The Shattered Glass Ceiling

[lildreamer316]

Something popped out at me just now as I was reading the New Yorker article on Gore. I think it's been stewing in the back of my brain for awhile-but I just became aware of it. It seems that, almost unconsciously, the glass ceiling has been shattered. But what is interesting is how, exactly, that happened. I'll explain that in a minute, but I'm sure I need to elaborate on the first assertion before moving on.

In reality; I'm aware the glass ceiling is there quite solidly for many women today, as is the color line for many minorities in this country. On an individual basis; I'm sure we still have quite a ways to go. What I am speaking of is the perception that a woman cannot aspire to hold the highest office in the land; or any of those very important cabinet posts that are viewed as the most powerful. Strangely enough; and to many Democrat's chagrin; this particular hurdle was crossed by the Bush administration. Condaleeza Rice has been a vital part of this administration from the beginning; and was vested immediately with UNQUESTIONED respect and power. Not one time have any of her assertions and decisions been derided by critics because she was a WOMAN. They have merely been criticized because they were BAD; or part and parcel of a patently inept administration.
On the opposing side of the isle (supposedly); we have Hillary. I'll spare you all the details; suffice it to say she has alienated most of the left by going too moderate and being more than a bit wishy-washy; although inexplicably still being called the "front-runner" for the Democratic nomination in '08. What hit me over the head; in trying to reconcile my dislike for Hillary with the fact that, as a woman; I think it would be a great step to have a female president; was that somewhere in all of the debate and chaos of the last five years; we seem to have (collectively) unconsciously assumed the glass ceiling isn't there; and have been acting on that assumption. Many people don't like Hillary, and Condi, because of their actions; stated beliefs and behavior as politicians; NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE WOMEN.
We didn't realize the ceiling had been shattered until a couple people were several rungs above it; even theoretically. What is the saying.."not with a bang, but with a whimper."? It seems that we are embarking upon an era where we will be judging our candidates more the way they SHOULD be judged...by their public policy decisions and actions; and not by their personal attributes (at least not as much). Maybe I'm being too optimistic; but I really don't think so.

So it seems that intangible but ever-present glass ceiling that women have been striving long and loud against, has been broken by the heel of Conaleeza Rice's Ferragamos. Now she gets to be judged on par with the members of the old boys club. I do find it ironic...but with a silver lining of hope.

The only constant is change; and progress happens when you least expect it.

Just my humble opinion. Please pardon me if this was blatantly obvious to everyone but me; I just felt it was
significant enough to be remarked upon.


Slight disclaimer: Anticipating any responses saying that other administrations have had women in powerful positions; I am putting Hillary and Condi in a class by themselves because many seem to think that both of them have/had a real and viable candidacy for the Presidency itself. I don't think any other women in recent memory had as close a chance

[pitohui]

1. hillary is hated for being a woman

sorry i don't get your argument

if hillary were a man no one would have a problem w. her, she'd be john breaux, one of the most popular and easy to get along w. senators on both sides of the aisle ever

but since she's a woman, she's a bitch


as far as condi, no one takes her seriously

[lindisfarne]

3. I agree. Also, there's the whole matter of her having been married to

a former president (NY Times has an article on that). Anything to rationalize dislike of her which is rooted in the fact she's a woman. Her (and her husband's) every action is scrutinized. Not that I think she's perfect and I have been a bit irked at some of her comments recently. But she is far more scrutinized (by the left as well as the right) than any of the males who are possible presidential contenders - I don't think it is all related to the fact that she's married to a former president - instead, it's a deeply hidden nervousness about her being a woman who might run for president.

Condiliar is a shill. Nothing more. Someone willing to always do what it takes for the team - personal integrity be damned.

[Chipper Chat]

2. But several women would have made great presidents.

Barbara Jordan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bella Abzug, Pat Schroeder, Madeline Albright, Shirley Temple, Shirley Chisholm, even Jean Kirkpatrick. Feel free to add others.
Hell, any ONE of them would have done a better job than Shrub.

[applegrove]

4. The glass ceiling has been broken all over the world. Surely you remember

Indira Ghandi? USA was just late to the table. As was Canada in some regards.

[Chipper Chat]

5. Well - since we're going back in time......

how 'bout Cleopatra?

[SoCalDem]

8. Eve?

:evilgrin: She seems to be the pivotal character in the Garden:) Adam seems to have been a bit of a wimp:)...and scared of snakes too :)

[Maddy McCall]

9. I'll settle for Madeline Albright or Janet Reno.

Like them or not, they preceded Rice (although not Cleo. :) ) It was the Clinton administration that put women in high positions--long before Bush thought to do it.

[Chipper Chat]

11. And El Rushbo continues to trash Albright.

I dont understand his hatred for her. Says she attempts "revisionist history" whenever she speaks. Madeline has way more credibility than Rush ever hopes to have.

[lildreamer316]

7. I was

definately speaking of just the US....yes; we are quite a ways behind.

[SoCalDem]

10. the schlocky movies of the 40's & 50's..and early TV

put women back a LOT.. Women were either harlot or Mom.. WWII proved how valuable women were to a workforce, but those Mom & Apple Pie purveyors sent them packing to the suburbs (probably MOST young women wanted to have babies and have their own household...but a LOT did not, and had to go anyway)

The iamge of the "single" woman was usually an embittered old maid, or a scheming tramp who wanted to steal husbands..

It's no wonder it's taken a long time for women to be taken seriously in business..

Women have always worked side by side with men on farms and family businesses.. the post-WWII era uniquely changed women's workplace roles, with the spotlight on the big corporation and non-family run businesses ..

Women's labor was needed "close to home", and was undervalued fromt he start, and never really got much better. Women saw college as their way out of ho-hum jobs .. the problem they faced in the 70's and beyond, was that men were not willing to work FOR them and sometimes not even WITH them (as equals)

It's getting better, but it will be a long time until women are truly equal..

Congress is no different..

Women still are scrutinized more than men.. No one comments in the paper about a male senator's snazzy shoes or how stunning he looked in his black boots..of how he got a perm and changed his whole look..

[hfojvt]

6. Condi is considered a viable candidate?

Yeah, right. Just like Powell was supposedly a viable candidate. Pundits may talk out of their a$$ as if either of those is possible, but I would think that the Republicans should produce some black Senators before anyone thinks a black Republican presidential candidate is even close to possible.
Elizabeth Dole was considered a viable candidate in 2000, but she quit without even giving the voters a chance because Bush had so much more money than her.
Perhaps it is Geena Davis who is making it seem possible.

[Demeter]

12. I Hate Hillary Because She's Doing Stupid Things, Not Because She's Female

If the definition of equality for women is that an incompetent gal has as much chance as an incompetent male of attaining higher office (by buying it) then we have reached equality. But not quality, which is what I'm working for! Quality has no gender.

[lukasahero]

13. "an incompetent gal has as much chance as an incompetent male "

Perhaps the definition of equality should include the day when women are referred to as women and not gals.

I'm sure you'll come back as saying this is nitpicking but you refer to men as male and women (who we are talking about as being seen as capable of running for the highest office in the country) as gals. A "gal" will never be elected president. Perhaps, someday, a woman will be.

[Fierce]

The glass ceiling isn't going to be broken

by one woman in a Cabinet. Otherwise this conversation would have ended with Frances Perkins.

And I disagree with you that people dislike Rice and HRC because of their actions. On either side, I see a lot more "stupid, ugly bitch" comments than comments that go over their beliefs and policies.

[Cerridwen]

14. I would love to agree with you...

There have been women throughout history who have made it into the rarefied ranks of the "male elite." Unfortunately, they rarely represent the lives or experiences of "rank and file" women.

They are quite frequently, anomalous tokens to be used as "proof" that women "have come a long way, baby."

When those things deemed and demeaned as "women's issues" become as paramount in our collective conscience as issues which are integral to our collective survival, then I will believe that women have broken the "glass ceiling." When epithets toward others do not include words which imply the target is "feminine" and therefore weaker and more deserving of contempt, then I will believe that women have broken the "glass ceiling." When 3/4 of the hours worked worldwide and which is categorized as "women's work" is awarded its economic value in our capitalistic world which equates monetary worth with value, then I will believe women have broken the "glass ceiling." When caring and creating and nurturing, typically designated "feminine" and weaker and less than, are at least as important and valued as contempt and destruction and emotional distance, then I will believe that women have broken the "glass ceiling."

Until that time...I would love to agree with you...