Women Legislators Speak at Archives

From left to right: Rep. Grace Napolitano, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Gov. Madeleine Kunin, Rep. Mazie Hirono, Lt. Gov. Jennette Bradley, and Eleanor Clift

By The Queen of Free

Anger and passion are not always negative. Use them!

As fuel for internal fire to make living conditions better for you and your children. To drive you like it propelled into politics female legislators who made up a panel Thursday night at National Archives: "Big Strides, Diverse Paths: Women's Journeys to Political Leadership."

The marvelous, the sharp, the witty Eleanor Clift served as moderator. (Now really, is there any better talk show on Sunday than “The McLaughlin Hour”? Eleanor started off the evening with “Well, it’s nice to be able to finish a sentence.”)

The presenters’ diversity was commendable: one Latino (Rep. Grace Napolitano,D-CA), an Asian American (Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-HI), an African-American (Jennette Bradley, former Lt. Governor, Ohio), and two Caucasians (Madeline Kunin, former governor, Vermont, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN).

Throughout the evening the panelists addressed their remarks to prospective candidates.

Strong mothers were identified as major components of the political successes of Gov. Kunin and Rep. Hirono.

After she protested the Vietnam War Rep. Hirono said she “eased” into political life “unlike the guys {who} never let incompetence stop them.”

Gov. Kunin said her worry and anger over railroad tracks which her children had to cross daily on their way to school ignited her political career. “I learned you can fight city hall,” she said. She collected signatures and learned to speak before groups, all great experiences for later political battles.

“Be angry about something, be imaginative, and be an optimist,” she suggested.

Rep. Blackburn frequently endorsed the advantages of having a non-risk adverse personality which voters perceive as an attribute. Women are usually not risk-adverse, she noted.

Rep. Napolitano’s parents divorced when she was 3 ½, and she began working at age 12 and has never stopped. She has a high school education.

“Use common sense,” she recommended. Her most important role in California, she said, is to represent “the people who sent me” to Congress. (Who in Congress would disagree?)
“Believing you can makes a difference” makes a difference, she said. Her children “hate” politics but “they’ve learned to accept it…You sacrifice your personal life." Be prepared to skip your daughter’s dance recital and your children’s sporting events.

And by the way, “Develop a thick skin because they’re going to come after you with everything but the kitchen sink.”

Former Lt. Governor Bradley, the first African-American female to win a lieutenant gubernatorial slot in the nation, said she refused to believe the naysayers who said she had no chance of winning since she was 1. Running against an incumbent and 2. Is black. The perceptions increased her anger and motivation. Other women helped.

Gov. Kunin, the author of Pearls, Politics and Power and Living a Political Life, said “Politics is not a dirty word.” Nor is “power.”

Why is it that more women than men need to be asked to run than run?

“Don’t wait to be asked,” Gov. Kunin urged the crowd. “Ask yourself.”

The panel noted female representation in Iraq’s parliament is mandated (what is the origin of that word?) at 25% and at 27% in Afghanistan, but in the U.S. where it is not mandated, only 17% of representatives in Congress are female.

Rep. Blackburn said being a PTA mother, hosting birthday parties and fundraising for non-profits are all good experiences for running a campaign.

Knowing how to speak, write, and read help, too, said Gov. Kunin.

Rep. Hirono said women must learn to open their checkbooks to political races like they open them to buy shoes.

Rep. Napolitano took loans out on her home to finance her race while Gov. Kunin never used her own money. She had to ask for it.

“Get over your fear of failure,” Lt. Gov. Bradley said. “What you don’t know, you can learn.”

When Ms. Clift queried the group about obstacles Rep. Blackburn noted it was her own fear of failure and worry about what people would think if she lost.

The audience, which almost filled the William McGowan Theater, was about 90% female, mixed ages, mostly Caucasian.

“George,” a 20-something who said his major was women’s studies, asked what men can do to spur more female candidates.

Rep. Napolitano: “Volunteer!”

Eleanor Clift: “Share the housework and child care!”

Gov. Kunin: “Be emotionally supportive.”

Another question from the audience concerned media bias against female candidates and Ms. Clift noted the cable news networks are male dominated with a lot of time to fill.

Gov. Kunin urged women to get mad and push back.

Introducing the panel, Carol Hardy-Fanta, the director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at U. Mass., a sponsor, noted that the U.S. is certainly not a model for female political achievement since the U.S. ranks 71st in Democratic countries in female membership percentage in a national congress or parliament.

How do you enter politics?

Unanimous group answer: “Volunteer!” Ask questions, keep up with the news.

Gov. Kunin: “Be curious. Hold on to your ideals.”

Lt. Gov. Bradley: “You must be willing to break barriers.” She did. We can.