over their husbands and over their issues. Some lobbied, some didn't, so worked within the state and some within the public, but they all made a contribution in one way or another to their husbands candidacy.
Wives in the White House -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
Laura van Assendelft, Bernadette Nye, and Karen O'Connor
It doesn't surprise me that first ladies have had so much impact. In fact, I'm more surprised that that impact hasn't been previously studied. Who could have more impact then the person who whispers in the president's ear every morning and every night? It was interesting to read about how different women took advantage or shirked from the duties that first ladies were given. I particularly liked reading about women who technically did exactly what they were asked but did so much more within the area they were given, such as Dolly Madison.
The area that is deemed as the women's sphere has been viewed as less important or influential than men's, but I've always disagreed. What is more important than the home you live in? Sure morals and rights are great, and not unappreciated I'm sure, but what good are rights if you have no place to practice them, no family to return to? Some cultures view women as goddesses, since they can give, make or even take life (that is only through preganancy, miscarriage, and abortion of course). But in the United States women ahve always taken a backseat that other cultures think of as a throne.
Thankfully, women have been slowly climbing forward and pushing their husbands out of the way. Not to say that they push their husbands back, just over to make room. Jackie Kennedy, for example, didn't really tread into her husband's area but was very incluential where she practiced. When spouses work like that it means that they can cover even more ground than if they were always treading on each others feet. It will, of course, be interesting to see how Michelle Obama, who is already a contraversial figure, will affect the role of the first lady. Also, to see if the first female president will have previously been a first lady, such as Hillary Clinton. Only time will tell.
Laura van Assendelft, Bernadette Nye, and Karen O'Connor
It doesn't surprise me that first ladies have had so much impact. In fact, I'm more surprised that that impact hasn't been previously studied. Who could have more impact then the person who whispers in the president's ear every morning and every night? It was interesting to read about how different women took advantage or shirked from the duties that first ladies were given. I particularly liked reading about women who technically did exactly what they were asked but did so much more within the area they were given, such as Dolly Madison.
The area that is deemed as the women's sphere has been viewed as less important or influential than men's, but I've always disagreed. What is more important than the home you live in? Sure morals and rights are great, and not unappreciated I'm sure, but what good are rights if you have no place to practice them, no family to return to? Some cultures view women as goddesses, since they can give, make or even take life (that is only through preganancy, miscarriage, and abortion of course). But in the United States women ahve always taken a backseat that other cultures think of as a throne.
Thankfully, women have been slowly climbing forward and pushing their husbands out of the way. Not to say that they push their husbands back, just over to make room. Jackie Kennedy, for example, didn't really tread into her husband's area but was very incluential where she practiced. When spouses work like that it means that they can cover even more ground than if they were always treading on each others feet. It will, of course, be interesting to see how Michelle Obama, who is already a contraversial figure, will affect the role of the first lady. Also, to see if the first female president will have previously been a first lady, such as Hillary Clinton. Only time will tell.
Wives in the White House -- Summary
Reserve Reading
Laura van Assendelft, Bernadette Nye, and Karen O'Connor
The power behind the thrown is a saying that I grew up with, referring to queens with kings, wives with husbands on any level although I usually heard it from my stepmother. This article describes the power behind the president, the first lady. Throughout history first ladies have had great impact on their husbands, just as all wives do. Although not all first ladies were actively involved in politics, some made huge strides for women, future first ladies, and whatever policies they were fighting for.
First Ladies have continued to use their realm of influence and just, expanded inside it while tentatively testing the boundaries of it. Martha Washington started out by hosting parties and dinners for foreign dignitaries as well as for members of the American Government. This greatly helped George Washington while he struggled to keep the fledgling country together. Since that very first first lady, first ladies have been expected to be hostess and decorator of the White House as well as representatives and surrogates for their husbands.
The influence of First Ladies and Vice Presidents were compared, and first ladies came out on top. Throughout history they have had more press coverage and closer proximity to the president and all his staff. Originally the vice president was connected to the Senate and the legislative branch of government instead of the executive branch. This had to change when presidents such as Eisenhower got sick in office or were assassinated. But before it was the vice presidents job to step in, the first ladies were there to "take care of their husbands" by running the country for them. Eleanor Roosevelt is a great example of this, she basically ran the country while her husband was suffering from illnesses and toured for him while he was busy with World War II.
However, because women have been making so many strides in other fields of politics, the role of the First Lady has possibly stopped evolving for now. Women tend not to plan to be first lady any more if they have political aspirations because there are so many other opportunities open to them that didn't exist for women earlier in the nation's history. It will still be interesting to see how Michelle Obama expands or lies within the current boundaries set by for the "office" of the first lady.
Laura van Assendelft, Bernadette Nye, and Karen O'Connor
The power behind the thrown is a saying that I grew up with, referring to queens with kings, wives with husbands on any level although I usually heard it from my stepmother. This article describes the power behind the president, the first lady. Throughout history first ladies have had great impact on their husbands, just as all wives do. Although not all first ladies were actively involved in politics, some made huge strides for women, future first ladies, and whatever policies they were fighting for.
First Ladies have continued to use their realm of influence and just, expanded inside it while tentatively testing the boundaries of it. Martha Washington started out by hosting parties and dinners for foreign dignitaries as well as for members of the American Government. This greatly helped George Washington while he struggled to keep the fledgling country together. Since that very first first lady, first ladies have been expected to be hostess and decorator of the White House as well as representatives and surrogates for their husbands.
The influence of First Ladies and Vice Presidents were compared, and first ladies came out on top. Throughout history they have had more press coverage and closer proximity to the president and all his staff. Originally the vice president was connected to the Senate and the legislative branch of government instead of the executive branch. This had to change when presidents such as Eisenhower got sick in office or were assassinated. But before it was the vice presidents job to step in, the first ladies were there to "take care of their husbands" by running the country for them. Eleanor Roosevelt is a great example of this, she basically ran the country while her husband was suffering from illnesses and toured for him while he was busy with World War II.
However, because women have been making so many strides in other fields of politics, the role of the First Lady has possibly stopped evolving for now. Women tend not to plan to be first lady any more if they have political aspirations because there are so many other opportunities open to them that didn't exist for women earlier in the nation's history. It will still be interesting to see how Michelle Obama expands or lies within the current boundaries set by for the "office" of the first lady.
Women in the Judiciary -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
The most surprising thing about this article was how recent the advancements in the judicial system were. Sandra Day O'Connor was only appointed in 1981 as the first female member of the Supreme Court. Ruth Ginsburg after her was only the second, and the article didn't cover any women since then so I'm assuming there haven't been any. It's encouraging that the levels of women in law school is even to the number of men. This means that the eligibility pool is developing, even though in class we've discussed how the pipeline theory doesn't actually work that well.
I was very interested, and actually relieved, to find that women don't judge particularly differently than men. As the article states, it does lend a certain amount of viability to the judiciary system. it also makes women seem less opinionated and feminist-y. It would be interesting to see whether the court system as a whole has changed since the induction of women into it. The article seemed to assess how women voted differently from men, while the women interviewed said they were affecting how the men voted. Isn't it possible that rather than voting against the male judges, female judges are actually changing how the men vote?
The most surprising thing about this article was how recent the advancements in the judicial system were. Sandra Day O'Connor was only appointed in 1981 as the first female member of the Supreme Court. Ruth Ginsburg after her was only the second, and the article didn't cover any women since then so I'm assuming there haven't been any. It's encouraging that the levels of women in law school is even to the number of men. This means that the eligibility pool is developing, even though in class we've discussed how the pipeline theory doesn't actually work that well.
I was very interested, and actually relieved, to find that women don't judge particularly differently than men. As the article states, it does lend a certain amount of viability to the judiciary system. it also makes women seem less opinionated and feminist-y. It would be interesting to see whether the court system as a whole has changed since the induction of women into it. The article seemed to assess how women voted differently from men, while the women interviewed said they were affecting how the men voted. Isn't it possible that rather than voting against the male judges, female judges are actually changing how the men vote?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Women in the Judiciary -- Notes
Reserve Reading
-state judges always seen as older, white males either kind or stern
-attourneys before judges-courts provide one of the most frequent connections between people and government
-courts effect everyday law and gender bias-viewed as defending minorities and women, both civil rights and women movements went to the courts
-judges can only make decisions on cases that are brought before them and are expected to be impartial but who the judge is can still affect the outcome-argue that judge benches should be diverse to represent diverse ideas
-Margaret Brent = first known woman practicing law in US in Maryland colonies in around 1638-didn't marry, held land, 124 cases, referred to as gentleman Margaret Brent
-Lusy Terry Prince = first woman to address Supreme court-women abolitionists linked to law and then suffrage
-many in west viewed women equally from the start of fronteir life-first women practice law as profession in Iowa in 1869
-Belle Babb Mansfield also from Iowa = first recognized attorney-Myra Colby Bradwell denied practicing law in Chicago after passing the bar and brought it to Supreme Court but she lost 8 -1
-Justice Bradley wrote the one concurrent view
-1882: Illinois let women be admitted to the bar but it was a state by state battle, with Georgia as the last state in 1916
-Equity Club = first national org for women lawyers in 1886
-Belva Lockwood = part who was 1st wmn to practice before Supreme Court
-1890: Equity Club disbanded with only 280 wmn practicing in the country
-Before 70's most women lawyers worked for the gov or for family issues
-women's mvement helped female law students as did depletion of men during vietnam
-1971: wmn = 9.4% of law students. 1981: wmn = 35.8%
-Now women make up 49% of law students
-2002: wmn = 29% of lawyers, more in gov then men but only 14.5% of partners in law firms
-wmn lawyers make less money and still suffer gender discrimination
-Esther Morris = 1st wmn as jurist in 1869: part time justice of peace
-Carrie Burnham Kilgore, 1st female grad of U of PA Law School appointed master in chancery in 1886
-Georgia Bullock on LA wmn court made for women to judge wmn and then moved up to superior court in LA in 1932
-Florence Allen = 1st wmn on federal bench in 1934 on US Court of Appeals
-Burnita Shelton Matthews in district court for DC by Pres Truman in 1949, worked with wmns parties after starting her own law practice and introduced original test for ERA
-Matthews only hire women as her law clerks
-Sarah Hughes appointed by JFK in 1961 + she swore in Johnson after JFK was assasinated
-Carter appointed 40 wmn to federal bench by looking at a wider range of candidates
-Reagan only 7.5% wmn while Carter 14.4% but then Bush 1 had 19.6% and clinton went to 28.5
-reagan focused on ideology while Clinton focused on diversity in judges
-George W Bush had 26.5% wmn
-Reagan appointed O'Connor as 1st female Supreme Court judge in 1981
-1993: Clinton appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg to S.C.
-Jan 2005: wmn = 28% of justices on state courts
-15 wmn serve as chief justices out of 52 seats
-justices in states usually either appointed or elected
-26 states have judges appointed by elections
-one idea: appointing judges depresses diversity because they look at conventional backgrounds or they could be better for women because people would look at their backgrounds
-states happy even with minimal gender represenstation
-in election scandidates stress professional experience and phiolsophy not gender
-the bigger the court, the more likely to have female rep
-wmn more likely to be in public sector prior to being judges
-recent guesses that 22% of state judges = female
-still gender bias in appointment of judges at all levels, focus on their apperance and personl life
-Carol Gilligans book focuses on womens voices, how men and wmn differ
-men tended to view morality in terms of fairness, concerned about individual rights
-wmn focus on caretakinh and look more at responsibilities in larger community
-young boys are more focused on the rules then girls, boys = competition, girls = cooperation
-men look for answer in existing rules whil women look for solutions to maintain relationships
-scholars work to connect Gilligan's theory to judge rulings
-scholars looked at O'Connor to see if she ruled differently, some said she did write with feminine view
-some times O'Connor looked at teh context and community over the individual
-some argue that she compromises from past experience not gender
-all studies found minimal difference between men and women's voices in the court
-originally women were actually harder on women then men were
-more female judges come and some differences are found, more liekyl to find sex discrimination
-O'Connor and Ginsburg wrote half of the majority opinions on wmns rights areas during their time and voted together on wmns rights cases 90% of the time
-found bigger diverse in party then in gender in MI study
-98% of wmn rudges believed that wmn brought difference to the bench and influenced male collegues on gender issues and their sensitivity
-law school and practice make a specific way of thinking that isn't gender biased
-the little difference means that hudges tend to look at the issues more no matter what their background is
-wmn sometimes face discrimination in the actual court room as clerks or attourneys
-wmn judges and attourneys more aware of the gender discrimination than males
-lead most states to create Gender Bias Task Force and adopted education programs
-in 90's backlash against Task Force lead some to believe it was actually working
-female judges still report some gender discrimination
-Justice Bradley wrote the one concurrent view
-1882: Illinois let women be admitted to the bar but it was a state by state battle, with Georgia as the last state in 1916
-Equity Club = first national org for women lawyers in 1886
-Belva Lockwood = part who was 1st wmn to practice before Supreme Court
-1890: Equity Club disbanded with only 280 wmn practicing in the country
-Before 70's most women lawyers worked for the gov or for family issues
-women's mvement helped female law students as did depletion of men during vietnam
-1971: wmn = 9.4% of law students. 1981: wmn = 35.8%
-Now women make up 49% of law students
-2002: wmn = 29% of lawyers, more in gov then men but only 14.5% of partners in law firms
-wmn lawyers make less money and still suffer gender discrimination
-Esther Morris = 1st wmn as jurist in 1869: part time justice of peace
-Carrie Burnham Kilgore, 1st female grad of U of PA Law School appointed master in chancery in 1886
-Georgia Bullock on LA wmn court made for women to judge wmn and then moved up to superior court in LA in 1932
-Florence Allen = 1st wmn on federal bench in 1934 on US Court of Appeals
-Burnita Shelton Matthews in district court for DC by Pres Truman in 1949, worked with wmns parties after starting her own law practice and introduced original test for ERA
-Matthews only hire women as her law clerks
-Sarah Hughes appointed by JFK in 1961 + she swore in Johnson after JFK was assasinated
-Carter appointed 40 wmn to federal bench by looking at a wider range of candidates
-Reagan only 7.5% wmn while Carter 14.4% but then Bush 1 had 19.6% and clinton went to 28.5
-reagan focused on ideology while Clinton focused on diversity in judges
-George W Bush had 26.5% wmn
-Reagan appointed O'Connor as 1st female Supreme Court judge in 1981
-1993: Clinton appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg to S.C.
-Jan 2005: wmn = 28% of justices on state courts
-15 wmn serve as chief justices out of 52 seats
-justices in states usually either appointed or elected
-26 states have judges appointed by elections
-one idea: appointing judges depresses diversity because they look at conventional backgrounds or they could be better for women because people would look at their backgrounds
-states happy even with minimal gender represenstation
-in election scandidates stress professional experience and phiolsophy not gender
-the bigger the court, the more likely to have female rep
-wmn more likely to be in public sector prior to being judges
-recent guesses that 22% of state judges = female
-still gender bias in appointment of judges at all levels, focus on their apperance and personl life
-Carol Gilligans book focuses on womens voices, how men and wmn differ
-men tended to view morality in terms of fairness, concerned about individual rights
-wmn focus on caretakinh and look more at responsibilities in larger community
-young boys are more focused on the rules then girls, boys = competition, girls = cooperation
-men look for answer in existing rules whil women look for solutions to maintain relationships
-scholars work to connect Gilligan's theory to judge rulings
-scholars looked at O'Connor to see if she ruled differently, some said she did write with feminine view
-some times O'Connor looked at teh context and community over the individual
-some argue that she compromises from past experience not gender
-all studies found minimal difference between men and women's voices in the court
-originally women were actually harder on women then men were
-more female judges come and some differences are found, more liekyl to find sex discrimination
-O'Connor and Ginsburg wrote half of the majority opinions on wmns rights areas during their time and voted together on wmns rights cases 90% of the time
-found bigger diverse in party then in gender in MI study
-98% of wmn rudges believed that wmn brought difference to the bench and influenced male collegues on gender issues and their sensitivity
-law school and practice make a specific way of thinking that isn't gender biased
-the little difference means that hudges tend to look at the issues more no matter what their background is
-wmn sometimes face discrimination in the actual court room as clerks or attourneys
-wmn judges and attourneys more aware of the gender discrimination than males
-lead most states to create Gender Bias Task Force and adopted education programs
-in 90's backlash against Task Force lead some to believe it was actually working
-female judges still report some gender discrimination
Governor Swift: A Cautionary Tale -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
Governor Swift is an inspiration. Reading about her story when she had her kids is really interesting, but I'm more interested in what she's doing now. Her kids are older, and we haven't discussed whether or not she's gotten back into politics. I think it's too bad if she just faded to the background. The government really should have made it easier on her by giving her a place near the capitol so she didn't have to drive all that way.
I also don't understand at all the problem with other people watching her daughter, as long as they weren't working or getting paid for it. I do understand that people wouldn't want their tax dollars going specifically to the childcare of one kid, but as long as the working people were on break or doing something else at the same time I don't see the problem, plenty of women and men do that when they don't have anything else to do with their kids. I remember sitting in my father's office building for hours as a girl with my sister, rummaging through the office fridge.
There is some merit behind the uproar when she cut down on welfare for women who might have been in a similar situation to her if she wasn't the governor. But since I don't actually know much about her policies, I can't say much on that subject. Most fo what we remember and learn about her are her babies, her pregnancy, and how she dealt with them rather then her actual issues. That right there is a major issue. Even history is biased.
Governor Swift is an inspiration. Reading about her story when she had her kids is really interesting, but I'm more interested in what she's doing now. Her kids are older, and we haven't discussed whether or not she's gotten back into politics. I think it's too bad if she just faded to the background. The government really should have made it easier on her by giving her a place near the capitol so she didn't have to drive all that way.
I also don't understand at all the problem with other people watching her daughter, as long as they weren't working or getting paid for it. I do understand that people wouldn't want their tax dollars going specifically to the childcare of one kid, but as long as the working people were on break or doing something else at the same time I don't see the problem, plenty of women and men do that when they don't have anything else to do with their kids. I remember sitting in my father's office building for hours as a girl with my sister, rummaging through the office fridge.
There is some merit behind the uproar when she cut down on welfare for women who might have been in a similar situation to her if she wasn't the governor. But since I don't actually know much about her policies, I can't say much on that subject. Most fo what we remember and learn about her are her babies, her pregnancy, and how she dealt with them rather then her actual issues. That right there is a major issue. Even history is biased.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Governor Swift: A Cautionary Tale -- Notes
Reserve Reading
-women enter politics 10 yrs later then men, after children
-Ost 1998, Swift was 33, gave birth to baby girl less then 3 weeks before MA elected her as lieutenant gov
-career had sharp ups and downs, Dec 2000 only 17% approval
-Used colleagues to babysit for her
-Bush named the Gov ambassador to Canada so Swift got the seat
-April 2001, she's gov + pregnant with twins due in may
-arranged for meetings on speaker phone from her hospital bed, one previous gov had done so from a jail
-read her reports in the long commute because there wasn't a govs house close to work
-two planes in 9/11 took off from Boston and she fought to make airport security national
-March 19, 2002 Swift announced she wasn't going to run for election
-When she was 6, Swift's father took her to campaign meetings
-Graduated from Trinity College in Hartford
-Ran for Senate at 24 without knowing what she was going to face
-In 1990 people wanted a change and a young woman was exactly that, her opponent helped her by making her look younger and insulting the fact that she was a deparment store clerk
-She won and became the youngest woman elected to state senate
-Swift was the 13th woman in MA state senate
-MA has a bad rep for electing women, only one as of 1998 in statewide office
-Almost won House of Reps in 1996
-Was made coordiantor of regional airports, and then state director of consumer affairs, then picked for lieutenant gov
-Pregnancy became a huge part of the campaign and Swift denied to answer many questions
-Swift found women were much more skeptical of her and her hardest voting block
-Had a c-section about 2 weeks before the vote, which they then won
-1998 huge Democratic year and yet they won as republicans
-affected appointment of public safety coordinator to Jane Perlov
-had huge responsibilities as lieutenant gov which was more then others would have done
-sometimes had people in the office babysit for her but she argued that it was because they were friends before she got elected
-helped women get places in the government, including head of judiciary
-Swift left it up to the democratic woman and Mitt Romney who won. She was too progressive for the main Republican party and MA was to against women
-women enter politics 10 yrs later then men, after children
-Ost 1998, Swift was 33, gave birth to baby girl less then 3 weeks before MA elected her as lieutenant gov
-career had sharp ups and downs, Dec 2000 only 17% approval
-Used colleagues to babysit for her
-Bush named the Gov ambassador to Canada so Swift got the seat
-April 2001, she's gov + pregnant with twins due in may
-arranged for meetings on speaker phone from her hospital bed, one previous gov had done so from a jail
-read her reports in the long commute because there wasn't a govs house close to work
-two planes in 9/11 took off from Boston and she fought to make airport security national
-March 19, 2002 Swift announced she wasn't going to run for election
-When she was 6, Swift's father took her to campaign meetings
-Graduated from Trinity College in Hartford
-Ran for Senate at 24 without knowing what she was going to face
-In 1990 people wanted a change and a young woman was exactly that, her opponent helped her by making her look younger and insulting the fact that she was a deparment store clerk
-She won and became the youngest woman elected to state senate
-Swift was the 13th woman in MA state senate
-MA has a bad rep for electing women, only one as of 1998 in statewide office
-Almost won House of Reps in 1996
-Was made coordiantor of regional airports, and then state director of consumer affairs, then picked for lieutenant gov
-Pregnancy became a huge part of the campaign and Swift denied to answer many questions
-Swift found women were much more skeptical of her and her hardest voting block
-Had a c-section about 2 weeks before the vote, which they then won
-1998 huge Democratic year and yet they won as republicans
-affected appointment of public safety coordinator to Jane Perlov
-had huge responsibilities as lieutenant gov which was more then others would have done
-sometimes had people in the office babysit for her but she argued that it was because they were friends before she got elected
-helped women get places in the government, including head of judiciary
-Swift left it up to the democratic woman and Mitt Romney who won. She was too progressive for the main Republican party and MA was to against women
Different but Important -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
It's always incredible and inspiring to read about women who have made differences in your life, differences they you didn't even know about before. Barbara Mikulski is an extremely intense woman, which her writing reflects. She worked with the new women in 1992 to get them aquainted with Senate. This is one of the main differences between the women and the men, to the women it wasn't this huge competition. They had all gotten into Senate, and they should all try and be s successful as possible. Even though they didn't agree on ll their issues, they could come together on the ones they did agree on.
Coming together has actually always been one of the provblems with the women's movements because women themselves are so divided on different subjects. But there are also always the ones that everyone agrees on, like the fact that a stay at home woman, or man, should get the same tax deductions as a working spouse. The woman are working together, with male colleagues, to get work in the home recoginzed for the hard work that it is.
Mikulski started by giving a tutorial to all her democratic women colleagues and then she extended it to Republican women as well. There was some real work across party lines which is always good because it makes for a cohesive government.
It's always incredible and inspiring to read about women who have made differences in your life, differences they you didn't even know about before. Barbara Mikulski is an extremely intense woman, which her writing reflects. She worked with the new women in 1992 to get them aquainted with Senate. This is one of the main differences between the women and the men, to the women it wasn't this huge competition. They had all gotten into Senate, and they should all try and be s successful as possible. Even though they didn't agree on ll their issues, they could come together on the ones they did agree on.
Coming together has actually always been one of the provblems with the women's movements because women themselves are so divided on different subjects. But there are also always the ones that everyone agrees on, like the fact that a stay at home woman, or man, should get the same tax deductions as a working spouse. The woman are working together, with male colleagues, to get work in the home recoginzed for the hard work that it is.
Mikulski started by giving a tutorial to all her democratic women colleagues and then she extended it to Republican women as well. There was some real work across party lines which is always good because it makes for a cohesive government.
Different But Important -- Notes
Reserve Reading
Barbara Mikulski
-old senate chamber, old architecture, then became supreme court room
-1992, year of wman, lots of new women, democratic majority in senate again
-"I was by myself, but I was never alone" -Mikulski (was only dem woman in congress before 92)
-Mikulski first elected 1986, first woman to be elected in her own right
-didn't want to be one of the boys, wanted to be part of the gang
-wasn't afraid of asking people for help and she did all her work
-got put on Appropriation and Education and Labor
-took a different route to politics, through community need not through a law firm
-convinced Barbara Boxer of CA to run because she could do more in Senate then house of reps
-Mikulski also wrote book with Oates about a woman in Senate
-provided new wmn with training sessions and even manuals for Senate, "wouldn't be every woman for herself"
-Told women to have defined principles, she had her own on a notecard that all her staff carried
-1996 Senate back Republican and Mikulski worked with women from both parties to ensure civility, all women were invited to her seminar
-Mikulski's supportive work was to help the women form their own ideas, not to make them conform to hers
-Olympia Snowe worked on getting helath care passed for women, Women's Helath Equity Act
-1997 National Cancer Institute decided that it was unnessecary for women under 50 to get mamograms based on a study from Canda which many experts discredited
-Snowe worked with Mikulski and other women to get the NCI to support screenings for under forty and it passed 98-0
-Mikulski worked with Repudblican Hutchinson on the Homemaker IRA to make the tax deductions for stay at home spouses the same $2,000 as it was for working spouses instead of the $250 they were getting
-Hutchinson-Mikulski Bill had huge support from all the Senate women and a number of organizations
-Women worked together on all types of things that weren't gender specific as well, they worked for agendas
-Mikulski worked with Susan Collins in making a petition drive to stop the Congress from adjourning on a plan with more healthcare cuts
-Snowe: "the success of women in Senate is often a result of collaborative work, which comes more naturally to them"
-make it very clear that women aren't homogenous
-many senators served in the house of reps together so they already had relationships that could help stop or pass a bill
-Blanche Lincoln: you gain respect by being respectful, gain colleagues by acting like colleagues
-Patty Murray: knew to pick which fights to get into and that giong with your conscience could hurt your politics
-Her soncience this tim elinked to Tailhook scandal: 1991 Tailhook Annual Symposium party 83 women and 7 men assaulted. Women had their clothes torn off by drunken, groping men
-After investigation: 119 navy + 21 marine officers referred for possible disciplinary action, but nothing ever happened, many of them promoted + allowed to retire
-women got together and challenged it as a group so she wasn't labeled by herself as a flamethrower, they didn't win but they were heard.
Barbara Mikulski
-old senate chamber, old architecture, then became supreme court room
-1992, year of wman, lots of new women, democratic majority in senate again
-"I was by myself, but I was never alone" -Mikulski (was only dem woman in congress before 92)
-Mikulski first elected 1986, first woman to be elected in her own right
-didn't want to be one of the boys, wanted to be part of the gang
-wasn't afraid of asking people for help and she did all her work
-got put on Appropriation and Education and Labor
-took a different route to politics, through community need not through a law firm
-convinced Barbara Boxer of CA to run because she could do more in Senate then house of reps
-Mikulski also wrote book with Oates about a woman in Senate
-provided new wmn with training sessions and even manuals for Senate, "wouldn't be every woman for herself"
-Told women to have defined principles, she had her own on a notecard that all her staff carried
-1996 Senate back Republican and Mikulski worked with women from both parties to ensure civility, all women were invited to her seminar
-Mikulski's supportive work was to help the women form their own ideas, not to make them conform to hers
-Olympia Snowe worked on getting helath care passed for women, Women's Helath Equity Act
-1997 National Cancer Institute decided that it was unnessecary for women under 50 to get mamograms based on a study from Canda which many experts discredited
-Snowe worked with Mikulski and other women to get the NCI to support screenings for under forty and it passed 98-0
-Mikulski worked with Repudblican Hutchinson on the Homemaker IRA to make the tax deductions for stay at home spouses the same $2,000 as it was for working spouses instead of the $250 they were getting
-Hutchinson-Mikulski Bill had huge support from all the Senate women and a number of organizations
-Women worked together on all types of things that weren't gender specific as well, they worked for agendas
-Mikulski worked with Susan Collins in making a petition drive to stop the Congress from adjourning on a plan with more healthcare cuts
-Snowe: "the success of women in Senate is often a result of collaborative work, which comes more naturally to them"
-make it very clear that women aren't homogenous
-many senators served in the house of reps together so they already had relationships that could help stop or pass a bill
-Blanche Lincoln: you gain respect by being respectful, gain colleagues by acting like colleagues
-Patty Murray: knew to pick which fights to get into and that giong with your conscience could hurt your politics
-Her soncience this tim elinked to Tailhook scandal: 1991 Tailhook Annual Symposium party 83 women and 7 men assaulted. Women had their clothes torn off by drunken, groping men
-After investigation: 119 navy + 21 marine officers referred for possible disciplinary action, but nothing ever happened, many of them promoted + allowed to retire
-women got together and challenged it as a group so she wasn't labeled by herself as a flamethrower, they didn't win but they were heard.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Excuse Me, Miss, but Are You a Member? -- Notes
The Male Culture of the Capitol
Reserve Reading
-expected challenges not outright patronizing sexism
-women never viewed as "members" by anyone, even if they are important people
-"You look at my lapel; you don't look at my clothes."
-lots of stories of police/security not noticing or believing that the women are who they say they are.
-women's bathroom is located farther away from the House floor then mens room and the "cloakroom" : "the most blatant expressions of prevailing male clubbiness"
-John Dingell fell asleep in the cloakroom with a blanket but none of the women would be able to do that because they would look so vulnerable.
-huge strides in the last 25 years in the feminist movement as seen by Lynn Schenk
-no restroom for female staffers near the floor of the House
-Sexism in Congress similar to national sexism 25 years ago
-Women can't use the gym because there are no bathrooms for them and they have to call in advance
-Don't let it get you down, every woman has one vote which "speaks for 575,000 people"
-more fairness is smaller groups of politicians
-Among democrats in around 1993, the women and minorities outnumbered the white men
-"Of the 11,363 members who have served in the United States Congress, only 163 have been women"
-identifying "good old boys", the way they treat women with language
-sometimes overt politeness is worse then rudeness, more social then colleague to colleague
-"Second class citizens" who worry about being treated equally treat others better
-stories that "pages" are given lists of people to not be caught in an elevator with
-also discrepancies in the club for congresspeoples spouses,
-husbands have to learn how to take the backseat, be where wives traditionally are
-wmn bonding making it easier to bond with men not being exclusive
-being a woman can sometimes be a benefit because you stand out
-some entering wmn see no discrimination, all the freshman are treated the same
-other wmn think its there and that the others just ignore it, very different views
-wmn have to work with men to get things accomplished because there aren't enough women to get it done on their won
-"group action is fine to a point, then you have to prove yourself"
-there have been huge strides especially when women and men work together
-women have been mentoring each other and men have mentored too some.
-being a woman can sometimes be a benefit because you stand out
-some entering wmn see no discrimination, all the freshman are treated the same
-other wmn think its there and that the others just ignore it, very different views
-wmn have to work with men to get things accomplished because there aren't enough women to get it done on their won
-"group action is fine to a point, then you have to prove yourself"
-there have been huge strides especially when women and men work together
-women have been mentoring each other and men have mentored too some.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Excuse Me, Miss, but Are You a Member? -- Reaction
The Male Culture of the Capitol
Reserve Reading
There was a lot of surprising information in this reading. Unfortunately, there is a lot of discrimination even though some women argue that there isn't. The comments at the end were very insightful and well put. That it would be more effective for women to work with men instead of excluding them and working against them. It was very interesting to read all the different women's viewpoints on whether there was sexual discrimination or not.
There was a lot of surprising information in this reading. Unfortunately, there is a lot of discrimination even though some women argue that there isn't. The comments at the end were very insightful and well put. That it would be more effective for women to work with men instead of excluding them and working against them. It was very interesting to read all the different women's viewpoints on whether there was sexual discrimination or not.
The discrimination is a very hard thing to measure because there are so many factors in every person besides their sex. It's especially hard to tell whether newly entered women are being discriminated against because of their sex or their lack of seniority. It was also good to know that there are men working with women and for traditionally women's issues. The entire ballgame of politics is slowly becoming more androgynous, but there's a long way to go before it gets there.
Women Raising Money for Women -- Reaction
The Creation of EMILY's List
Reserve Reading
Ellen Malcolm's story, along with the stories of many of the women her group has helped, makes her a true inspiration. Of course, there is something to be said that to start off her PAC she had a lost of money that was passed down to her, but it's nice to know that it's possible she could have done what she did without it. The fact that she hid her wealth at first definitely leans towards that. I was glad to hear in class that she helped set up WISH List, a Republican version of EMILY's List, because her ideas and effective ways of fundraising should be extended to more then Democratic, pro-choice women.
She is, most likely, a highly controversial figure because of her support of abortion. The article wasn't really focused on that, although it was mentioned in the last paragraph. Even other Democrats have attacked her for splitting the party apart by choosing who to support and leaning behind them. However, it wouldn't be a particularly useful group if it didn't piss someone off, and the fact that it's worth attacking means that it is actually a threat. That was actually mentioned in the reading as well, that advisors did think their opponents being backed by EMILY's List was something to consider.
I had no idea about the Texas election, and I'm not surprised that Richards won after reading some of the excerpts of how Williams, her opponet, acted. The fact that she won by such a slim amount shows how much discrimination there still is. After I read the comment he made about rape being inevitable, I was just disgusted. And the fact that he wouldn't shake her hand? To me that isn't as big a deal, but it is just plain rude and stupid when running a campaign to do something that rude.
Reserve Reading
Ellen Malcolm's story, along with the stories of many of the women her group has helped, makes her a true inspiration. Of course, there is something to be said that to start off her PAC she had a lost of money that was passed down to her, but it's nice to know that it's possible she could have done what she did without it. The fact that she hid her wealth at first definitely leans towards that. I was glad to hear in class that she helped set up WISH List, a Republican version of EMILY's List, because her ideas and effective ways of fundraising should be extended to more then Democratic, pro-choice women.
She is, most likely, a highly controversial figure because of her support of abortion. The article wasn't really focused on that, although it was mentioned in the last paragraph. Even other Democrats have attacked her for splitting the party apart by choosing who to support and leaning behind them. However, it wouldn't be a particularly useful group if it didn't piss someone off, and the fact that it's worth attacking means that it is actually a threat. That was actually mentioned in the reading as well, that advisors did think their opponents being backed by EMILY's List was something to consider.
I had no idea about the Texas election, and I'm not surprised that Richards won after reading some of the excerpts of how Williams, her opponet, acted. The fact that she won by such a slim amount shows how much discrimination there still is. After I read the comment he made about rape being inevitable, I was just disgusted. And the fact that he wouldn't shake her hand? To me that isn't as big a deal, but it is just plain rude and stupid when running a campaign to do something that rude.
Women Raising Money for Women -- Notes
The Creation of EMILY's List
Reserve Reading
-Ellen Malcom, tall imposing, from Montclair, New Jersey, daughter of Repub committeewoman
-At Hollins College Malcolm got involved in antiwar movement + Gene McCarthy's pres campaign
-changed to a Democrat and worked at Common Cause and National Women's Political Caucus
-White House staff in 1980 as press secretary for Ester Peterson
-Father died when she was 8 months old and she had inherited much of the IBM fortune from him, but she didn't let people know it.
-Anonymous $5,000 checks went to the Caucus to advance women
-Went to Georgetown to get a master's degree in business and created a secret foundation named Wyndham Foundation after the street where she lived
-Lived in the building owned by her fund but no one drew the conclusion, so she decided to tell.
-1982, Malcolm tried to get Harriet Woods elected to Senate but people wouldn't help her fundraise
-Woods defeated Democrats person in primaries. Almost defeated Repub incumbent John Danforth, lost by 1% of the vote
-This loss made Malcolm act, she sent out a chain letter in 1984 describing the female candidates which asked women to contribute to the candidates of their choice and then pass the letter along
-After the defeats in 1984, decided money would only go to women who had a change of winning
-"Early Money is like Yeast, it makes the dough rise" (EMILY's List name)
-EMILY's List women contribute $100 annual membership fee, and give $100 or more to at least two candidates/year
-Malcolm traveled the country holding "Rolodex Parties" to raise money
-Had never raised money, hated public speaking, and yet it worked.
-Malcolm went against advice of marketing professor at Georgetown
-1986: EMILY's List first year of operation, it attracted six hundred doners, raised over $350,000 and claimed some credit for the 1st Dem woman ever elected to Senate in her own right
-Barbara Mikulski announced running, social worker/city council member from baltimore
-Mikulski unlikely prospect, old style, 4'11", but she got things done
-Part of the House from Baltimore
-"The Mouth" is her nickname, can be abrasive, champinoned many cuses
-risked safe house seat for senate at almost 50
-didn't "look like a senator"
-Mikulski ran against Barnes in primary and used Emily's List to establish her as a candidate and raise money.
-Was portrayed as hostile, but turned it into"When it comes to Maryland, I'm a fighter"
-accused of being a lesbian, common charge against female candidates, because she wasn't married, but it was a common state in her social status
-Won primary and then defeated Chaves to become Senator, and served for three terms
-Laid out a strategy to get recognition in Senate
-Tried to get onto the Appropriations board, met with many senior Senators in DC, only having an hour drive into DC from Maryland
-2 years later, made chairman of Appropriations subcommittee dealing with the space program/veteran affairs
-Wrote Captiol Offense with Marylouise Oates in 1996 about a new female senator
-Wood lost again due to bad advice and bad advertising; "The Crying Farmer"
-Emily's List disappointed and cut off Woods who went to lork at the Kennedy School at Harvard
-Woods became president of NWPC after cajolnig by Jody Newman
-Carol Mosely-Braun helped by Woods before by Emily's List
-Loretta Sanchez won against Robert Dornan without much helped from Emily's List
-1980's stalled Emily's List and women's progression, only two women won in 1988
-Martin became Bush's secretary of labor
-Feinstein in CA and Richards in TX ran fr gov in 1990 with Emily's List backing
-Ran against Williams who said "fog is like rape, if its inevitable, just relax and enjoy it"
-Also refused to shake Richards' hand at a public gathering
-Richards won against Williams with 51% to 49%
-Emily's List electing a governor almost tripled # of wmn in Emily's list, 12,00 in 1988 and 3,500 in 1990
-To be a candidate for Emily's List you must be prochoice and have a reasonable chance of winning
-1990's makes emily's List single most important endorsement for Dem woman candidate
-Used to be just Malcolm and Lichtman, her old boss at Women's Legal Dfense Fund
-1998: nearly 50,ooo members in all states, contributed $7.5 mill and helped elect 7 new pro-choice Dem women to the house
-Emily's List chaleneged as making divisions in the party.
Reserve Reading
-Ellen Malcom, tall imposing, from Montclair, New Jersey, daughter of Repub committeewoman
-At Hollins College Malcolm got involved in antiwar movement + Gene McCarthy's pres campaign
-changed to a Democrat and worked at Common Cause and National Women's Political Caucus
-White House staff in 1980 as press secretary for Ester Peterson
-Father died when she was 8 months old and she had inherited much of the IBM fortune from him, but she didn't let people know it.
-Anonymous $5,000 checks went to the Caucus to advance women
-Went to Georgetown to get a master's degree in business and created a secret foundation named Wyndham Foundation after the street where she lived
-Lived in the building owned by her fund but no one drew the conclusion, so she decided to tell.
-1982, Malcolm tried to get Harriet Woods elected to Senate but people wouldn't help her fundraise
-Woods defeated Democrats person in primaries. Almost defeated Repub incumbent John Danforth, lost by 1% of the vote
-This loss made Malcolm act, she sent out a chain letter in 1984 describing the female candidates which asked women to contribute to the candidates of their choice and then pass the letter along
-After the defeats in 1984, decided money would only go to women who had a change of winning
-"Early Money is like Yeast, it makes the dough rise" (EMILY's List name)
-EMILY's List women contribute $100 annual membership fee, and give $100 or more to at least two candidates/year
-Malcolm traveled the country holding "Rolodex Parties" to raise money
-Had never raised money, hated public speaking, and yet it worked.
-Malcolm went against advice of marketing professor at Georgetown
-1986: EMILY's List first year of operation, it attracted six hundred doners, raised over $350,000 and claimed some credit for the 1st Dem woman ever elected to Senate in her own right
-Barbara Mikulski announced running, social worker/city council member from baltimore
-Mikulski unlikely prospect, old style, 4'11", but she got things done
-Part of the House from Baltimore
-"The Mouth" is her nickname, can be abrasive, champinoned many cuses
-risked safe house seat for senate at almost 50
-didn't "look like a senator"
-Mikulski ran against Barnes in primary and used Emily's List to establish her as a candidate and raise money.
-Was portrayed as hostile, but turned it into"When it comes to Maryland, I'm a fighter"
-accused of being a lesbian, common charge against female candidates, because she wasn't married, but it was a common state in her social status
-Won primary and then defeated Chaves to become Senator, and served for three terms
-Laid out a strategy to get recognition in Senate
-Tried to get onto the Appropriations board, met with many senior Senators in DC, only having an hour drive into DC from Maryland
-2 years later, made chairman of Appropriations subcommittee dealing with the space program/veteran affairs
-Wrote Captiol Offense with Marylouise Oates in 1996 about a new female senator
-Wood lost again due to bad advice and bad advertising; "The Crying Farmer"
-Emily's List disappointed and cut off Woods who went to lork at the Kennedy School at Harvard
-Woods became president of NWPC after cajolnig by Jody Newman
-Carol Mosely-Braun helped by Woods before by Emily's List
-Loretta Sanchez won against Robert Dornan without much helped from Emily's List
-1980's stalled Emily's List and women's progression, only two women won in 1988
-Martin became Bush's secretary of labor
-Feinstein in CA and Richards in TX ran fr gov in 1990 with Emily's List backing
-Ran against Williams who said "fog is like rape, if its inevitable, just relax and enjoy it"
-Also refused to shake Richards' hand at a public gathering
-Richards won against Williams with 51% to 49%
-Emily's List electing a governor almost tripled # of wmn in Emily's list, 12,00 in 1988 and 3,500 in 1990
-To be a candidate for Emily's List you must be prochoice and have a reasonable chance of winning
-1990's makes emily's List single most important endorsement for Dem woman candidate
-Used to be just Malcolm and Lichtman, her old boss at Women's Legal Dfense Fund
-1998: nearly 50,ooo members in all states, contributed $7.5 mill and helped elect 7 new pro-choice Dem women to the house
-Emily's List chaleneged as making divisions in the party.
Style Over Substance -- Reaction
Newspaper Coverage of Female Candidates: Spotlight on Elizabeth Dole
- Sean Aday and James Devitt
Reserve Reading
The entire time I was reading this, I was thinking about what would happen in a similar study of the Democratic race during this year. Even just glancing through articles it's obvious that Hillary Clinton's personal traits were emphasized, but I have no way of comparing that. It's truly unfair and demonstrates how wide-spread sexual discrimination is. The fact that men cover women differently and the inequality in the press arena just shows that women are fighting in every field. Even if we managed to reach political equality, it would have to be accompanied in equality with almost every other field of work.
The fact that all of these fields reflect each other and that there is a fight in each of them offers an explanation for why equality is trudging along such a slow path. It would be interesting to examine a female dominated newspaper, if there are any ones, that is at the same height of importance as a male dominated one, and see how it's read and reacted too. In even more connections, newspapers tend to cater to their readers, so it depends on whether men or women read the newspaper more. The connections just keep going. But hopefully, that also means that offsetting one would start a chain reaction.
Reading this has inspired me to go research Elizabeth Dole, who I knew nothing about until reading these articles. What she's doing now, and what her policies were. I also had no idea that McCain had run before, and event hen the press were after him, although they were after everyone.
- Sean Aday and James Devitt
Reserve Reading
The entire time I was reading this, I was thinking about what would happen in a similar study of the Democratic race during this year. Even just glancing through articles it's obvious that Hillary Clinton's personal traits were emphasized, but I have no way of comparing that. It's truly unfair and demonstrates how wide-spread sexual discrimination is. The fact that men cover women differently and the inequality in the press arena just shows that women are fighting in every field. Even if we managed to reach political equality, it would have to be accompanied in equality with almost every other field of work.
The fact that all of these fields reflect each other and that there is a fight in each of them offers an explanation for why equality is trudging along such a slow path. It would be interesting to examine a female dominated newspaper, if there are any ones, that is at the same height of importance as a male dominated one, and see how it's read and reacted too. In even more connections, newspapers tend to cater to their readers, so it depends on whether men or women read the newspaper more. The connections just keep going. But hopefully, that also means that offsetting one would start a chain reaction.
Reading this has inspired me to go research Elizabeth Dole, who I knew nothing about until reading these articles. What she's doing now, and what her policies were. I also had no idea that McCain had run before, and event hen the press were after him, although they were after everyone.
Style Over Substance -- Notes
Newspaper Coverage of Female Candidates: Spotlight on Elizabeth Dole
- Sean Aday and James Devitt
Reserve Reading
-After Geraldine Ferraro's nomination:
-"Ferraro has nicer legs than any previous vice-presidential candidate"
-"Will she be the first VP to enter a wet T-shirt contest?"
-If she became president:
-"What is she is supposed to push the button to fire missiles and can't because she's just done her nails?"
-"Does the country go to hell during that 'time' of the month?"
-Similar conditions still exist for female elected officials
-biased coverage of women is not isolated, it's systematic, differences in coverage that undermine female candidates
-66% of Americans say press would be tougher on female pres then male
-Academia mostly studied gov/congress running, but studied how Dole was covered
Executive Summary
-Quantity: Dole received less coverage then Bush but more then McCain or Forbes
-Quality of Issue Coverage: Dole=less issue coverage than any of male pres candidates
-Quality of Personal Coverage: Dole=more personal coverage than any of male candidates
-Quality of Candidate Quotes: Only Bush quoted more then Dole, but reporteres directly quoted Dole less and more often paraphrased her statements
Gender of Reporter
-male reporters=bulk of paragraphs studied, 65%
-female reporters more likely to describe Doles position on issues
-men more likely to describe male candidates positions
-male reporters more likely to describe Doles personal traits
Findings
-expanding on White House Project
Candidate Frames
-studied Des Moines Register, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post
-Studied paragraphs
-Dole was treated differently then male counterparts in a way that enforced gender stereotypes
-Dole had more coverage then McCain and Forbes even though she dropped out first
-Bush 52.4%, Dole 19.9%, McCain 13.5%, Forbes 9.7%
-All five papers had less about Doles issues then the other candidates
-only 17% of paragraphs about Dole were issue/policy based
-25.5-40% of paragraphs for male candidates were.
-Readers learned more about Doles personal traits
-Personal coverage does not offer info on how candidates will govern,, suggesting they don't have credibility
-4% of Doles paragraphs in USA Today had issues
-Most newspapers equally likely to use personal traits and issues in paragraphs
Accounting for the Findings
-Dole didn't run a personality-based campaign and didn't spend less time talking about issues
-Dole didn't emphasis her gender apart from "making history"
-Often say "she'd rather discuss what she felt were important issues"
-Personal frames: age, appearance, background, family/marital statues, persnality +
qualifications
-Mostly mentioned her background and personality
-Dole has long-standing reputation for keeping distance from reporters
-Personal frame not solely gender based, McCain got a lot of personality coverabe
-Less likely to talk about her background then that of her male counterparts, because it was to be taken less seriously
-gender of reporter did influence coverage
-female reporters gave even issue coverage, didn't advantage Dole
-men gave other men more issue coverage while shortchanging Dole
-strategy frames used the same so the difference is between issue and personal;
Candidate Quotes
-Dole had less direct quotes, reporters didn't let her speak for herself
-Dole either less quoteable or taken less seriously
-Less likely to back up Dole's ideas with evidence
Conclusion
-Dole downplayed significance of her gnder
-On suraface reporters tried to treat her the same, but they covered her very differently
-"few women get taken seriously as potentional presidential candidates"
-voters couldn't learn what she stood for as well because it wasn't covered
-difference partially from difference in gender of reporters
-Bush had much more money then her, so press would have helped her get her message out but it didn't
-"woman making a bid in a male-dominated world of politics being covered by an almost equally male-dominated press corps"
Previous Research
Female Candidates and Public Officials
-Researchers concluded journalists rarely employ simple gender stereotypes in covering women leaders
-Previous research found newspapers covering personal info of wmn more then men
-Wmn are less likely to have issues focused on even though they are more likely to make issues the cornerstone of their campaign
-similar conclusions over coverage of congress members
-press focus of "female legislators" as a group isntead of individual women
-wmn more likely to be subjected to negative gender distinctions
-similar quotes conclusions as well
-because of discrepencies in coverage, public believes men better at handling tough issues
-media portray men as strong and women as approachable and sensitive
-women shouldn't act more hostile to compensate
Female and Male Reporters
-female and male reporters did not treat female and male sources differently
-difference in the coverage of female andmale gov candidates
-journalists focus on personal on women, news media focus on professional covering men
-creates less understanding of females stand
Methodology
-parts from 5 newspapers all analyzed by paragraph
-covered only news stories, not opinion, editorial etc.
-also only looked at campaign stories
Coding
-story topic, gender of reporter, descriptions of male + female candidates, candidate quotes
CANDIDATE DESCRIPTIONS
-if both candidates mentioned, both counted
-looked for strategy frames
CANDIDATE QUOTES
-examine quote to see if backed by evidence, reasoning or details
- Sean Aday and James Devitt
Reserve Reading
-After Geraldine Ferraro's nomination:
-"Ferraro has nicer legs than any previous vice-presidential candidate"
-"Will she be the first VP to enter a wet T-shirt contest?"
-If she became president:
-"What is she is supposed to push the button to fire missiles and can't because she's just done her nails?"
-"Does the country go to hell during that 'time' of the month?"
-Similar conditions still exist for female elected officials
-biased coverage of women is not isolated, it's systematic, differences in coverage that undermine female candidates
-66% of Americans say press would be tougher on female pres then male
-Academia mostly studied gov/congress running, but studied how Dole was covered
Executive Summary
-Quantity: Dole received less coverage then Bush but more then McCain or Forbes
-Quality of Issue Coverage: Dole=less issue coverage than any of male pres candidates
-Quality of Personal Coverage: Dole=more personal coverage than any of male candidates
-Quality of Candidate Quotes: Only Bush quoted more then Dole, but reporteres directly quoted Dole less and more often paraphrased her statements
Gender of Reporter
-male reporters=bulk of paragraphs studied, 65%
-female reporters more likely to describe Doles position on issues
-men more likely to describe male candidates positions
-male reporters more likely to describe Doles personal traits
Findings
-expanding on White House Project
Candidate Frames
-studied Des Moines Register, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post
-Studied paragraphs
-Dole was treated differently then male counterparts in a way that enforced gender stereotypes
-Dole had more coverage then McCain and Forbes even though she dropped out first
-Bush 52.4%, Dole 19.9%, McCain 13.5%, Forbes 9.7%
-All five papers had less about Doles issues then the other candidates
-only 17% of paragraphs about Dole were issue/policy based
-25.5-40% of paragraphs for male candidates were.
-Readers learned more about Doles personal traits
-Personal coverage does not offer info on how candidates will govern,, suggesting they don't have credibility
-4% of Doles paragraphs in USA Today had issues
-Most newspapers equally likely to use personal traits and issues in paragraphs
Accounting for the Findings
-Dole didn't run a personality-based campaign and didn't spend less time talking about issues
-Dole didn't emphasis her gender apart from "making history"
-Often say "she'd rather discuss what she felt were important issues"
-Personal frames: age, appearance, background, family/marital statues, persnality +
qualifications
-Mostly mentioned her background and personality
-Dole has long-standing reputation for keeping distance from reporters
-Personal frame not solely gender based, McCain got a lot of personality coverabe
-Less likely to talk about her background then that of her male counterparts, because it was to be taken less seriously
-gender of reporter did influence coverage
-female reporters gave even issue coverage, didn't advantage Dole
-men gave other men more issue coverage while shortchanging Dole
-strategy frames used the same so the difference is between issue and personal;
Candidate Quotes
-Dole had less direct quotes, reporters didn't let her speak for herself
-Dole either less quoteable or taken less seriously
-Less likely to back up Dole's ideas with evidence
Conclusion
-Dole downplayed significance of her gnder
-On suraface reporters tried to treat her the same, but they covered her very differently
-"few women get taken seriously as potentional presidential candidates"
-voters couldn't learn what she stood for as well because it wasn't covered
-difference partially from difference in gender of reporters
-Bush had much more money then her, so press would have helped her get her message out but it didn't
-"woman making a bid in a male-dominated world of politics being covered by an almost equally male-dominated press corps"
Previous Research
Female Candidates and Public Officials
-Researchers concluded journalists rarely employ simple gender stereotypes in covering women leaders
-Previous research found newspapers covering personal info of wmn more then men
-Wmn are less likely to have issues focused on even though they are more likely to make issues the cornerstone of their campaign
-similar conclusions over coverage of congress members
-press focus of "female legislators" as a group isntead of individual women
-wmn more likely to be subjected to negative gender distinctions
-similar quotes conclusions as well
-because of discrepencies in coverage, public believes men better at handling tough issues
-media portray men as strong and women as approachable and sensitive
-women shouldn't act more hostile to compensate
Female and Male Reporters
-female and male reporters did not treat female and male sources differently
-difference in the coverage of female andmale gov candidates
-journalists focus on personal on women, news media focus on professional covering men
-creates less understanding of females stand
Methodology
-parts from 5 newspapers all analyzed by paragraph
-covered only news stories, not opinion, editorial etc.
-also only looked at campaign stories
Coding
-story topic, gender of reporter, descriptions of male + female candidates, candidate quotes
CANDIDATE DESCRIPTIONS
-if both candidates mentioned, both counted
-looked for strategy frames
CANDIDATE QUOTES
-examine quote to see if backed by evidence, reasoning or details
Women, Politics, and American Socity pg. 76-102 -- Reaction
Textbook Reading
Women, Politics and American Society
It's unfortunate that the information in the reading is all true, but there is no help for it at the moment. The barriers are slowly being broken down but we need something to blow them apart. I had never heard of the idea of multimember districts and I think that it actually works out well, if not better, then our one person per district system. It would increase representation of different people, two opposite people could be from the same district which would greatly increase the chance of everyone in the district being accounted for and fairly represented. This would also make the political system itself less formidable
To change to a multimember system would be a huge effort and a lot of people would be against it because it would make things more difficult for them possibly, that is for people already in politics. It would possibly also make politics more family friendly, making them less cut-throat and "either-or". Reading about Jane Swift was inspirational, doing conferences from her hospital bed, and it would be interesting to talk to anyone who was on the other end of the conference calls and see what they thought. It's really too bad that she was pushed out, and I think rather unfair, but maybe she'll run again in the future.
Women, Politics and American Society
It's unfortunate that the information in the reading is all true, but there is no help for it at the moment. The barriers are slowly being broken down but we need something to blow them apart. I had never heard of the idea of multimember districts and I think that it actually works out well, if not better, then our one person per district system. It would increase representation of different people, two opposite people could be from the same district which would greatly increase the chance of everyone in the district being accounted for and fairly represented. This would also make the political system itself less formidable
To change to a multimember system would be a huge effort and a lot of people would be against it because it would make things more difficult for them possibly, that is for people already in politics. It would possibly also make politics more family friendly, making them less cut-throat and "either-or". Reading about Jane Swift was inspirational, doing conferences from her hospital bed, and it would be interesting to talk to anyone who was on the other end of the conference calls and see what they thought. It's really too bad that she was pushed out, and I think rather unfair, but maybe she'll run again in the future.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Women, Politics, and American Socity pg. 76-102 -- Notes
Textbook Reading
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura can Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canada
Political Participation
-Expect women less involved then men, however women are equal in participation in politics
Voter Turnout
-2/3s of men but only 1/3 of all women voted in 1923, Chicago
-Women chose not to vote, especially immigrant and uneducated women
-South, attitudes more conservative, poll tax + racial discrimination eliminated many voters, only few women went to polls
-LWV help educate women about politics and political activity
-Areas with advantageous political parties to register women, registration rates for wmn were higher
-Great Depression of 1930's politicized immigrants, lower=class women + young people
-1920: women favored Repub party, by 1932, women strong ties w/democrats
-1964-1978 slightly less women then men vote, since 1980 women have voted more then men
-whites have highest participation rates, largest gender gaps in African Americans + Hispanics
-African American women have greater feminist beliefs from double discrimination
-Hispanic voters greater ties to community, especially church
-Small children make it hard for women to get to polls
-Greater number of women in electorate, women could be forceful presence if they voted as a bloc
Issue Positions
-Few gender differences across views
-Women typically opposed to war and use of force more generally
-1980: avg 9% gender differences on 87% of questions
-terrorist attacks, sep 11, seemed to erase gender differences
-Women more likely to say sep 11 was life-altering and still following news about terrorism at two-months after attacks
-78% men, 74% women approved of going to Iraq
-women's slightly different views more favorable to Dems
-women : less militaristic, opposed to force in nonmilitary situations, protect environment, help economically disadvantaged, achieve racial equality, less likely to bo optomistic about country's future
-gender gap over 20% women choose more liberal positions
-women's issues effect vote only when "electoral environment" emphasizes gender
Party Identification
-how individual views themselves in parties
-prior to 1968 men and women little differences
-women more likely to identify with democrats now
Voting Patterns
-electoral gender gap as well
-Eleanor Smeal first used gender gap
-Reagan's "woman problem", battled by focusing on the women who would vote for him
-Dems nominated Geraldine Ferraro as VP candidate but didn't use her to champion women's issues in fear of angering male voters (backfired)
-lots of explanations for gender gap, ERA, militarym SES
-Feminization of Poverty
-subgroups of women drive gender gap not women as a group
-economically disadvantaged and minority women for Dem Party
Political Activism
-lobbying, campaign work, office holding
Lobbying Community Involvement
-women play role in organizing charitable and civic projects on PTA and local library boards
-Womn lead pressing local officials to include family, children's and women's issues
-women loby a lot at local level, altered policies of local libraries and provided chid=care services and provided centers for victims of rape
-wmn activists make personal problems political
-african american women huge contributions to antilyching campaigns and civil rights movement
-men slightly more liikely to work informally to deal with community problem
-women restrict activity to local affairs more
-women generally more concerende with education
-Americans have reduced commections with their communites
Campaign and Party Work
-involvement run counter to cultural expecataions, viewed as exclusively male
-Polling places were located in pool halls and bars, addition of women to the electorate also altered game of politics
-Women not being asked to become involved in campaigns
-LWV adopted nonpartisan posture
-1952: gradual decline in overall disparity in campaign activity btwn sexes
-lag slightly behind men on these measures, lesslikely to wear campaign buttons, lower levels political and economic resources
-2000: 17% of men and 9% of women contributed moent
-wmn essential in maintenance of both major political parties, do daily work of keeping parties functioning
-Dem party: 50-60% state party officials African American or women
-Women more liberal
Office Holding
-1917-1970 women never constitued more then 5%
-1991: 18.3% of state houses and 6% of Congress
-108 wmn won partie's nomination for seats in house and 11 in the Senate, 1992
-1st African American Woman to take seat in Senate: Carol Moseley Braun
-Wmn 13.7% of 108th congress, 73 women
-state levels have more gradual advances, women now hold 25.3% of executive positions
-17 wmn=lieutenant gov, 5=attorney general, 10 sec of state + nine as state treasurer
Barriers to Women in Elected and Appointed Positions
-Barriers: five categories: stereotypes, career choice, trad fam demands, sex discrimination, and political system
-deter women from running, keep ones who run from succeeding
-women still as likely as men to win
-women fail to "toss their hat in the ring"
Stereotypes
-Women and men thought women running for office was innapropriate
-women less likely at every time interval to be as interested as men in elective + appointive office
-both young men and women perceive the barriers
-80% agree that it is very or somewhat hard for a woman to run for political office
-Women have hard time breaking into politics
Media Bias
-Women sentatorial candidates are routinely portrayed as less viable than male candidates
-stereotyping articles+reader reaction might help explain women's lower success
-media bias is possibly diminishing pipeline of women's leadership
-reporters focus on personal characteristics of women candidates, age, marriage, family, personality, and appearance
-gender plays role in establishing viability of candidate, news media coverage can disadvantage women.
-Dole not receive quantity or quality of coverage
-Women have to think of public perceptions
-In commercials women dressed more formally and used male announcers, stressed compassionate side
-women present themselves differently from men in order to achieve same lvl of effectiveness
-need for women to provide record w/tangible examples, preferably w/nontrad wmn issues like crime/taxes/economy
Career Choice and Preparation
-trad female occupations less compatible w/politics (teaching, nursing)
-makes less wmn in "eligibility pool" which makes less wmn in politics
-relationship btwn # of wmn lawyers and # of wmn legislators
-75% of wmn in 108 Congress had previous elective office
-many successful wmn have pursued women's careers
family Demands
-public perceptions that wmn w/ (young) kids = less suited for office
-wmn postpone running for office until their kids are grown
-wmn officers less likely then men to half young children
-conflict btwn parenthood +politics
-Jane Swift: pregnant w/1st child when elected lieutenant gov of Mass in 1998, replaced Paul Cerlucci as gov in 2001 but widely criticized. 2001, premature labor w/twins + held meetings using speaker phone from hospital bed
-Nancy Pelosi came to congress in her 40s after her 5 kids were grown
-no young wmn building seniority
-politics needs to be more family friendly
-1/3 Americans say less likely to vote for woman if pregnant
-2 wmn Clinton considered nominating for attourney general withdrew after revealed that they had employed undocumented aliens to care for thair kids
-Spousal preference: acceptance/ecouragement of political activity by spouse + family = crucial
-shared marraiges where both partneers have careers = more after women's movement
-more wmn then men in elected officials = not married
-wmn either remain childless, have fewer kids, delay political career until after kids are older, remain single, or marry supportive spouse
Sex Discrimination
-wmn seldom recruited by party, often discouraged from running
-women disproportionately encouraged to run in unwinnable races/ "woman's seat" (where there already is a woman)
-African American women more underrepresented then men
Political System
MONEY
-Adequate funding=essential for successful campaign
-incumbants have fundrasing advantages (win over 90% of reelection bids)
-women have to raise more money then male incumbants to unseat them
-money provided by women's PACs
-campaign fund deficit of women in 1970 declined in 1980s
-1988+1992 women outraised men
-political experience/incumbancy status have greater influence on fundraising then gender
-wmn = fewer contacts with rich people
CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS
-Geraldine Ferrero and to sell property + take out personal loans to raise money for campaign
-Now 49 PACs for women: EMILY's List, NOW PAC, WISH List
-financial obstacles help lifted by these PACs
-Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act bans soft moeny, increases amount individuals can contribute
PARTY ORGANIZATION
-wmn candidates= marginal party support
-wmn may actually get more money then men from the party
-2003: 113 dem wmn entered House races, only 73 repubs
-1994: Repub wmn = 50% success + Dem wmn 38% success
-"triple play of wmn in politics" -deciding to run, contributing money, working in campaigns"
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
-avg of 14% of parliamentary seats worldwide.
-US below national avg
-US electoral system of single-member "winner-take all districts"
-Other countries=bigger districts w/more reps (2nd + 3rd place win too
INCUMBENCY
-political system favors incumbents
-90% of Congress seek reelection + win
-# wmn candidates relflects # of competitive opportunities available to wmn
-1/3 wmn obtain seats in special elevtions (when incumbanet left office btwn elections)
-"women's nature" makes more difficult for wmn to run against incumbant
-1992: unprecedented # of open seats + alot of media coverage
-wmn have advantage when they run as women
-term limits would force male incumbents to retire so wmn can run, but then wmn incumbents forced out too
-Congress incumbents so far avoided term limits
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura can Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canada
Political Participation
-Expect women less involved then men, however women are equal in participation in politics
Voter Turnout
-2/3s of men but only 1/3 of all women voted in 1923, Chicago
-Women chose not to vote, especially immigrant and uneducated women
-South, attitudes more conservative, poll tax + racial discrimination eliminated many voters, only few women went to polls
-LWV help educate women about politics and political activity
-Areas with advantageous political parties to register women, registration rates for wmn were higher
-Great Depression of 1930's politicized immigrants, lower=class women + young people
-1920: women favored Repub party, by 1932, women strong ties w/democrats
-1964-1978 slightly less women then men vote, since 1980 women have voted more then men
-whites have highest participation rates, largest gender gaps in African Americans + Hispanics
-African American women have greater feminist beliefs from double discrimination
-Hispanic voters greater ties to community, especially church
-Small children make it hard for women to get to polls
-Greater number of women in electorate, women could be forceful presence if they voted as a bloc
Issue Positions
-Few gender differences across views
-Women typically opposed to war and use of force more generally
-1980: avg 9% gender differences on 87% of questions
-terrorist attacks, sep 11, seemed to erase gender differences
-Women more likely to say sep 11 was life-altering and still following news about terrorism at two-months after attacks
-78% men, 74% women approved of going to Iraq
-women's slightly different views more favorable to Dems
-women : less militaristic, opposed to force in nonmilitary situations, protect environment, help economically disadvantaged, achieve racial equality, less likely to bo optomistic about country's future
-gender gap over 20% women choose more liberal positions
-women's issues effect vote only when "electoral environment" emphasizes gender
Party Identification
-how individual views themselves in parties
-prior to 1968 men and women little differences
-women more likely to identify with democrats now
Voting Patterns
-electoral gender gap as well
-Eleanor Smeal first used gender gap
-Reagan's "woman problem", battled by focusing on the women who would vote for him
-Dems nominated Geraldine Ferraro as VP candidate but didn't use her to champion women's issues in fear of angering male voters (backfired)
-lots of explanations for gender gap, ERA, militarym SES
-Feminization of Poverty
-subgroups of women drive gender gap not women as a group
-economically disadvantaged and minority women for Dem Party
Political Activism
-lobbying, campaign work, office holding
Lobbying Community Involvement
-women play role in organizing charitable and civic projects on PTA and local library boards
-Womn lead pressing local officials to include family, children's and women's issues
-women loby a lot at local level, altered policies of local libraries and provided chid=care services and provided centers for victims of rape
-wmn activists make personal problems political
-african american women huge contributions to antilyching campaigns and civil rights movement
-men slightly more liikely to work informally to deal with community problem
-women restrict activity to local affairs more
-women generally more concerende with education
-Americans have reduced commections with their communites
Campaign and Party Work
-involvement run counter to cultural expecataions, viewed as exclusively male
-Polling places were located in pool halls and bars, addition of women to the electorate also altered game of politics
-Women not being asked to become involved in campaigns
-LWV adopted nonpartisan posture
-1952: gradual decline in overall disparity in campaign activity btwn sexes
-lag slightly behind men on these measures, lesslikely to wear campaign buttons, lower levels political and economic resources
-2000: 17% of men and 9% of women contributed moent
-wmn essential in maintenance of both major political parties, do daily work of keeping parties functioning
-Dem party: 50-60% state party officials African American or women
-Women more liberal
Office Holding
-1917-1970 women never constitued more then 5%
-1991: 18.3% of state houses and 6% of Congress
-108 wmn won partie's nomination for seats in house and 11 in the Senate, 1992
-1st African American Woman to take seat in Senate: Carol Moseley Braun
-Wmn 13.7% of 108th congress, 73 women
-state levels have more gradual advances, women now hold 25.3% of executive positions
-17 wmn=lieutenant gov, 5=attorney general, 10 sec of state + nine as state treasurer
Barriers to Women in Elected and Appointed Positions
-Barriers: five categories: stereotypes, career choice, trad fam demands, sex discrimination, and political system
-deter women from running, keep ones who run from succeeding
-women still as likely as men to win
-women fail to "toss their hat in the ring"
Stereotypes
-Women and men thought women running for office was innapropriate
-women less likely at every time interval to be as interested as men in elective + appointive office
-both young men and women perceive the barriers
-80% agree that it is very or somewhat hard for a woman to run for political office
-Women have hard time breaking into politics
Media Bias
-Women sentatorial candidates are routinely portrayed as less viable than male candidates
-stereotyping articles+reader reaction might help explain women's lower success
-media bias is possibly diminishing pipeline of women's leadership
-reporters focus on personal characteristics of women candidates, age, marriage, family, personality, and appearance
-gender plays role in establishing viability of candidate, news media coverage can disadvantage women.
-Dole not receive quantity or quality of coverage
-Women have to think of public perceptions
-In commercials women dressed more formally and used male announcers, stressed compassionate side
-women present themselves differently from men in order to achieve same lvl of effectiveness
-need for women to provide record w/tangible examples, preferably w/nontrad wmn issues like crime/taxes/economy
Career Choice and Preparation
-trad female occupations less compatible w/politics (teaching, nursing)
-makes less wmn in "eligibility pool" which makes less wmn in politics
-relationship btwn # of wmn lawyers and # of wmn legislators
-75% of wmn in 108 Congress had previous elective office
-many successful wmn have pursued women's careers
family Demands
-public perceptions that wmn w/ (young) kids = less suited for office
-wmn postpone running for office until their kids are grown
-wmn officers less likely then men to half young children
-conflict btwn parenthood +politics
-Jane Swift: pregnant w/1st child when elected lieutenant gov of Mass in 1998, replaced Paul Cerlucci as gov in 2001 but widely criticized. 2001, premature labor w/twins + held meetings using speaker phone from hospital bed
-Nancy Pelosi came to congress in her 40s after her 5 kids were grown
-no young wmn building seniority
-politics needs to be more family friendly
-1/3 Americans say less likely to vote for woman if pregnant
-2 wmn Clinton considered nominating for attourney general withdrew after revealed that they had employed undocumented aliens to care for thair kids
-Spousal preference: acceptance/ecouragement of political activity by spouse + family = crucial
-shared marraiges where both partneers have careers = more after women's movement
-more wmn then men in elected officials = not married
-wmn either remain childless, have fewer kids, delay political career until after kids are older, remain single, or marry supportive spouse
Sex Discrimination
-wmn seldom recruited by party, often discouraged from running
-women disproportionately encouraged to run in unwinnable races/ "woman's seat" (where there already is a woman)
-African American women more underrepresented then men
Political System
MONEY
-Adequate funding=essential for successful campaign
-incumbants have fundrasing advantages (win over 90% of reelection bids)
-women have to raise more money then male incumbants to unseat them
-money provided by women's PACs
-campaign fund deficit of women in 1970 declined in 1980s
-1988+1992 women outraised men
-political experience/incumbancy status have greater influence on fundraising then gender
-wmn = fewer contacts with rich people
CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS
-Geraldine Ferrero and to sell property + take out personal loans to raise money for campaign
-Now 49 PACs for women: EMILY's List, NOW PAC, WISH List
-financial obstacles help lifted by these PACs
-Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act bans soft moeny, increases amount individuals can contribute
PARTY ORGANIZATION
-wmn candidates= marginal party support
-wmn may actually get more money then men from the party
-2003: 113 dem wmn entered House races, only 73 repubs
-1994: Repub wmn = 50% success + Dem wmn 38% success
-"triple play of wmn in politics" -deciding to run, contributing money, working in campaigns"
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
-avg of 14% of parliamentary seats worldwide.
-US below national avg
-US electoral system of single-member "winner-take all districts"
-Other countries=bigger districts w/more reps (2nd + 3rd place win too
INCUMBENCY
-political system favors incumbents
-90% of Congress seek reelection + win
-# wmn candidates relflects # of competitive opportunities available to wmn
-1/3 wmn obtain seats in special elevtions (when incumbanet left office btwn elections)
-"women's nature" makes more difficult for wmn to run against incumbant
-1992: unprecedented # of open seats + alot of media coverage
-wmn have advantage when they run as women
-term limits would force male incumbents to retire so wmn can run, but then wmn incumbents forced out too
-Congress incumbents so far avoided term limits
Women, Politics, and American Socity pg. 68-76 -- Reaction
Textbook Reading
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura van Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Candy
When I was in eighth grade we were talking about women in politics and whether women could be presidents. I was surprised to find how many of the boys, my actual friends, said they wouldn't vote for a woman for president. This was in 2007 when Hillary Clinton and Obama had just declared they were running. When I asked my male friends about this, completely surprised and pissed off, they said, in a complete over simplification, that they didn't think a woman could "push the button that would bomb another country if the US were under attack".
Now, I walked straight up to my friend, more then one, glared straight at them and asked "You think I couldn't do anything I could to defend my country if it were under attack?" Every single person I asked that either backed down or said "Well not you Miranda, just women" This was the clearest demonstration of stereotypes and discrimination that I have ever seen. It showed how much people, especially men, look at the stereotypes instead of the woman. Media focuses on what women look like, how they fit stereotypes, instead of who they actually are. When the boys in my class put what they were saying into perspective of who I was and what they new about me, they changed their minds. But the first thing they hear is woman and the first thing they think of is sweet, docile, and emotional.
The statistics in this last reading supported that idea, although thankfully those views have been decreasing. Strong women stepping forward and proving stereotypes wrong have definitely helped and if I ever did enter into politics I would want to be one of them. It was also interesting that when the book mentioned the women in most likely to be interested in running for office, I fit the bill exactly. "parents who vote in every election, have been told that they should run for office, and believe they can make a difference in solving problems". Not only this, but I fit demographically as well. "white, full-time college students, daily Internet users, and registered voters" (the last part I will be as soon as I can). Seeing myself in the statistics I'm reading as well as seeing them actually play out in my life makes the reading more personal, more real.
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura van Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Candy
When I was in eighth grade we were talking about women in politics and whether women could be presidents. I was surprised to find how many of the boys, my actual friends, said they wouldn't vote for a woman for president. This was in 2007 when Hillary Clinton and Obama had just declared they were running. When I asked my male friends about this, completely surprised and pissed off, they said, in a complete over simplification, that they didn't think a woman could "push the button that would bomb another country if the US were under attack".
Now, I walked straight up to my friend, more then one, glared straight at them and asked "You think I couldn't do anything I could to defend my country if it were under attack?" Every single person I asked that either backed down or said "Well not you Miranda, just women" This was the clearest demonstration of stereotypes and discrimination that I have ever seen. It showed how much people, especially men, look at the stereotypes instead of the woman. Media focuses on what women look like, how they fit stereotypes, instead of who they actually are. When the boys in my class put what they were saying into perspective of who I was and what they new about me, they changed their minds. But the first thing they hear is woman and the first thing they think of is sweet, docile, and emotional.
The statistics in this last reading supported that idea, although thankfully those views have been decreasing. Strong women stepping forward and proving stereotypes wrong have definitely helped and if I ever did enter into politics I would want to be one of them. It was also interesting that when the book mentioned the women in most likely to be interested in running for office, I fit the bill exactly. "parents who vote in every election, have been told that they should run for office, and believe they can make a difference in solving problems". Not only this, but I fit demographically as well. "white, full-time college students, daily Internet users, and registered voters" (the last part I will be as soon as I can). Seeing myself in the statistics I'm reading as well as seeing them actually play out in my life makes the reading more personal, more real.
Women, Politics, and American Socity pg. 68-76 -- Notes
Textbook Reading
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura can Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canada
-After suffrage poor women denied right to vote through poll taxes + unfairly administered literacy tests
-Negative cultural attitudes about women who participate in politics
-Women not prepared for political activity, discrimination of party leaders
Cultural Attitudes About the Political Participation of Women
-Little polls of social attitudes before and after 1920, but views of political women very negative
-1937: 27% men, 40% women would voted for qualified woman for president
-1946: 88% of people voted mayor should nearly always be a man
-Some areas good for women, head of Red Cross or PTA
-Over 40% of people in 1955, 1963, and 1969 would not vote for a woman president
Impact of Wmn's Rights Mvemnt of Political Rights + Participation
-Political support increase after 1960s, gets more publicized
-1967, 51% wmn college grads support wmn pres, 1975, 88%
-Sandra Day O'Connor appointed to Supreme Court, 1981, supported by 87% of wmn, 84% of men
-Voters turned to more candidates after scandals and Anita Hill trial.
-2000: 93% wmn, 91% men vote for wmn if she was nominated by their party
Continuing Cultural Barriers
-25% of people agree "Most men are better suited emotionally for politics"
-Believe that male president would perform better then a female pres
-preparedness to go to war, ability to lead nation, ability to make difficult decisions, men all higher
-sexes equal in intelligence and ability to compromise
-women more honest, trustworthy, and better understand normal people.
-believe women don't have mental or emotional toughness to succeed in politics.
Political Socialization
-Girls traditionally not socialized to take an active role in politics and less interested in politics
-girls nationwide own an average of eight Barbies
-women most interested in running for office have parents who vote in every election and believe they can make a difference in solving problems.
-Birth of woman's first child is critical in when gender stereotypes come into play
Political Resources
-women less likely to have money or professional involvement necessary for some forms of political involvement
Citizen Duty
-1923: more then 10% believed wrong for women to vote, women shouldn't butt into men's work
-1980: women recorded slightly higher levels of citizen duty than men.
Psychological Involvement in Politics
-Women have lower "psychological involvement" in politics
-33% of wmn nonvoters in Chicago have "no interest in politics"
-2000: 36% men + 25% wmn said very interested in politics
-1964: no difference in interest in presidential candidates
-Men know moer about politics then women.
Political Efficacy
-Individual's beliefe that he or she can influence governemntal decision making
-Lack of self-confidence about political matters, 64% women think politics is too difficult for them
Other Resources
-Wmn earn less money then men/contribute less to family income.
-2000 survey women identify work schedules/inadequate child care as obstacles to politics
Sex Discrimination: The Hidden Barrier
-Few men willing to admit they discriminate
-cultural stereotypes about abilities/appropriate position of wmn in politics
-selt-interest in male-voters and politicians reluctant to share power with women
-women of color more dicrimination then men of color
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura can Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canada
-After suffrage poor women denied right to vote through poll taxes + unfairly administered literacy tests
-Negative cultural attitudes about women who participate in politics
-Women not prepared for political activity, discrimination of party leaders
Cultural Attitudes About the Political Participation of Women
-Little polls of social attitudes before and after 1920, but views of political women very negative
-1937: 27% men, 40% women would voted for qualified woman for president
-1946: 88% of people voted mayor should nearly always be a man
-Some areas good for women, head of Red Cross or PTA
-Over 40% of people in 1955, 1963, and 1969 would not vote for a woman president
Impact of Wmn's Rights Mvemnt of Political Rights + Participation
-Political support increase after 1960s, gets more publicized
-1967, 51% wmn college grads support wmn pres, 1975, 88%
-Sandra Day O'Connor appointed to Supreme Court, 1981, supported by 87% of wmn, 84% of men
-Voters turned to more candidates after scandals and Anita Hill trial.
-2000: 93% wmn, 91% men vote for wmn if she was nominated by their party
Continuing Cultural Barriers
-25% of people agree "Most men are better suited emotionally for politics"
-Believe that male president would perform better then a female pres
-preparedness to go to war, ability to lead nation, ability to make difficult decisions, men all higher
-sexes equal in intelligence and ability to compromise
-women more honest, trustworthy, and better understand normal people.
-believe women don't have mental or emotional toughness to succeed in politics.
Political Socialization
-Girls traditionally not socialized to take an active role in politics and less interested in politics
-girls nationwide own an average of eight Barbies
-women most interested in running for office have parents who vote in every election and believe they can make a difference in solving problems.
-Birth of woman's first child is critical in when gender stereotypes come into play
Political Resources
-women less likely to have money or professional involvement necessary for some forms of political involvement
Citizen Duty
-1923: more then 10% believed wrong for women to vote, women shouldn't butt into men's work
-1980: women recorded slightly higher levels of citizen duty than men.
Psychological Involvement in Politics
-Women have lower "psychological involvement" in politics
-33% of wmn nonvoters in Chicago have "no interest in politics"
-2000: 36% men + 25% wmn said very interested in politics
-1964: no difference in interest in presidential candidates
-Men know moer about politics then women.
Political Efficacy
-Individual's beliefe that he or she can influence governemntal decision making
-Lack of self-confidence about political matters, 64% women think politics is too difficult for them
Other Resources
-Wmn earn less money then men/contribute less to family income.
-2000 survey women identify work schedules/inadequate child care as obstacles to politics
Sex Discrimination: The Hidden Barrier
-Few men willing to admit they discriminate
-cultural stereotypes about abilities/appropriate position of wmn in politics
-selt-interest in male-voters and politicians reluctant to share power with women
-women of color more dicrimination then men of color
Why Are Women Still Not Running For Office? -- Response
Reserve Reading
Fox and Lawless
This study made a lot of sense to me. It has never really made sense that men get more money then women, and this just shed light on the entire issue. Family is, of course, a huge component, and that comes as no surprise. I've always thought that fathers should be just as big a component as mothers, but I've grown up in a very progressive family. My stepfather is the one who cooks, or my stepmother, but things really rely on each persons interests and skills rather then on what gender they are.
I hope that there are interest groups, or groups in general, that are forming who's sole purpose is to seek out women who are well suited for politics. To have a group that is specifically made to recruit women would be a real booster, as long as it's done the right way. Also making politics a more family friendly environment would help and, again if done the right way, it could actually help out a campaign by making it more family friendly in general.
Hopefully we will continue to make moves forward and with the whole country leaning more towards the left at the moment, that does seem like a possibility. Also, with Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, and Condeleezza Rice making such big names for women, there should be improvement. A lot of it depends on the women, and men, who want to make a difference and try to help out women and make them run for office
Fox and Lawless
This study made a lot of sense to me. It has never really made sense that men get more money then women, and this just shed light on the entire issue. Family is, of course, a huge component, and that comes as no surprise. I've always thought that fathers should be just as big a component as mothers, but I've grown up in a very progressive family. My stepfather is the one who cooks, or my stepmother, but things really rely on each persons interests and skills rather then on what gender they are.
I hope that there are interest groups, or groups in general, that are forming who's sole purpose is to seek out women who are well suited for politics. To have a group that is specifically made to recruit women would be a real booster, as long as it's done the right way. Also making politics a more family friendly environment would help and, again if done the right way, it could actually help out a campaign by making it more family friendly in general.
Hopefully we will continue to make moves forward and with the whole country leaning more towards the left at the moment, that does seem like a possibility. Also, with Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, and Condeleezza Rice making such big names for women, there should be improvement. A lot of it depends on the women, and men, who want to make a difference and try to help out women and make them run for office
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Why Are Women Still Not Running For Office? -- Notes
Reserve Reading
Fox and Lawless
Executive Summary
-Women underrepresented because they do not run; gender gap in political ambition
-Women less likely to: be willing to endure rigors of political campaign,
-have freedom to reconcile work+family obligations w/political career
-don't think they are qualified to run
-Don't perceive a fair political environment
Still a Man's World: Under-Representation of Women in Elective Office
-110th Congress, Jan 07, 84% male. 41/50 govs are men. 90/100 mayors of big cities =men
-80s=gradual increse, 90s=surge, last decade very little increase for women.
-US is 84th nation in % of wmn in national legislature
-Under rep not from discrimination, women are just as likely to win when the yrun.
-fundraising and vote totals has no gender bias
Citizen Political Ambition Study
-Goal: find out how wmn + men initially decide to run for political office.
-Four professions the most often have political candidates: law, business, education + politics
-Made two equal groups from same professional credentials, one male one female.
-Initial survey: 2001
-Women less likely to consider running; lwr lvls of encouragement + recruitment, more household obligations, + self-perceptions of unqualification
-Redid survey in 2008 after the events of the years inbtwn
The Gender Gap in Political Ambition
-In 2008, more then half of respondents, 51%, thought of running: 56% of men and 42% of women, gap consists across other variables
-Wmn less likely to take steps to launch an actual campaign
- Wmn more likely to express interest in school board
-Men nearly twice as likely to express interest for any federal position, 25% vs. 13%
-Men almost 50% more likely to consider running at state level (30% wmn, 43% men)
-Women more in local politics, fits sterotypic strengths
-Gaps somewhat smaller in 2008 btwn wmn taking steps to run
-The women who do consider running are just as likely to always think about it.
Explaining the Gender Gap in Political Ambition
-Attitudes about campaigning
-Lvls of encouragement + recruitment to become a candidate
-Traditional family dynamics
-Self-perception of electoral viablitiy
-Perceptions of political environment
-Factors play more with women then with men, making candidacy beyond realm of possibility
Not Interested in the Game: Attitudes Toward Campaigning
-Women less likely to view activites in candidacy positively
-54% men + 67% women deterred by at least 1 typcial campaign activity
-Most respondents more likely to want political position if they didn't have to campaign
-73% women + 69% men report more likely to seek political position if they could w/out campaign activities
-Women more likely to let negative factors stop them from runningNo One Ever Asked: Electoral Gatekeepers and Political Recruitment
-2001, wmn far less likely to recieve support for candidacy
-Still a strong gender gap in recruitment, strong deterrent
-Women just as likely to respond favorably to recruitment, less likely to be recruited
-26% of women recruited by a women's orginization, making a big difference
-These organizations already narrowed gender gap some since 2001
Women's Work is Never Done: The Persistence of Trad Family Dynamics
-Women in higher positions less likely to be married/have kids then men in higher positions
-therfore, women in higher level professions already let go of some trad fam
-Women living w/partner 7 times more likely to be responsible for household tasks + 15 times more likely to have shouldered majority of childcare
-Women spend 50% more time each week w/ household/children then men
-As women's responsibilities in house decrease, their interest in running for office increases
-Household division not correlate w/ men's likelihood of running for office
-Not enough information/data to see if marriage/children affect choice in rnning for office.
-"Women may now think about running for office, but they probably think about it while they are making the bed"
Qualified, But Not Feeling That Way: Self-Perceptions of Electoral Viability
-one of the biggest barriers in 2001, and in 2008
-men 65% more likely to asses themselves as "very qualified"
-women's self-doubt a huge effect on depressing likelihood of considering running
-Do not stem from differences in direct political experiences/proximity to political arena
-Wmn's self-doubt doesn't reflect actual credentials.
-Men + Women well-matched in survey group via qualifications
-Perceptions more linked to subjective assessments then actual performance.
Bias in the Electoral Arena: Assessments of the Political Environment
-Women think the election outcomes are biased, so they don't pay attention to the actual facts.
-wmn more likely to judge local/congressional elections highly competitive
-12% of wmn think they are the "wrong sex" to run for office
-women less likely to think they will win first campaign
-"perceptions trump reality" - women perceive difference so they don't run
Where Do We Go From Here? Summary and Discussion
-2008: gender gap in interest in seeking office
-gender gap driven by wmn's aversion to campaigning, lwer lvls of recruitment + trad family
-Women's own perceptions impede ambition
-subtle progress from 2001-2008
-wmn more likely then before to be recruited and to engage in precursors to launching campaign
-more need to be recruited more to work on gender gap in ambition
-move towards more family friendly work + campaign would help women
-change perceptions by spreading facts and making campaigns less negatively viwed
-training programs very effective, wmn say more likely to consider running i she went to training program.
Concluding Comments
-many changes conicine with major cultural and politcal changes
-women inspired by the other women in politics
-Women think the election outcomes are biased, so they don't pay attention to the actual facts.
-wmn more likely to judge local/congressional elections highly competitive
-12% of wmn think they are the "wrong sex" to run for office
-women less likely to think they will win first campaign
-"perceptions trump reality" - women perceive difference so they don't run
Where Do We Go From Here? Summary and Discussion
-2008: gender gap in interest in seeking office
-gender gap driven by wmn's aversion to campaigning, lwer lvls of recruitment + trad family
-Women's own perceptions impede ambition
-subtle progress from 2001-2008
-wmn more likely then before to be recruited and to engage in precursors to launching campaign
-more need to be recruited more to work on gender gap in ambition
-move towards more family friendly work + campaign would help women
-change perceptions by spreading facts and making campaigns less negatively viwed
-training programs very effective, wmn say more likely to consider running i she went to training program.
Concluding Comments
-many changes conicine with major cultural and politcal changes
-women inspired by the other women in politics
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Year of the Woman -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
There were huge leaps in 1992, but since then there has been little improvement. In my entire lifetime (I was born in 1993) there has been almost no step forward in the representation of women. We remain dormant, docile, and domestic. What will it take to just light the fire beneath the humming timbers of the woman's movement? It's not that women have stopped working, but we are disorganized and too separate, there's nothing to rally behind.
I'm glad the government is making a turn back towards the Democratic side. Personally, I agree more with Democratic ideals, but Democrats have also tended to be more accepting of women. What with Hillary Clinton almost receiving nomination this year and the difference between the Republican and Democratic conventions mentioned in the reading, it makes the Democratic Party look much more friendly too women.
It's interesting to read an article from the leader of NWPC because you can really see in her writing the actual split between the women's parties. The way she wrote about NOW draws a huge line between the parties. It does make sense, but it's too bad that even in the Year of the Woman we couldn't agree, it really shows what is stopping bigger progress. Why can't all the groups come together in one organization called just Women. You could even make it into a fun acronym like the rest of them.
This article speaks of both success and failure. One year, in centuries of fighting, to reach less then equal representation, and look at how excited everyone was. And afterwards? Nothing. It'd be interesting to read some of the women's documents now, what they say about the Year of the Woman.
There were huge leaps in 1992, but since then there has been little improvement. In my entire lifetime (I was born in 1993) there has been almost no step forward in the representation of women. We remain dormant, docile, and domestic. What will it take to just light the fire beneath the humming timbers of the woman's movement? It's not that women have stopped working, but we are disorganized and too separate, there's nothing to rally behind.
I'm glad the government is making a turn back towards the Democratic side. Personally, I agree more with Democratic ideals, but Democrats have also tended to be more accepting of women. What with Hillary Clinton almost receiving nomination this year and the difference between the Republican and Democratic conventions mentioned in the reading, it makes the Democratic Party look much more friendly too women.
It's interesting to read an article from the leader of NWPC because you can really see in her writing the actual split between the women's parties. The way she wrote about NOW draws a huge line between the parties. It does make sense, but it's too bad that even in the Year of the Woman we couldn't agree, it really shows what is stopping bigger progress. Why can't all the groups come together in one organization called just Women. You could even make it into a fun acronym like the rest of them.
This article speaks of both success and failure. One year, in centuries of fighting, to reach less then equal representation, and look at how excited everyone was. And afterwards? Nothing. It'd be interesting to read some of the women's documents now, what they say about the Year of the Woman.
The Year of the Woman -- Notes
Reserve Reading
-Actually the "year of opportunity" that was seized by women.
-Women in House went from 28-47 + women in Senate went from 2-6
-1 or 2 unexpected victories to ignite whole country
-Illinois: promised to run woman against Senator Alan Dixon, Dem who voted for Thomas: Carol Mosely Braun
-1978. Braun won seat in Illinois House
-Braun said "Whites wouldn't vote for a black and nobody would vote for a woman"
-Dixon and challenger Hofeld knocked each other out, ignoring Braun as insignificant
-Penn: Lynn Yeakel filed for US Senate to defeat Rep Sen Arlen Specter, one of fircest interrogators of Anita Hill
-Year for the outsider + women = ultimate outsiders
-Cali: former mayor Dianne Feinstein + Congresswoman Barbara Boxer + both progressive women won.
-Washington State: Patty Murray ran for Senate against Sen Brock Adams who was charged w/ sexual harrassment
-EMILY's list grew, raised a lot of money.
-WISH list formed in 1992, repub counterpart. raise more then $400,000 in 1992
-Women candidates were raising more on their own as well.
-Approached magazines in new york
-NWPC gave quick reliable info to newspapers who then wrote lots of articles.
-213 wmn candidates for the house at the end of april
-NWPC didn't participate in NOW march for reproductive rights, was annoyed about it
-Women should be focusing on electing women, not on pressing one issue
-LWV also declined, but the rest of the groups marched to be in on the sisterhood
-"Don't Just Sing, Remake the Choir"
-Women benefited from antiincumbency mood since they were outsiders
-end of cold war changed agenda to domestic issues instead of foreign policy
-larger number of open seats from redistricting
-Pool of women with the right qualifications
-Hill-Thomas hearings + rape trials of William Kennedy Smith + Mike Tyson
-Began to focus on Bush and Clinton race w/ little women's action in the party conventions
-Parties dealt carefully with women, "the others"
-10/11 wmn nominated for senate were Dem
-Tried to get women in convention, leaders were evasive
-congressional wmn candidates displayed on the podium in prime time tv, + each had her own minute on camera
-Women used clinton, even though they weren't thrilled about him, and he used them against rumors of womanizing.
-Clinton: "I am the grandson of a working woman, the son of a single mother, the husband of a working wide... I am the father of a daughter who wants to build space stations in the sky"
-Tried to make women part of convention everyday.
-Tanya Mellich: "The Republican War Against Women"
-Repub's used to be major party for women, Reagan made big shift to right and women stayed where they were which ended up being with the dems
-Women more then 40% of Repub vote
-Held meeting in Houston in what had been a men's club
-Repub convention very against the women, didn't really let them work
-Many moderate repub women considered going dem
-20% of statewide offives + more then 20% of state legislative seats
-Washington State held almost 40% womn in legislature
-WISH list formed in 1992, repub counterpart. raise more then $400,000 in 1992
-Women candidates were raising more on their own as well.
-Approached magazines in new york
-NWPC gave quick reliable info to newspapers who then wrote lots of articles.
-213 wmn candidates for the house at the end of april
-NWPC didn't participate in NOW march for reproductive rights, was annoyed about it
-Women should be focusing on electing women, not on pressing one issue
-LWV also declined, but the rest of the groups marched to be in on the sisterhood
-"Don't Just Sing, Remake the Choir"
-Women benefited from antiincumbency mood since they were outsiders
-end of cold war changed agenda to domestic issues instead of foreign policy
-larger number of open seats from redistricting
-Pool of women with the right qualifications
-Hill-Thomas hearings + rape trials of William Kennedy Smith + Mike Tyson
-Began to focus on Bush and Clinton race w/ little women's action in the party conventions
-Parties dealt carefully with women, "the others"
-10/11 wmn nominated for senate were Dem
-Tried to get women in convention, leaders were evasive
-congressional wmn candidates displayed on the podium in prime time tv, + each had her own minute on camera
-Women used clinton, even though they weren't thrilled about him, and he used them against rumors of womanizing.
-Clinton: "I am the grandson of a working woman, the son of a single mother, the husband of a working wide... I am the father of a daughter who wants to build space stations in the sky"
-Tried to make women part of convention everyday.
-Tanya Mellich: "The Republican War Against Women"
-Repub's used to be major party for women, Reagan made big shift to right and women stayed where they were which ended up being with the dems
-Women more then 40% of Repub vote
-Held meeting in Houston in what had been a men's club
-Repub convention very against the women, didn't really let them work
-Many moderate repub women considered going dem
-20% of statewide offives + more then 20% of state legislative seats
-Washington State held almost 40% womn in legislature
Anita Hill -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
It's surprising to me that I had never heard of this trial. I was raised in an extremely liberal family and although I believe I had heard the name Clanrence Thomas, I'd never even heard of Anita Hill. There were some very good points made in the aritcle though, that in the end it didn't really matter who was telling the truth, what got the nation fired up was the way the Senate treated Anita Hill.
I just tried searching for the add run in the New York Times that was mentioned in the article, "What If?", but I was surprised to see that I couldn't find it. It sounds like a great add and I will keep looking, maybe hey could make a modern spin off of it.
Viewing this trial in the context of the time explains a lot. That women were so angered and eager to run, that Senate was in disgrace, all contributed to the Year of the Woman. Without this trial, the results would have been much less successful and so it makes sense that tha year couldn't be replicated. However, there are still many things to be fought over and to spur women, we just have to find one. The fact that this only happened 16 years ago makes it seem much less like history and much more like current events which brings it closer to home.
Women still are greatly under-represented in every section of the governemnt, except no one really seems to care. Women can bitch and moan about how hard things are, but they never get together and make a big change. We just need something to unite under so we can create a Year of the Woman and possibly actually bring equality to the US government.
It's surprising to me that I had never heard of this trial. I was raised in an extremely liberal family and although I believe I had heard the name Clanrence Thomas, I'd never even heard of Anita Hill. There were some very good points made in the aritcle though, that in the end it didn't really matter who was telling the truth, what got the nation fired up was the way the Senate treated Anita Hill.
I just tried searching for the add run in the New York Times that was mentioned in the article, "What If?", but I was surprised to see that I couldn't find it. It sounds like a great add and I will keep looking, maybe hey could make a modern spin off of it.
Viewing this trial in the context of the time explains a lot. That women were so angered and eager to run, that Senate was in disgrace, all contributed to the Year of the Woman. Without this trial, the results would have been much less successful and so it makes sense that tha year couldn't be replicated. However, there are still many things to be fought over and to spur women, we just have to find one. The fact that this only happened 16 years ago makes it seem much less like history and much more like current events which brings it closer to home.
Women still are greatly under-represented in every section of the governemnt, except no one really seems to care. Women can bitch and moan about how hard things are, but they never get together and make a big change. We just need something to unite under so we can create a Year of the Woman and possibly actually bring equality to the US government.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Anita Hill -- Notes
Reference Reading
-Anita Hill = young law pr from Oklahoma
-Charged Appellate Court Judge Clarense Thomas, Supreme Court nominee, with sexual misconduct 10 years before at EEOC
-Hill talked candidly about sexual harrassment, opening way for other cases including Tailhook
-Sexual harrassment claims filed with EEOC went up 50% in 1992 + almost doubled over next couple years.
-Companies made classes, public services ran annoucements
-Hill's trial showed women their power
-Major consensus against Thomas anyway because of writings/opinions about minority and women's rights; he supported natural(religious)law
-D. Joe Biden was Judiciary Committee chair
-Committee of Women made on last day of appeals, brought up privacy laws and minorities, and low representation for women
-1991: 49 women/740 life-tenured judges (7%)
-Thomas claimed never to have discussed Roe v. Wade in his life + had no view on the issue
-Senators thought abortion was women's only issue
-Thomas's speeches and writings made him seem part of the right-wing extremists but he stayed neutral on most things.
-Many Senators thought he didn't express his real views.
-Erwin N. Griswold argued that Thomas had no real experience.
-Senate committe passed to whole Senate
-Senate committee had been aware of sexual charges but had ignored them.
-Senate sent message that they didn't care about sexual violence
-"Senate is a men's club"
-7 cogresswomen marched to Senate to demand repoening of the trial but they were denied
-Biden agreed to many constraints for the hearings
-Senators set out to tear apart Anita Hill, "she didn't even have legal counsel forty-eight hours before the hearing"
-No woman on Judiciary Committee
-1986: Supreme Court ruled sexual harrassment form of job discrimination that prevents worker from enjoying euqla employment opportunity.
-"Thomas was Senator Danforth's protege"
-Senate room was completely full, with huge long table for Senators, smaller table for witnesses, and "theater seats" for observers
-Thomas, strong/emotional vs. Hill, cool/dignified
-Thomas's rebuttal "he was victim of high-tech lynching"
-Dem's caved under accusations of a leak+racism
-Rep's ruthlessly attacked Hill's character
-Hill said later that people readily believe men in harrasment cases
-Thomas, educated, gentleman couldn't have done it, professional woman wouldn't have allowed it?
-Thomas confirmed with 52-48
-Public polls believed Thoas, Hill became sumbol of courage for women.
-20 years before, Jo Carol LaFleur fought for women's right to teach when pregnant
-Ida May Phillips, Florida waitress w/7 children, won case because she was rejected or a job because of her preschool aged children
-Members of Congress rushing to go on record against sexual harrassment
-Americans couldn't agree on who was telling the truth, but they agreed that the Senate "had performed abominably"
-Powerful image of all male committee grilling Hill with no sensitivity made clear connection between who's elected and women's treatment
-"This was about male arrogance of power; it was about insensitivity to women's life experiences", on Nightline when there were no women speaking.
-Made the famous add "What If", designed by Mandy Grunwald
-Anita Hill = young law pr from Oklahoma
-Charged Appellate Court Judge Clarense Thomas, Supreme Court nominee, with sexual misconduct 10 years before at EEOC
-Hill talked candidly about sexual harrassment, opening way for other cases including Tailhook
-Sexual harrassment claims filed with EEOC went up 50% in 1992 + almost doubled over next couple years.
-Companies made classes, public services ran annoucements
-Hill's trial showed women their power
-Major consensus against Thomas anyway because of writings/opinions about minority and women's rights; he supported natural(religious)law
-D. Joe Biden was Judiciary Committee chair
-Committee of Women made on last day of appeals, brought up privacy laws and minorities, and low representation for women
-1991: 49 women/740 life-tenured judges (7%)
-Thomas claimed never to have discussed Roe v. Wade in his life + had no view on the issue
-Senators thought abortion was women's only issue
-Thomas's speeches and writings made him seem part of the right-wing extremists but he stayed neutral on most things.
-Many Senators thought he didn't express his real views.
-Erwin N. Griswold argued that Thomas had no real experience.
-Senate committe passed to whole Senate
-Senate committee had been aware of sexual charges but had ignored them.
-Senate sent message that they didn't care about sexual violence
-"Senate is a men's club"
-7 cogresswomen marched to Senate to demand repoening of the trial but they were denied
-Biden agreed to many constraints for the hearings
-Senators set out to tear apart Anita Hill, "she didn't even have legal counsel forty-eight hours before the hearing"
-No woman on Judiciary Committee
-1986: Supreme Court ruled sexual harrassment form of job discrimination that prevents worker from enjoying euqla employment opportunity.
-"Thomas was Senator Danforth's protege"
-Senate room was completely full, with huge long table for Senators, smaller table for witnesses, and "theater seats" for observers
-Thomas, strong/emotional vs. Hill, cool/dignified
-Thomas's rebuttal "he was victim of high-tech lynching"
-Dem's caved under accusations of a leak+racism
-Rep's ruthlessly attacked Hill's character
-Hill said later that people readily believe men in harrasment cases
-Thomas, educated, gentleman couldn't have done it, professional woman wouldn't have allowed it?
-Thomas confirmed with 52-48
-Public polls believed Thoas, Hill became sumbol of courage for women.
-20 years before, Jo Carol LaFleur fought for women's right to teach when pregnant
-Ida May Phillips, Florida waitress w/7 children, won case because she was rejected or a job because of her preschool aged children
-Members of Congress rushing to go on record against sexual harrassment
-Americans couldn't agree on who was telling the truth, but they agreed that the Senate "had performed abominably"
-Powerful image of all male committee grilling Hill with no sensitivity made clear connection between who's elected and women's treatment
-"This was about male arrogance of power; it was about insensitivity to women's life experiences", on Nightline when there were no women speaking.
-Made the famous add "What If", designed by Mandy Grunwald
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Of Husbands and Toilets -- Reaction
Reserve Reading
I just typed up notes on the entire 14 pages of this article, and then my computer decided to shut off. But I'm writing my response anyway. I think it's sad how this entire amendent was stopped by one woman, or so it seems. Phyllis Schlafly joined together the "homemakers" in a way no one else had managed to do and although she didn't stop the amendment entirely by herself, she was vital in stopping it.
The fact that women banned together behind the idea of unisex toilets to defeat the ERA, even though the Senate had already addressed the issue and invalidated it, showed how little they actually knew about the situation. It was this ignorance that really cost women the amendment, in my opinion. They weren't well organized, didn't get their views out there, and were often fighting each other as well as the other side. On the other hand, there was Phyllis Schlafly.
I was surprised that she didn't come into the picture until so late in the process. Her first article was in 1972, right before the Senate passed the amendment, and only after that did she start to really focus. That she could have done so much in so little time is remarkable. Although I greatly disagree with what she did and what she believed in, I have to give her grudging respect on how much of an effect she made. If someone of her training, intelligence and personality had been on the pro-ERA side from early on it might have been very different.
It was also interesting to find out that it was mostly the lower class women who were still house makers, and thus it was them who were threateed. In retrospect, it does make sense. If they worked outside the home, with their bare education, they wouldn't get any type of higher level job and have very little hope for advancement. Better to cling to what you have right?
NOW should have focused on these women, showing thtem what they could have in the way of protection and equal working laws. Reading this article continued to make me think that homemakers seemed to think they were better then men. Having the ERA didn't necessarily mean stripping protective labor laws for women, it could have added labor laws for men, and don't they diserve those too?
I just typed up notes on the entire 14 pages of this article, and then my computer decided to shut off. But I'm writing my response anyway. I think it's sad how this entire amendent was stopped by one woman, or so it seems. Phyllis Schlafly joined together the "homemakers" in a way no one else had managed to do and although she didn't stop the amendment entirely by herself, she was vital in stopping it.
The fact that women banned together behind the idea of unisex toilets to defeat the ERA, even though the Senate had already addressed the issue and invalidated it, showed how little they actually knew about the situation. It was this ignorance that really cost women the amendment, in my opinion. They weren't well organized, didn't get their views out there, and were often fighting each other as well as the other side. On the other hand, there was Phyllis Schlafly.
I was surprised that she didn't come into the picture until so late in the process. Her first article was in 1972, right before the Senate passed the amendment, and only after that did she start to really focus. That she could have done so much in so little time is remarkable. Although I greatly disagree with what she did and what she believed in, I have to give her grudging respect on how much of an effect she made. If someone of her training, intelligence and personality had been on the pro-ERA side from early on it might have been very different.
It was also interesting to find out that it was mostly the lower class women who were still house makers, and thus it was them who were threateed. In retrospect, it does make sense. If they worked outside the home, with their bare education, they wouldn't get any type of higher level job and have very little hope for advancement. Better to cling to what you have right?
NOW should have focused on these women, showing thtem what they could have in the way of protection and equal working laws. Reading this article continued to make me think that homemakers seemed to think they were better then men. Having the ERA didn't necessarily mean stripping protective labor laws for women, it could have added labor laws for men, and don't they diserve those too?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Women, Politics, and American Society pg. 51-64 -- Reaction
Textbook Reading
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura van Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canada
I had heard of EMILY's List before reading this, but only in passing, and I have to say that I really like the idea. That people can choose who their money is going too, and after reading it I am tempted to join it in the future. The success in the women's movements recently is encouraging, and it will be especially interesting to see what happens now that Obama is president and the Democrats continue to have the control of the Senate without having to battle with vetos from the president, hopefully.
I still always feel inadequate when reading this book, I don't know enough about current events and I never have the time or spend the time to find out. I know that the governor of my state, CT is a woman, Jodi Rell, but I don't know much about the rest of the government in either Connecticut or the US in general.
I really think that the women parties should come together under just Women's Group or something like that so that they can pool their money and resources. Then maybe they could stop fighting and competing with each other and actually get something big accomplished. I would love to be part of that, I've always thought about trying to do politics, but not really focused on it.
Women, Politics, and American Society pg. 51-64 -- Notes
Textbook Reading
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O'Connor, Laura Assendelft, Wendy Gunther-Canada
ERA-The Third Stage (1979-1982)
-late 1979: NOW devotes to new national plan.
-1982: NOW receiving more than $1 mill a month for ERAA
-ERA missionaries went door to door in unratified states + pro-ERA entertainers on TV
-Amendment defeated in June 30, 1982
-1980 = Reagan + backlash against gains by women
The Aftermath of ERA ratification Effort
-NOW continued press for amendment
-Others worked on preservation of abortion rights or litigation to press courts for expanded constitutional rights for wmn
-Women working on encouraging wmn to run for politics, especially Deocrates
-1992 10 Dem wmn run for senate + got $1.5 from Wmn's Council of Dem Senatorial Campgn Committee
-Several more groups founded for electoral process
The National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC)
-founded in 1971: national grassroots organization dedicated to increasing # of fem wmn elected in gov
-Shirley Chisholm elected congress in 1968 from NY=first african american woman to run for pres.
-NWPC: publicizes womans issues at stake in elections, monitors women candidates + holds training sessions
-1976 Dem National Convention NWPC led move for written guarantee that women constitute 50% of delegates at 1980 convention
-Jimmy Carter agreed to appoint women in high positioning in administration if he elected
-1978 DNC passed resolution to require 50% of delegates wmn
-Coalition for Womn's appointments= reps from 70 wmns groups to identify qualified female candidates + forward resumes to white house
-Now called Wman's Appointment Project w/4 wmn from George W. Bush's cabinet
-NOW + NWPC working on promoting young women+women of color
-1999: election of Rosalyn O'Connell, rep pro-choice.
-2002:NWPC endorsed 52 women for congress, 2 for gov, and 2 for sec of state
-2003 convention in DC entitled "Strong Women For Tough Times"
The Feminist Majority Foundation
-create by Peg Yorkin in 1987 + Eleanor Smeal, former pres of NOW
-Nationwide campaigns for more wmn running for office
-source of Feminist news around the world
The League of Women Voters
-citizens group not womans organization
-endorsed ERA in 1970's + true fem action in 1990
-work with MTV to get minorities + 18-24 year olds to vote
-Many wmn stay home in 1994 leading to efforts behind Motor Voter Law
-goal of 85% registration
-2000 election problems in FL lead to LWV champion election reform
-Abolition of electoral college as "archaic and unnecessary"
The American Association of University Women
-formed in 1881 to help wmn find jobs and network in business
-After 1994 elected conservative rep-controlled Congress, got more involved in politics
-AAUW Voter Education Campaign in Jul 1995
-New letter of emails + fax combined with get-out-the-vote effort
-Lobbies congress for wmns rights: congressional outlook highlights reproductive choice, civil rights, economic security, expanded educational opportunity
National Organization for Women
-After ERA focus on influencing men in power and electing wmn to replace them
-largest feminist org w/ 500,00 members, more than 550 chapters, all 50 states
-still dedicated to ERA
Women's PACs
-1974 finance laws made orgs able to create political action committees
-Women's Campaign Funds in 1974 only for women, most for both
-1980s=lotsa womens pacs but most = small + underfunded
-1989, 33 PACs gave money primarily to women
-1992: 12 new PACs + lots more money to all.
-PACs together raised about $12 mil
NOW/PAC and NOW Equality PAC
-1977: NOW creates 2 PACs. NOW/PAC supports candidates for national elections, NOW Equality PAC supports at state and local levels
-Contributed to lots of candidates including Cynthia McKinney and Carol Mosley-Braun
-"Victory 2000- The Feminization of Politics" : elect 2000 feminists candidates by 2000
EMILY's List
-Largest of women's PACs "Early Money is like Yeast-It Makes the Dough Rise"
-founded in 1985 for viable, pro-choice Dem wmn running for congress or gov
-Create list of female candidates and members can write check to woman of their choice
-worked for lots of women for 1990 in 1989
- provides training for candidates
-1996 tried to mobilize wmns vote
-2000 worked with wmn candidates and educating voters
-Supported Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan
-Nov 2002 helped elect MI's first wmn gov, Jennifer Granholm
-Helped elect 7 govs, 11 senators, +55 hous res all women since founding
The WISH List
-Women in the Senate and House: 1992
-Supports Rep pro-choice women
-2002= $765,000 to over 200 repub wmn candidates, most of whom won
Conclusion
-1992= "year of the woman"
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