By Pam Hadder
My Mom is downsizing – she has finally sold the four-bedroom
family home and is moving into a swank, green energy, 50+ apartment. I am very proud of her practicality and spunk
– she is looking forward to NOT shoveling snow, raking leaves and paying
property taxes! She has been so great at
letting go of the old and embracing change – I am very proud of her in all
ways. During the de-junking phase of Mom’s big move, we came across many
interesting papers and trinkets – lots of things we had forgotten. Some of the items are enjoying renewed
significance, whereas much of it was just garbage. For me, one of the treasures was an old issue
of Homemaker’s Magazine (April 1993). On
the cover is a smiling, confident Hillary Clinton – just four months into her
role as America’s First Lady.
The corresponding article was called “The Hillary Factor”
and was written by Jocelyn Laurence – I skimmed through the paragraphs and
images, and was struck by how much was different and also by how much was very
much the same! It made me realize how
little ground we have made as women in political life – half the North American
population is still being marginalized while the boys hold court. Women who dare to enter the lion’s den are
mocked and belittled and as such female perspectives are gravely absent from
our political process.
Feminist hopes were very high for Hillary at that time:
“whatever you might feel about her … politics…her attitudes and actions will
put a new spin on the role of the political spouse and equality between the
sexes.” Further, Laurence commented on
the “confusion engendered by a smart woman in a position of power” – instead of
smiling on the sidelines, Hillary was visible and engaged in her own working
priorities both on the campaign trail and later at the White House, where she
got the press in a frenzy by occupying three offices. There is no doubt that Hillary Rodham Clinton
inspired women and girls to grab their hopes and dreams by the collar and hang
on.
The writer parallels Hillary’s experience with Canadian
first ladies, Maureen McTeer and Mila Mulroney, describing the flack these
bright women faced because “they decided to do something other than buy
designer gowns and meet interior decorators.” McTeer was characterized as
“strident” and Mulroney was unfairly typecast as “an expensive ornament.” Hillary had similarly been vilified by the
press as “the yuppie wife from hell,” among many other insulting and demeaning
statements – remember all the fuss about her hair bands for goodness sake? The Homemaker’s article reminded me of the
ridiculous preoccupation with Hillary’s physical attributes versus crediting
her for sparkling intelligence and her many admirable capabilities and
accomplishments. Despite any
bad-mouthing of Hillary and Bill’s partnership in politics, Clinton was elected
and the rest is history. A respected
contributor to the Clinton administration, the former First Lady has continued
to be a great influence and political leader in her own right, being elected to
the Senate in 2001, and serving as the 67th Secretary of State
(2009-2013).
Now Hillary Clinton is considering running for the
Presidency – I for one, hope that she does run!
Can you imagine – at long last – a female President in America? She is more than qualified to handle the job;
if only America will look at her extraordinary abilities, breadth of relevant
and valuable political experience. Can
you imagine the media focusing on her abilities versus on her gender, her shoes,
her hair; etc.? In 1993 a Newsweek poll
showed 49% of American women thought favorably of Hillary and that 46%
supported her taking an active role in her spouse’s Presidency – over 20 years
have passed, polls will come again; have North American women made progress in
gender equity, or will Hillary have to run the same patriarchal gauntlet?
