My spouse published a column today that segues nicely from your tribute to International Women’s Day (on your blog):

Celebrating women as innovators and pioneers
http://bit.ly/bTxnrz

Thanks!

See what happens when women stand together and speak out.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

I think you’re making the valid point that if two lesbians have internalized the societal attitude that you’re inferior if you’re a woman, or that there is something wrong with you if you’re gay, then those beliefs have permeated the home.  But I was thinking of the opportunity existing for equality between the two partners 

But I’m wondering if they were never feminists to begin with.  They may even be that kind of woman who doesn’t like women much, see the human qualities that we allow women to exhibit as “weak”.  When I compare this type of woman to Hillary, there is a huge difference.  Certainly Hillary has risen higher than most of us ever will, and yet she is always working for “the underdog” – women, children, minorities. 

So I agree that women need to stop undermining each other, but I would add, that perhaps more women need to have a feminist consciousness for that to happen.  If the women choosing (or allowed) to “move up” have internalized the cultural superiority of “competition with no compassion” that successful men often subscribe to, there won’t be much change – women will keep undermining other women as well as any men who get in their way or report to them. 

We need to raise more women like Hillary, who are able to throw some elbows without losing their feminist consciousness.  But if they don’t start with that feminist consciousness (and personally, I hold the 3rd wave largely accountable for dropping the ball!), I don’t think there’s a lot of chance female bosses will suddenly “change”…..

I contacted Hillary’s office while thinking “yeah, right like I’ll ever hear from anybody”.  Although the First Lady’s office sent me a letter with a point of contact I was still skeptical.

A few days later I was called into the office at the VA hospital where I was an inpatient. They were in an uproar. It seems they’d received a call from the WH on my behalf from Hillary’s office. I was stunned.

Maybe, just maybe, Hillary took the job because she put aside her ego, and was willing to take the criticism she knew she’d receive from her supporters,  to try to help people.

There have been studies done on the different management styles of women v. men.  I tguess some women learned is that they have to be mean to be seen as effective bosses.  And that is because women are typically more collaborative than men are, who TELL people what to do.  Women, meanwhile, say things like, “If you wouldn’t mind, when you have time, could you possibly do x, y, z.”  ANd then are appreciative of the efforts.  But that is seen as WEAK, and as being less powerful.

We all have heard abt how women have been treated when they AREN’T collaborative like that – they get all kinds of labels, none of them good, whereas the men who act like that – telling people what to do, are seen as effective leaders.  It’s a double standard that continues…