Woman's Work

Many years ago (about 1995 or so), I had a discussion with a colleague about women in politics and how far women had advanced (or not). My friend was upbeat that there were so many women in politics today and that they were there because of their own prowess instead of because of who they were married to. She even declared that we would see a woman as president soon.

Ever the pessimist, I shook my head and said I was not hopeful at the prospect. "Until we get to the point where we don't discuss the First Lady's hair or whether or not she is pear-shaped, we won't have a woman president," I said gloomily.

With the presumed ascension of Nancy Pelosi to Speaker of the House, I am still not entirely optimistic. From George Bush's inelegant joke about suggesting decorators for the Speaker's office to Glenn Beck and Joel Mowbray saying she has a scary face, Pelosi's femaleness is taking up almost as much air time as her plans for running the House.

Both Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi are from one of the first generations of national female politicians, and they know the tightrope they have to walk between being too female (a la the Clinton cleavage scandal) or not female enough (because of her clothes and hair problems, Hillary can pass as a tough guy). But still, is it too much to ask that people quit talking about Pelosi's hair and makeup and just talk about what she wants to do in the House?! Thank you.