The First 100 Days: expect not, get not
By Amy Siskind on April 24, 2009 at 1:40 PM in Obama Administration, Obama's Cabinet, President Barack Obama, Women
An article posted yesterday in The Huffington Post proclaiming Obama Gets Gender Right in First 100 Days has many women seeing red.
Here’s the author, C. Nicole Mason’s arguments:
I say this to Nicole – I’ll give you one of four. Yes, President Obama did appoint Valerie Jarrett to chair the newly created White House Council for Women and Girls. The New Agenda did speak out in The Daily Beast to cheer this action on. Of course, we’ve yet to hear a peep from this new Council. But, I personally do have high hopes for Valerie Jarrett and if anyone could do something with that position, it would be her. The question is whether this Council will be given any power.
As to the cabinet, Nicole conveniently added a few “high-level appointments” to buttress her argument; but here’s the fact: President Obama has thus far appointed a total of 24 people to cabinet level positions: 18 are men, and only 6 are women.
Which brings me to the my point: why is that women have such low expectations for what we deserve and are entitled to? Why is 25% (6 of 24) cabinet positions something that any women should be celebrating? After all, we are 52% of the population and we were 54% of the vote in the 2008 Presidential Election. Shouldn’t be expect therefore to have 12 of the 24 appointments be women? And only be issuing glowing articles if that minimum threshold is met?
Perhaps the 25% of cabinet seems okay because it’s all relative. Women make up 17% of our Senate and Congress, 15% of Fortune 500 management (down from 17% in 2005) and 16% of tenured professors. Heck, I was a math minor – I know that 25 is greater than 17, 15 and 16.
But let’s tip this fact pattern on its head for a moment. Our government is composed of 83% men. This puts the U.S. in 84th place in the world in terms of women in government (behind such “advanced” countries as Honduras, Pakistan, China and Sudan). Our Fortune 500 corporations are 85% managed by men — and men are CEO’s of 97%. Does this sound like equality to you? I don’t think so!
Which brings me back to my point. President Obama is not really the issue here. What he has done seems to thrill many women. The problem is that many of the women who claim to lead us have numbed our brains to what is right in front of us: that the women of this country are still second class citizens. Why should we celebrate anything less than equal representation? Why are we okay with men occupying over 80% of positions of power in government, corporations and academia?
I am reminded of a famous quote by a brave and heroic woman named Harriet Tubman: I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.
Well, as an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, I say this to Harriet: Hear ya girlfriend! Perhaps the greatest challenge for The New Agenda is to get women to see what is right in front of them. Numbers don’t lie after all. And heck, don’t we want to make this country better for ourselves, our daughter and granddaughters. For the consequence of low reprentation is that issues impacting women are NOT being dealth with. That is why, for example, violent assaults have been on the decline in our country for over a decade; BUT violence against women and girls continues to skyrocket!
But being angry at Nicole, or for that fact at President Obama, doesn’t solve our problems. WE need to solve them together. Women of this country must unite and work together on the issues that matter in our lives. My dear friend Cynthia Ruccia reminds me that President Bill Clinton had to say the phrase “Bridge to the 21st Century” hundreds of times before it stuck, well, heck, my vocal chords are ready and up to the challenge!
From The New Agenda.
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Unfortunately many women do not have a high value on themselves and think men are superior. So why wouldn’t men think they are superior too?? Of course they aren’t but society portrays them this way and many women go along w it.
Tom Cat: the most glaring example of this recently was the Chris Brown debacle. These are the young women who support Obama, they think misogyny is normal.
Great post. Thank you.
I understand that Jarrett’s new White House Council on Women doesn’t even have a real staff, or at least not a fulltime one. And isn’t it true that all that the Ledbetter Act really does, legally, is remove the previous “waiting time” that a woman can sue for pay discrimination?
It’s true…..we as women take any crumb thrown to us and exclaim, gleefully: “oh, yummy! Cake!”
And all Obama did is sign it.
If you think about it, the lobby that profits the most from the Ledbetter Act is . . . The Trial Lawyers’ Association!
Under this Act damages are limited to TWO years. I doubt you’d find a lawyer willing to take a case on a contingency of 30% of two years’ damages. Remember damages would be not the entire salary for two years but the difference in salaries between the higher paid employee and the one discriminated against. Recovery under this act is pathetic. This is not a victory for Trial Lawyers and it certainly is NOT a victory for women.
That’s right. He didn’t cosponsor this bill when he was in the senate. Wasn’t there something like 40 male signatories, including VP Biden, I believed.
Obama sponsored and supported the Fair Pay Act throughtout his time in the U.S. Senate.
The only reason his name does not appear as a sponsor or co-sponsor of S. 181, the version that finally passed, is because that version was introduced following the date he resigned from the U.S. Senate.
How many freakin’ times must the false assertion that Obama didn’t sponsor the Fair Pay Act be demonstrated to be false before people will finally give up trying to promote it?
The previous version was S.1843. Obama signed on as a co-sponsor on 07/20/2007–the same day that earlier version of the bill was introduced.
Check the co-sponsor list for yourself:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1843
ziggy—– you said Obama’s name does not appear as co-sponsor ….”because that version was introduced following the date he resigned from the U.S. Senate.”
So who the hell made the poor dear resign his seat and run for Prez? What a loser.
And I think you zigged when you should have zagged. Do yourself a favor and find another hero.
Any Democratic president would have signed this legislation. I see no reason to applaud here.
But Amy is right, he is not the problem. Women do need to see themselves as worthy of equal representation and stop being satisfied with crumbs. We are still able to be terrorized by the DNC that threatened us saying Roe v Wade would be overturned if we did not vote for him.
Can you imagine? We were actually voting on the possiblity of a woman president or V.P., yet we still have to debate whether we are allowed to have dominion over our own bodies. Wherever one falls on this particular issue, surely women, as equals, should be entrusted to make a moral, healthy and private choice for themselves and their families.
Further in this regard, women are still being treated as one issue voters. Surely, there is plenty more to be concerned about.
As tek pointed out above, the Chris Brown debacle also brings up the point that many girls and women think misogyny is ok. Why is violence against women skyrocketing?
It will take a long while to get these statistics, but I would be curious to know if there was an uptick in violence against women in general coinciding with the candidacies of Hillary and Palin.
You tell ‘em Ani!
Us women have to begin to cal out misogyny and domestic violence. We also must DIVEST FROM MISOGYNY!
Isn’t it true that the WH Council isn’t funded either?
I’ll see you and raise you, Amy. Just for fun.
What if WOMEN made up 83% of all government position?
What if WOMEN were CEO’s of 97% of our corporations?
What if a WOMAN were President? And Vice-President?
Why go for population-based “equality” as if that is the test?
How about this take on it. Take the Government 83% number. I could make a compelling argument against “evening up” the number. Why not flip it over?
Why not start electing women to everything? Appointing them to everything? MEN, as a group, have had a chance to run things. How do we all think they’re doing? Why not give women a chance to not only belly up to the bar and smoke a cigar, but to run the damn place?
I, for one, as a man raised by an incredible woman, with two more incredible women as sisters, an amazing woman for a spouse and two dazzling, smart and wise young women as daughters — am willing to hand over the reins and give them a shot.
Indie dogg: Great post! Let the women rule!
they could do it.
I’m a woman but considering that women continue to be the largest constituency keeping BO’s poll numbers up (often 10 – 15% more women than men approve of BO in polls taken so far), maybe we better give some of our sisters some Kool-Aid antidote first.
Wow, IndieDogg…Just curious…Do you have a single brother?
LOL Paula
Paul, you are spot on, because women know, that REAL MEN AREN’T AFRAID OF WOMEN!
well alrightie for you! How refreshing from a man. Your Mom did a hell of a job….
KUDO’S TO MOM…
IndieDogg Rocks! this is great.
From what I’ve read, Valerie Jarrett is just another corrupt player. I’d like to know what this council is even for. You can bet it won’t benefit our daughters or mothers or any of us.
She is no sterling character — and she is part of the Chicago mafia/gangster crime family.
0bambam owed her and this is his pay back.
0bambam is a sexist pig — and his stupid femal 0bots are still playing dumb.
By the way I find the name of that “new” position offensive — “Women & Girls”.
Why is it offensive? What would you want it named?
But, I personally do have high hopes for Valerie Jarrett and if anyone could do something with that position, it would be her
************************************************
SHE’S A RACIST THUG, PLAIN AND SIMPLE! WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING!
Thank you for the article. The photo of SuperFem Obama is kind of hard to stomach. Unfortunately this administration’s actions are probably just window dressing. I doubt much of this will be backed up with real power or authority.
As a woman the 2008 election opened my eyes and broke my heart. Seeing how women were portrayed and misused, in particular the treatment of Hillary Clinton and Sara Palin, really shook up my belief in the potential for equality in this country (not to mention all the little cuts to people like the “sweetie” reporter). My fear is that President Obama is smart enough to know how to make token gestures but he doesn’t follow through on creating and ensuring REAL positive results.
I have written letters, am withholding money and support, and will change my party affiliation. If enough women and those that support equality band together perhaps those currently in power will have to listen and act favorably but as you stated, I don’t know if enough people have realized yet that they are being taken for granted and misused.
To me, that looks like they are saying Obama is Feminine and is coming out.
…just saying….
I mean really, they didn’t even try to pretend by putting Mechelle on the cover. rofl But my hubby thinks she looks like an anry man anyhow.
“hubby thinks she looks like an angry man anyhow.”
So true…and she acts like an angry man. Remember last week when she was upset because there was speculation that she looked a little pregnant. She hit the roof and said “with all of the work I do on my abs?!”
Honestly…what an affront to women everywhere that the first lady of our country thinks it’s a HORRIBLE thing to look like you’re pregnant with a precious child! I thought that was supposed to be a WONDERFUL thing?!
So, maybe she is a man, if that upset her.
They are pumping millions in to her many makeovers (we’re on the 3rd one, right?)and that won’t change the person on the INSIDE and how she really is seen.
I thought the most telling from her was her slight to poor Sasha, in front of the world. She really is nothing but angry and attitude…and SELFISH.
When Sasha was excited and told her not to forget tennis and her mother corrected her and explained they aren’t having tennis, they are having events on the tennis court. That wasn’t enough, she had to throw in “the peanut gallery” and poor Sasha knew that dig by the look on her face.
i gotta say, insults about about a man being “feminine” or a woman “looking like a man” are not really helpful. that’s just another way of saying that both sexes should “stay in their place.”
every single time that a woman has tired to move a little closer to being considered an equal human being, she was met with comments like “why are you trying to be a man?” or “that @#!*& thinks she’s a man; let’s show her who the man is,” etc. etc.
when young girls hear those kind of comments from supposedly “liberated” older women and men, they get the message very clearly that they will be rewarded if they stay inside “traditional” societal norms for females, and they will be ridiculed and ostracized if they don’t.
Thank you Nobama for saying this. By all means if you do not like Michelle, it is fine but please don’t use sexist commentary to criticize her. It is women who are always judged on their looks not men and when women do this to other women it makes it OK for the patriarchy to this to women as well. Now the problems I have with obama is not just about his policies but how he got this presidency. I can criticze him without being racist. I really do not dislike Michelle that much, I will criticize her when she is sexist or when she says something wrong though.
That’s a man, baby . . .
Hey guys Obama has done more than any other President has done in his first 100 days.
How many other presidents can say they made America the laughing stock of the world in just 100 days?
How many other presidents can say that they more than quadulpled the national debe in their 1st 100 days.
So quit puting down Obama. Obama is just trying to add some more tally marks in the record book. After all Obama is the first black-skinned President. Now he just wants a few more tally marks so he can be a real historical icon.
Obama quadrupled the national debt?
When did the meaning of quadruple change?
Please all join us in this battle to make the country better for woman!
http://www.thenewagenda.net
Obama to the rescue……..NOT.
Henrietta Hughes still struggling
Unemployed and homeless, she caught national attention during President Obama’s visit to Fort Myers when she asked for his help. After her plea, Hughes was given a free place to stay, but she still can’t find a job and may soon find herself homeless again.
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/43385017.html
Reminds me of the joke that was mailing around during the campaign season. McCain, Hillary and Obama were walking down the street and came across a homeless man. McCain reached in his pocket and gave the man $20. He gave him directions to the employment office. They walked onward and came across another homeless man. Hillary also reached into McCain’s pocket and took out $20. She subtracted out $5 as an administrative fee and gave the man $15 and directions to the welfare office. They walked onward and came across another homeless person, this time a homeless woman… Obama, not to be outdone went up to the woman and said cheerfully… Don’t worry sweetie… change is coming and walked away giving her nothing.
Not funny Docelder, the part about Hillary reaching into McCain’s pocket, sexist. And by the way what makes you think McCain would be so kidn as to give him $20 and not just walk away, Bush did not care about Hurricane Katrina victims.
I’m not impressed with obama’s council on women and girls. I want to see a budget, an address, a phone number, a schedule of meetings, anything, anything at all beyond a press release.
Honestly, it strikes me as the most bizarre thing! Nobody has any evidence that this is real beyond a press release and yet he’s being praised for it by women’s groups all over the country. For goodness sakes, it’s a couple of paragraphs on a two dimensional sheet of paper! You can’t call the council, write to them, talk to their staff, look at their budget, nothing.
i think it is a sham..
Just remember Nancy Pelosi is a woman.
That whole summary by Nicole leaves out the most important contribution of Obama to women—Michelle has returned the 1st Lady to fashion leadership. Just what I wanted.
GHETTO FASHION
OK I did watch the full Monty on CSPAN of Ms. Hillary reporting to congress. The clips do not do her justice. Obama can take credit for putting our foreign policy in the best hands and mind available in this nation. Of course, he also gets to take credit for Sebelius and Napolitano, not to mention Romer. I guess all women are not brilliant; all men are not stupid. Who would have thought.
Only one female Justice.
Not sure where you are getting your 83% of government is men number. Love to see the source of that number.
According to the Division for the Advancement of Women at the UN the U.S. has one of the highest proportion of woman participating in government, at 33.1%, than almost every other nation in the world. Check the link. This study was done in 1996, so my guess is there are even more woman in government today.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/percent.htm
There is also this:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/womeninpolitics2008/FemmeEnPolitique_UK_BD.pdf
from the UN that shows the U.S. is about the same a most other large industrial nations in terms of woman participating in really meaningful roles and positions of power in government.
I would say Obama is off to a very good start on dealing with issues that woman care about.
I looked at your second reference. it lists the US below many African nations, including tied with Malawi in representation. I think you just made Amy’s point, both in the low numbers of women in gov, and the women out there who refuse to believe it.
& I believe ‘96 or ‘94 was the height of women in federal politics in the US, so NO, the number has dropped.
Chery,
It is a fact that there are only 17 women senators out of 100 (17%). Our congress also has the same ratio (17%).
The recent IPU study conducted that measured women in politics around the world ranked the US as #71 but given that there were several “ties” ahead of us we are actually 84th in the world.
I think it is up to the woman in this country to run for office.
Not sure woman have any more or less an advantage in the U.S. than they have say in Scandinavia where there are more woman participating.
the proof is in the doing. and Obama has LOTS of men in charge of things. we have not made much progress, and counting on society girl Valerie Jarrett is a bad thing to do.
and the image of the first lady via Michelle Obama has been taken back to a 1950s mentality….look nice and feed the poor. it is ridiculous to laud this woman. granted, she’s the first lady, but, let’s remember how the position was used by Hillary, Eleanor, or even Betty Ford. enough with the sleeveless, enough with the JCrew, enough with mommy sleevless. she has a brain, she should use it.
the proof is in the doing. and Obama has LOTS of men in charge of things. we have not made much progress, and counting on society girl Valerie Jarrett is a bad thing to do.
and the image of the first lady via Michelle Obama has been taken back to a 1950s mentality….look nice and feed the poor. it is ridiculous to laud this woman. granted, she’s the first lady, but, let’s remember how the position was used by Hillary, Eleanor, or even Betty Ford. enough with the sleeveless, enough with the JCrew, enough with mommy sleeveless. she has a brain, she should use it.
Give Michelle a break. She is strong, smart, well educated woman. It has been less than 4 months. I am sure she will have a very strong impact on whatever she does and whatever role she carves out for herself. She is likely to be a hell of a lot better than Laura Bush who did absolutely nothing.
Indiedogg thanks so much for saying everything you said. I am hoping you have two brothers since Paula was the first to ask. Yes man like you are more sexy than George Clooney any day.
But I have got to ask, why is it that women don’t realise that we really do not have equality, I know I was one of those who thought we did. Maybe that is because we are never thought that, we know racism is bad we know anti-semitism is bad because we are thought that from a very young age.
Which then brings me to ask why haven’t feminist fought to have women sufferage thought in school, why have we let men get away with calling us feminazi where commedians feel free to jokes about feminist and feminism. Would they be free to make jokes about the civil rights movement or Jewish groups or at the very least when they do will they get a free pass. No they will be labelled a racist or anti-semitic.
Excellent points.
Sexism is not taken seriously in this country. If you accuse someone of sexism, they practically laugh in your face and tell you to “get over it.” Sound familiar? Boy, did we hear plenty of that last year.
Call someone racist or anti-Semitic, and that is taken far more seriously.