Hillary Clinton's candidacy represents the strong leadership roles that women are taking in politics
Kristin McClain
North Lake History Professor Dr. Yolanda Romero said that if Hillary Clinton can win the presidential election in 2008, "Women will gain new respect in all walks of life, especially as leaders in government and big business.
"Women will no longer be seen as helpless and not able to compete with men. Politics will lose the stereotype of being a man's world," she said.
According to an Aug. 1, 2007 report published on Pollster. com, Sen. Hillary Clinton leads Sen. Barack Obama 43 percent to 22 percent in a national primary, and the other Democratic contenders trail behind them. If Clinton manages this win, she will be the first female to win either the Republican or Democratic nomination. Then, the outcome of the general election would determine whether or not a first in our history will occur: The first female president.
John Hitt, professor of government at NLC, believes that Clinton has a shot at the nomination, but that it would not be a good choice for the Democratic Party. "I would like to believe that this society has progressed to the point that a Hillary or an Obama or a Juan could be elected on their merits and qualifications." he said. "But, the reality is, people are still full of hatred and biases and prejudices against people different from them."
Instructor Nancee Ott said, "If Clinton wins, it would cause unease among other countries because of how they feel about a woman's place being by her husband's side. Also, I think it would cause problems here in the U.S. We still have people that feel like a woman's place is in the home."
No matter what your take is on how the election will play out, there is no doubt that Clinton has major advantages, as well as major disadvantages, all which center on her gender. For example: Clinton's chances of winning depend partially on a demographic that typically does not vote - young women. The interesting part of this is that we will see people voting for her simply because she is a woman and people who will not vote her for the same reason. We are in for some discrimination as well as reverse discrimination. The sad part of this is that Clinton has the experience and know-how to do the job as president, but this might not be what gets her the vote.
Clinton is not the first woman to run for President. In 1872, Victoria Woodhull reached that mile marker. This was before women even had the right to vote. However, it was Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to congress, who came the closest to winning the Democratic nomination in 1972. Two other women, Linda Jenness and Evelyn Reed, ran for president in the same election under a third party: The Socialist Workers Party. The election was won, however, by Republican Richard Nixon.
Women like these are paving the way for the next generation of women and demolishing traditional gender roles. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women comprised 46 percent of the total U.S. labor force in 2006, and "Women accounted for 51 percent of all workers in the highpaying management, professional, and related occupations."
This changes everything. Women have become a force to be reckoned with.
Clinton's candidacy represents the change in the role of women that we have been progressing toward for some time. We are shifting our perception of women, thus, illuminating them as they truly are, as strong, capable, and independent.
Clinton's candidacy symbolizes the power of women today. Naturally, there are going to be those who criticize Clinton's politics, or dismiss her altogether. Whether it is Clinton or another candidate, our country has evolved, and is ready to embrace change.
Clinton is not the first women to run for President, and she certainly won't be the last.
- Kristin McClain is a North Lake student and a contributing writer to the News-Register.